Common Dental Emergencies and First Aid

Unfortunately, the mouth and our teeth are not exempt from discomfort, accidents, or other emergencies. Similarly, to any other part of our body things happen in the daily course of life. It is vital to react accordingly. We all know the level of discomfort that is brought to us by mouth and tooth pain. The mouth is responsible for doing many things like speaking, eating, and smiling! Did you know that the mouth also fulfills a variety of biological functions? Yes, the mouth helps us with balance, posture, and resistance to inflammation and infections. Understandably, accidents and discomfort are reasons for concern, so we have compiled a list of five common emergencies and potential remedies.

If you have concerns about your oral health, please contact us at Family Smile Dental in Brooklyn, NY.

Toothache

In most cases, tooth decay is the primary cause of toothaches. Tooth decay is caused by the presence of bacteria that live in your mouth. These bacteria live off the sugars that exist in the food that we eat. Some other causes of toothaches can be:

• Tooth root inflammation or infection
• The collection of food between teeth
• Trauma
• Sudden fractures to teeth or their roots

Contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment. We know tooth pain can be unbearable and here at Family Smile Dental, we do our very best to accommodate all emergency patients. In the meantime, you can take the following action to relieve discomfort:

• Use floss to remove debris from in between your teeth
• Rinse your mouth with warm water salty water
• Take over the counter pain reliver (Advil, Tylenol, Motrin, Ibuprofen)

Your Tooth was Knocked Out

Knocked-out teeth are a common dental emergency that happens to five million adults and children a year. This common dental emergency is usually caused by injury or accident. Is vital to act quickly if your tooth or someone’s tooth around you is knocked out.

Being seen by a dentist within 30 minutes of the incident is best. Here are some of our tips and recommendations:

• Do not pick the tooth up by the root, alternatively pick up the tooth by the chewing surface
• Gently rinse the tooth with water avoiding any cleansers
• Attempt to put the tooth in the socket in its original position by holding it by the chewing surface and pushing it in gently with your finger
• Keep the tooth moist. If you are unable to put the tooth back in its socket, you can place it in your mouth by your cheek or put it in milk
• Seek dental care within 30 minutes of the incident

Fractured or Chipped Tooth

Unfortunately, there are not any home remedies for repairing a chipped or fractured tooth. It is crucial to see your dental care provider as soon as possible. If you can find the piece of the broken tooth, you should wrap it in a clean moist cloth and bring it with you to your appointment.

• If you are experiencing bleeding, rinse your mouth with cold water.
• Apply a cold compress to the affected side to minimize swelling.
• If you are in pain, take over the counter pain relievers according to your recommended dosage
• If the chip resulted in a sharp edge until you can see a dentist apply dental wax to the sharp edge so that the tooth does not injure your tongue or cheek. Dental wax is readily available at most pharmacies. Simply apple the wax to the sharp part of the tooth.
• In the event of injury, we recommend not to floss that tooth till you can see a dentist to avoid causing any additional trauma.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity can be very frustrating and painful. Dentin hypersensitivity also known as tooth sensitivity is caused by worn tooth enamel. Below are some things that you can do to help lower the discomfort of tooth sensitivity.

• Use a soft toothbrush, stiff-bristled toothbrushes can be very abrasive and continue to wear down enamel.
• Use toothpaste that addresses concerns for sensitive teeth. We recommend Sensodyne as an over-the-counter solution. Speak to your dental care provider about prescription toothpaste for extreme sensitivity.
• Use a mouthguard at night, grinding can be a potential cause for tooth sensitivity as the pressure and friction of your teeth can cause wear on enamel.
• A common practice by individuals with sensitive teeth is to avoid acidic foods and beverages like soda, coffee, lemon, and even milk.

Fallen Out Crowns

Although it is uncommon that crowns come loose, it can happen. Here are some of our recommendations if your crown(s) fall out.

• If you have the crown in your possession and it is intact you can use temporary cement to secure it in place before you see a dentist. Clean the dry cement out of the crown as best as you can and dry the crown. Apply the temporary cement and place the crown back in your mouth, apply pressure for five minutes by biting on a piece of gauze to ensure it has been securely cemented.
• If the crown has been broken and your tooth is very sensitive avoid chewing on that side. We can also recommend wrapping that tooth in a piece of sugar-free gum. Visit a dentist immediately to avoid any permeant damage to that tooth or other surrounding teeth.

Call on Family Smile Dental in your time of need! 718-332-4060