Some dental emergencies can be mundane while others are quite serious. Having a few common dental items on hand can help you better handle some of the common situations that might arise.
Flossing with waxed dental floss can help remove something stuck between your teeth or in the gum line. Be careful when working the floss into the area so that you don’t snap it into the gums or cause additional injury.
If one of your teeth is knocked out your dentist might be able to implant it back into the socket. Keeping the tooth alive and moist is essential to a successful implantation. In a pinch you can keep the tooth between your check and gums. You can also place the tooth in a small container with milk, or saliva. The enzymes in the saliva is actually good for the tooth.
There are tooth preservation products that are designed to help preserve the tooth for a short amount of time. It is a small container filled with a nourishing gel. You simply unscrew the cap, place the tooth in the gel and seal it again.
If your mouth has a lot of blood in it you can pack the area with sterile gauze. Otherwise you should try not to touch the gums or the socket.
Many causes of oral trauma come with pain and inflammation. You can make a cold compress by putting ice in a zip top bag, wrapped in a wash cloth. You can hold the cold compress to your face for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Dental topical anesthetic can also help numb the area if you can’t immediately make it to the dentist.
If you have a dental emergency, remember to stay calm. As soon as possible, give our dental office a call at 920-739-1181 so that we may advise you on how to best handle the situation and get you into our office as quickly as possible. Together we can help preserve your dental health!