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Before an Emergency ever occurs:
Make sure that your dentist has after hours coverage meaning that
he/she or a partner is available to take care of dental emergencies.
Keep your dentist's emergency number readily available (carry it in
your wallet or organizer, for example)
If you're not sure if a dental problem is an
emergency, we offer this advice: If you have pain, it's an emergency.
This is because even injuries that seem small or superficial can
affect the living tissues inside the tooth.
Even if you aren't in much pain, any structural damage
to a tooth — from a sports injury, for example — should be
considered an emergency. Chips or fractures can affect the living
tissue inside the tooth, causing more problems in the future. Your
dentist can prevent the damage from getting worse.
The same is true of a lost filling or crown. Even if
you don't have any symptoms, the tooth has lost its support and it
could easily become weaker. Pieces could break off or crumble, and you
would need more extensive treatment. If you see your dentist right
away, there's a good chance he or she will be able to repair the
damage with minimal treatment. Quick treatment improves the odds of
saving injured or damaged teeth.
The most common dental emergencies include
Tooth/teeth knocked out
Partially dislodged (extruded)
tooth
BROKEN/ FRACTURED /CHIPPED
TOOTH OR FILLING
SWOLLEN JAW
Severe Toothaches
Wisdom teeth erupting
Possible Broken Jaw
Bitten Tongue or Lip
Something Caught Between Your
Teeth
BLEEDING AFTER AN EXTRACTION
BROKEN DENTURE, Temporary
bridge OR PLATE
Injury to the soft tissue in
the mouth
Lost filling
Dislodged crown/cap/bridge
Pus from the gums
It is important to know what to do in case of an
emergency
These general tips and guidance are NO substitute for
seeking professional, personal advice from your Dentist or Doctor
immediately.
1. Tooth/teeth
knocked out
All teeth, even baby teeth, are important. Many
parents are under the false impression that baby teeth are less
important because they will eventually be replaced.
This is absolutely not true. Baby teeth serve several
important functions including, acting as spacers creating enough room
in the jaw so that permanent teeth can come in, aiding in proper
speech development, and serving to help build self-esteem in the newly
independent child. For a parent, seeing a child lose a tooth in an
accident is always difficult. Such injuries often result in bleeding
in the mouth and can be anxiety provoking for the child as well.
Knowing how to prevent dental injury and what to do in case an
accident occurs can save your child's teeth.
• Time is the enemy when a tooth is knocked out. If
a dentist is seen within one hour
after an accident, chances are good that the
tooth can be re-implanted and saved. If
the tooth is put back in
place within 10 minutes, it has a fair chance
of taking root again. After
2 hours, the chances are poor.
• Make sure that you do not touch the root of the
tooth with your hands. The root is
the portion of the tooth embedded in the gum
and not normally seen. The tooth
should be picked up by the
crown only and must not be allowed to dry.
• Rinse the tooth off very gently to make sure it is
clean. Do not scrub the tooth or
remove any tissue that is attached to
it. Be sure to place a towel or wash cloth in
the sink so that it does not go
down the drain.
• When the tooth is clean, tuck it between the cheek
and gum or, preferably, gently
place the tooth back into its own
socket. Make sure it's facing the right way. .
Ask the patient to hold the tooth in
place If this is not possible or if you are
afraid that the tooth
might be swallowed, place it in a glass
containing either saliva or milk.
The tooth has a better chance of
surviving if it's kept in its natural
environment. Another option is to put
the tooth in a container of milk, or spit into
a cup and place the tooth in the
cup with the saliva. The most important thing
is to keep the tooth moist. Use a cup of
water if nothing else is available.
• You will need to take the tooth with you and get
to your dentist immediately. If
greater than 24 hours has passed, then
there is little chance at all of
re-implantation working.
2. Partially
Dislodged (Extruded) Tooth
What You Can Do
When a tooth is partially loosened or dislodged from its socket,
dentists call it an extruded tooth. As long as the nerve and blood
vessels remain intact, an extruded tooth may be saved without
root-canal treatment, depending on how displaced it is. If the tooth
is pushed out of place (inward or outward), it should be repositioned
to its normal alignment with very light finger pressure. Do not force
the tooth into the socket. Hold the tooth in place with a moist tissue
or gauze. It is vital that a dentist see the injured individual as
quickly as possible. You can apply a cold pack or ice to relieve pain
until you reach the dental office.
