Dr Amit K Walvekar
Specialist – Dentistry – Periodontics
Healthspring World Clinic
Let’s face it, accidents happen — and if you’ve had an injury to the teeth, mouth or jaw, you need to see a dentist right away. Putting off dental treatment for a dental emergency now only increases the risk of permanent damage later, which could translate into more extensive and expensive treatment down the road.
Pain is your body’s signal that something is wrong. It also means it’s time to seek treatment for something you might have been putting off for a while.
Here’s what constitutes a dental emergency, and tips for dealing with emergencies:
Bitten Lip or Tongue: Clean the area and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, see your dentist right away or go to a hospital emergency room.
Broken Tooth: Save any pieces of the broken tooth and rinse your mouth out with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the area to decrease swelling and pain until you can be seen by an emergency dentist.
Knocked Out Tooth: Gently rinse off the knocked out tooth without removing any attached tissue. If possible, hold the tooth in place in the socket. Otherwise, put the tooth in a glass of milk and get to an dentist right away.
Object Stuck in Teeth: Carefully try to remove the object with dental floss. (Don’t try using a sharp instrument instead!) If you’re unable to dislodge the object with dental floss, contact your dentist.
Toothache: Rinse your mouth out with warm water. Then use dental floss to make sure there isn’t any food or other debris causing the pain. If the pain persists, call your dentist.
Lost Dental Filling or Dental Crown: For dental fillings, seal the area with a piece of sugarless gum. If the crown falls off, make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the crown with you. Do not use super glue to slip the crown back over the tooth.
Dental Abscess: If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gums, rinse with salt water and immediately contact an emergency dentist. Dental abscesses can lead to more serious infections if not treated promptly.
Prevention is better than cure
Maintaining good oral hygiene is the best way to help prevent a dental emergency. Along with regular brushing and flossing, avoid chewing on ice, hard candy or popcorn kernels, which could potentially crack teeth without you even knowing. And don’t force your teeth to tear open a package — use the scissors instead. If you play sports, wear a mouthguard to cushion your teeth from excessive force or trauma.
Regular dental visits allow your dentist to diagnose and treat problems before they become more severe or painful.
