Medical emergencies always drive us berserk, but it is moments like those when we need to stay the calmest and act in a relaxed manner. Medical emergencies can happen anytime and be of different kinds. For example, a knocked-out tooth or a hard-bitten tongue should also be considered a medical emergency.
Kinds of Oral Emergencies
Oral emergencies can be of various kinds:
- Broken or chipped tooth
- Loss of filling
- Broken brace or wires
- Facial fracture
- Infection in gum or inside the mouth
- Injury to any soft-tissue
Ways to Deal During a Dental Emergency
Read the following to know what you need to do during dental emergencies:
Toothache
A toothache usually results in swollen gum, so first, rinse your mouth with warm water and then apply a cold compress on the outside to reduce swelling. Then, visit your dentist and consult them before taking any painkillers or any kind of medications.
Broken Or Chipped Teeth
Rinse the broken tooth or any piece of it and keep it in a jar or milk to retain the moisture. Next, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress near the broken tooth to relieve the pain. If there is bleeding, apply gauze or cotton on that area to stop it and then rush to the doctor.
Losing A Filling
Before visiting the doctor, stick a piece of sugarless gum inside the cavity as a temporary measure (sugar-filled gum can irritate).
Broken Brace Or Wires
If a wire accidentally breaks or sticks out of the brace, try pushing it in place with the eraser end of your pencil to a comfortable position where it does not hurt your mouth. If you cannot do so, stick a piece of cotton or gauze to prevent it from hurting your gum, tongue, or inner cheek. Do not cut the wire since you can accidentally swallow it.
Injury to Any Soft Tissue
Injuries to the inner cheek, tongue, gum, or lips fall in this category. First, rinse with warm water and apply a cold compress to control bleeding from such areas. Next, use a moistened cotton padding or a tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding area. If the bleeding does not stop, rush to the ER immediately.
Dr. Jeanne V. Devi, DDS offers emergency dental care services in Pasadena, California. Call us at (626) 795-2544 or visit our website for more details and scheduling appointments. We are located at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101.
