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Dental Emergency Procedures
| Toothache |
|
Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out.
Use dental floss to remove any food that might be trapped between
the teeth. Do not place aspirin on the aching tooth or gum
tissues. See your dentist as soon as possible. |
| Problems
with Braces and Retainers |
|
If a wire is causing irritation, cover the end with a
small cotton ball, beeswax or a piece of gauze, until you can get to
the dentist. If a wire gets stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum
tissue, do not attempt to remove it. Go to your dentist
immediately. If an appliance becomes loose or a piece of it
breaks off, take the appliance and the piece and go to the dentist. |
| Knocked-Out
Tooth |
|
If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently in running
water. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue
fragments. Gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket.
If this is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or when
milk is not available, in a cup of cool water. Go immediately
to your dentist (within 30 minutes if possible). Don't forget
to bring the tooth! |
| Broken
Tooth |
|
Gently clean dirt from the injured area with warm
water. Place cold compresses on the face, in the area of the
injured tooth, to decrease swelling. Go to the dentist
immediately. |
| Bitten
Tongue or Lip |
|
Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a
clean cloth. If swelling is present, apply cold compresses.
If bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room. |
| Objects
Caught Between Teeth |
|
Try to removed the object with floss. Guide the
floss carefully to avoid cutting the gums. If you're not
successful in removing the object, go to the dentist. Do not
try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument. |
| Possible
Broken Jaw |
|
Do not move the jaw. Secure the jaw in place by
trying a handkerchief, necktie, or towel around the jaw and over the
top of the head. If swelling is present, apply cold
compresses. Go immediately to a hospital emergency room, or
call your dentist. |
Being prepared for a dental emergency is not accident. It takes a
little time and thought, but by knowing what to do before an accident happens,
you may someday save a tooth - yours or someone else's
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