Hello Friends!

I stumbled upon a great info-graphic* about handling common dental emergencies and thought it would be a great topic to review.

Pain and Sensitivity – Can be caused by an abscess or an exposed nerve from a lost filling or crown.  If tolerable, rinse with warm salt water to help reduce swelling.  Schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately, as an infection can spread quickly and become worse.  An abscessed tooth may need antibiotics and a root canal.  If the damage is severe, the tooth may need to be extracted.

Broken Tooth – Save any pieces of the tooth you may find.  Rinse your mouth and tooth fragments with warm water.  Apply gauze if there is bleeding and contact your dentist.  Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth may help with discomfort.  If decay is to blame, the nerve could be in danger and may need a root canal.

Knocked-out Permanent Tooth –   Hold the tooth by the crown (top) not the root.  Rinse the tooth with warm water if it is dirty, but do not scrub it.  Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket, making sure it’s facing the right way.  If you can’t, put the tooth in a cup of milk or warm salt water on your way to the dentist.  Contact your dentist immediately.  Knocked-out teeth have the best chance of being saved if treated within 1 hour of the trauma.

Of course, if you have any questions about the information listed above, please visit our website at http://www.brunnerfamilydental.com or give our office a call and we’d be happy to help.

Yours in good dental health

Brunner Family Dental

* The info graphic I found was thanks in part to Park 56 Dental in New York and can be seen at http://visual.ly/how-handle-common-dental-emergencies

The above information is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition or disease, but simply to provide information that may be beneficial.  Always contact your dental provider or seek medical attention for dental concerns.

Advertisement