What Your Dentist Will Do
Your dentist will clean the area and then put the
tooth back in the right position. He or she may use a plastic splint
or orthodontic wire brackets to keep the tooth stable until it has a
chance to heal.
If the nerves or blood vessels were damaged, your
dentist may recommend root canal treatment to prevent the tooth from
becoming discolored or developing an abscess, which is an infection.
The dentist should do a series of tests to determine if the nerve has
been damaged. These tests also may have to be done at follow-up
appointments because the tests may not be accurate right after the
tooth is injured.
3. Broken/Fracytured/Chipped/
Tooth or Filling
Teeth are remarkably strong, but
they can chip, fracture or break. Teeth usually break as a result of
trauma — from biting down on something hard, for example, or from a
blow to the face. A child may fracture a tooth falling off a bike or
curb during play. Cavities that have weakened the tooth also can cause
chipping or fractures.
If your tooth breaks, the first thing you should do is
contact your dentist immediately. You should also clean your mouth out
by rinsing thoroughly with water. Apply a cold compress to the area to
minimize any swelling. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent
infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Find the
broken tooth fragments and bring the pieces with you, they may be able
to be "cemented" back together. Follow your doctors
instructions. If your child is experiencing pain or sensitivity in the
affected tooth, it may indicate that the tooth nerve may be injured.
The dentist can perform a root canal or other necessary procedure to
save the tooth. Afterwards, The tooth may also need to be restored
with a composite filling. This tooth may need a full permanent crown
to protect if from further breakage and tooth loss
4. Swollen Jaw
A swollen jaw may have several reasons. When
associated with an accident, it may indicate a fracture of the jaw.
When it is in connection with a decayed tooth, a swelling indicates an
infection. Sometimes a swellingof the jaw following an extraction may
mean that the extraction wound is infected. In any case, DO NOT APPLY
HEAT TO THE AREA. Do not put a heating pad, a hot water bottle, or any
other source of heat on your jaw. Heat will make things worse instead
of better. Apply a cold compress instead by taking some ice in a
plastic bag or handkerchief. Call the dentist immediately.
5. Severe Toothaches
Remember, pain is often a poor health signal as it's
usually a LATE sign of trouble!
Never put any pain killers, including aspirin, on the
gum because it can burn the gum tissue. Clean your mouth out by
rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Gently floss around the tooth to
remove any food particles that may be caught there. If your tooth
continues to hurt, you should call your dentist as soon as possible. A
toothache can result from several dental problems. The more the tooth
is bothering you before you go to the dentist the more difficult it is
for the dentist to treat you comfortably. Regular dental check ups and
dental cleanings can help prevent toothaches.
6. Wisdom teeth erupting
When only part of the tooth has erupted into the
mouth, it can create a flap of gum tissue that easily holds food
particles and debris and is a hotbed for bacteria. Pericoronitis or
infection and swelling also can occur around a wisdom tooth that has
not erupted at all and is still under the gums.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
• Painful, swollen gum tissue in the area of the affected tooth,
which can make it difficult to bite down comfortably without catching
the swollen tissue between your teeth
• A bad smell or taste in the mouth
• Discharge of pus from the gum near the tooth
More serious symptoms include:
• Swollen lymph nodes near the chin
• Muscle spasms in the jaw
• Swelling on the affected side of the face
Pericoronitis can be managed with antibiotics and warm salt water
rinses, and the condition should go away in approximately one week.
However, if the partially erupted tooth fails to completely enter the
mouth and food debris and bacteria continue to accumulate under the
flap of gums, pericoronitis will more than likely return.
Prevention
You can help to prevent pericoronitis by practicing good oral hygiene
on any erupting wisdom tooth to make sure that food particles and
bacteria do not accumulate under the gums. However, if these steps do
not work and pericoronitis returns, it may be necessary to have the
overlying flap of gum tissue removed. In some cases, the wisdom tooth
may need to be extracted.
Treatment
Pericoronitis can be tricky to treat because the flap of gum tissue
won't go away until the wisdom tooth emerges naturally or until the
tissue is removed.
