Tips for Dealing with Dental Emergencies
Bitten Lip or Tongue
Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room immediately. Stitches may be required.
Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call us immediately if the situation is painful. Make an appointment as soon as possible to prevent further, irreversible damage. For a broken tooth contact us at 281-580-0770.
Jaw-Possibly Broken
Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital emergency department immediately or to an oral surgeon. You can contact us at 281-580-0770.
Knocked Out Tooth
Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it’s dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket then close teeth together to position the tooth where it belongs. If that isn’t possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. Let us know you’re on your way by calling us at 281-580-0770. Remember to take the tooth with you!
Objects Caught Between Teeth
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact us at 281- 580-0770.
Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth. Put ice on the outside of your face where there is pain. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. Never put a heating pad on a swollen face as it will only increase the swelling. Contact us at 281-580-0770 for treatment as soon as possible even if the pain recedes. The pain will return if left untreated.
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