Your dentist will clean the area thoroughly to remove damaged tissue
or pus. If the area is infected, you'll be given oral antibiotics.
Your dentist will give you instructions for keeping the area clean,
which is the best way to prevent the problem from returning. This
usually involves brushing and flossing daily and rinsing your mouth
with water several times a day. This will help prevent food particles
from accumulating in the area.
In some cases, your dentist may suggest you have your tooth extracted
once pericoronitis is under control. If your dentist thinks the tooth
may erupt fully into the mouth without problems, he or she may leave
it alone. However, if pericoronitis recurs, the tooth may be
extracted.
Pericoronitis that causes symptoms should be treated as soon as
possible. If you are experiencing symptoms of pericoronitis, make an
appointment to see your dentist. If your wisdom teeth are coming in,
visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups. During
those visits, he or she can check on the progress of your wisdom
teeth.
7. Possible Broken Jaw
If your jaw hurts when it is moved or you cannot close
your mouth in a normal manner and this is accompanied with pain and
swelling, your jaw may be broken. If you suspect you or someone else
has a broken jaw, do not move it. The jaw should be secured in place
with a handkerchief, necktie or towel tied around the jaw and over the
top of the head. Cold compresses should be used to reduce swelling. Go
immediately to a hospital emergency room, or call your dentist.
8. Bitten Tongue or Lip
If you have bitten your tongue or
lip, gently wipe the area clean with a cloth. Apply a cold compress to
the area to stop bleeding and minimize any swelling. If the bleeding
will not stop, you should contact your dentist. If the wound is large,
it may require stitches.
9. Something Caught Between
Your Teeth
The longer a food particle stays
trapped between the gum and tooth, the greater the chance the gum will
become irritated and infected and the pain will get worse. If you
develop an infection, called an abscess, it can become a serious
health problem if left untreated.
Gently insert a piece of dental floss or a dental flosser. Be very
careful not to cut the gum tissue. If you are unable to remove the
object, contact your dentist. Never use a sharp/pointed instrument
object to try and remove something that is stuck in between your
teeth, it will only cut the gum . If you can’t remove it, contact
the dentist
10. BLEEDING AFTER AN EXTRACTION
Slight bleeding after an extraction
is normal. Clots usually form within one hour if you follow doctor’s
post-op instructions. Apply pressure by biting on the thick gauze pad
over the extraction site. Avoid rinsing, drinking or eating for at
least one hour following the extraction. Avoid sucking, spitting, and
smoking All of these activities will compromise healing and increase
the chances of infection.
11. Broken denture/bridge
Save all the parts of your broken
complete or partial denture or bridge. Call your dentist. If it is
possible it may be repaired or it may need to be replaced as soon as
possible. Temporary bridges, plates and dentures can keep you
comfortable until the permanent one is repaired or replaced Always
clean Dentures over a towel or bowl of water etc, to prevent damage if
dropped.
12. Injury to soft tissue
in the mouth
These include tear, puncture wounds
or lacerations to the cheek, lips or tongue.
• Soft tissue injuries usually do not bleed a lot, but when they do,
the injury can seem worse than it really is. When the blood mixes with
saliva, it may look like you are bleeding a lot. In most cases, the
bleeding should stop within a few minutes.
• Clean the area right away with water.
• If the bleeding continues, press a damp piece of gauze against the
injured area for 10 to 15 minutes. If you don't have gauze, you can
use a clean piece of material that will soak up blood and saliva.
Maintain pressure on the area until you can be treated.
• To relieve pain, slow the bleeding, and reduce swelling, hold ice
to the area for five or 10 minutes.
• If the bleeding doesn't stop within a few minutes, the injury may
be serious and you will need to see a doctor right away.
• If the wound has occurred due to the metal parts of an orthodontic
appliance, do not attempt to remove any part that may be lodged in the
tissue. Try to stop the bleeding and take the patient to a dentist
immediately.
• Bleeding from the tongue can be reduced by pulling the tongue
forward and using gauze to place pressure on the wound area.
• Go to the doctor/hospital if the bleeding does not stop or it is a
large wound that may need stitches
13. Lost filling
If you lose a filling or a crown,
the nerve inside the tooth may be exposed, and you may feel severe
pain when air or hot or cold substances touch the uncovered part of
the tooth.
14. Dislodged crown/cap
Crowns are precision made and
cemented on top of the tooth. Occasionally, the crown comes off. This
leaves the tooth unprotected, and often sensitive. Try to snap the
crown back on and go to your dentist immediately. Never wait more than
a day to get a crown re-cemented. You don't want to wait too long
because the tooth will be weak and could be damaged more if it is not
protected by the crown..Teeth move and shift very quickly without the
crown in place. If this happens your crown may no longer fit. It s not
possible to reuse the crown if the teeth have shifted significantly,
requiring the dentist to have to make a new crown.
What Your Dentist Will Do
If the tooth is structurally sound and the crown still fits properly,
your dentist will clean the area and then replace the crown.If the
tooth has been affected by decay, your dentist will need to prepare
the tooth again by removing the decay and then making a new filling or
crown to replace the old one.
15. Pus from the gums
Pus formation in the mouth can be
detected by a bad taste and foul odour from the mouth. Pus is a sure
sign of harmful bacterial activity. The pus may be formed due to an
infection in the gums or due to infected nerve tissue in a tooth root.
In both cases pus formation will be seen in the gums. This may be
accompanied by pain in the area. If a small boil containing pus forms
and drains repeatedly in connection with a tooth, it is usually a case
of infected nerve tissue. Root canal treatment will bring such a tooth
back to its healthy state. If ignored, such an infection spreads to
neighbouring teeth and infects them as well.
SMOKING WILL DELAY ALL HEALING
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE DENTIST’S OFFICE
When you arrive at the dentist's office, he or she will do an oral
examination to see which tooth is bothering you and then diagnose the
source of the pain. Your dentist may also want to take x-rays to help
in the diagnosis. Treatment can then begin to alleviate the pain and
address the problem.
Preventing Dental Injuries
• The best way to prevent a dental emergency is to properly protect
your teeth.
• If you play contact sports like football or hockey, wear a
protective mouth guard. Increasingly, dentists are recommending that
children engaged in sports wear mouth guards. Not only do mouth guards
protect teeth but they also protect lips, gums, and cheeks. Commonly
there are two types of mouth guards: Semi-formable mouth guards are
available in sporting good stores and in drug stores. Often these
mouth guards can be boiled to fit allowing them to sit snugly against
the teeth. Dentist made mouth guards are custom made. The dentist
creates a mold of the mouth which is used to create the mouth guard.
Consequently, these mouth guards fit more securely against the teeth
affording the best protection. Another way to reduce the risk of
dental injury is to watch out for situations that commonly lead to
injury. These are some of the more common:Forks and Spoons - Believe
it or not, some injuries are self-inflicted when people, not paying
attention, crack or chip their teeth with spoons or forks as they eat
• Don't chew ice, pens, or
pencils. never open a bottle cap by using teeth.
Trips and Falls - Falling into furniture and down stairs often causes
dental injury. This is most likely to occur when children are first
learning to stand using furniture to maintain balance. Child proof
your home Children who are just learning to walk also have a tendency
to fall down - often onto household furniture or other items. If you
have an infant make sure to child-proof your home before they become
mobile, usually around 12 - 16 months.
• Brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
• Floss daily.
See your dentist for regular dental cleanings and check-ups. Make sure
your children are belted safely in their stroller and car seat. Wear
helmets while biking, skateboarding & roller blading
• Use seat-belts for the entire
family while traveling. Wear a custom made mouth guard while in
“school” sports and during weekend sports and activities If you
are away from home, be sure to carry your doctor’s business card. So
if you have a problem you can call for a telephone consultation so he
can help you decide whether you need to seek immediate dental care.
• Don't use your teeth to open
paper clips or function as tools.
• If you smoke a pipe, don't bite
down on the stem.
• If you grind your teeth at
night, ask your dentist if you should be fitted for a bite plate to
prevent tooth grinding.
• Always wear a seat belt when
riding in a car.
• Avoid sucking on lemons or
chewing aspirin or vitamin C tablets. The acid wears away tooth
enamel.
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Your Childs Teeth
