Common Dental Emergencies and First Aid

Dental emergencies are fairly common in children and adults and when occur can cause sheer panic. Emergencies can include; bleeding from the mouth due to an injury or getting hit it the face, cracked and broken teeth, oral infections and extreme pain. However, as long as you take appropriate steps, you can remedy the situation and maintain positive oral health for many years to come. If you encounter one of the dental emergencies below, know that support is available and that time is generally of the essence.

1. You cracked your tooth

To crack a tooth, sometimes all it takes is a hard piece of candy. In other cases, teeth grinding is to blame. Regardless of the cause, it’s important that you’re aware of the symptoms associated with this dental injury — especially if you can’t physically see a crack.

For example, say you got hit in the face while playing a game of soccer. Following the incident, you develop erratic pain, particularly when chewing. At this point, you need to see a dentist, as a cracked tooth can quickly turn into a serious infection. If you’re experiencing any Dental emergencies in Kew & Deepdene please call our clinic on (03) 9817 7144.

Tip: After you make an emergency appointment, rinse your mouth with salt water and if you notice swelling, a cold compress can help.

2. You knocked your tooth out

Believe it or not, more than five million teeth are knocked out each year among adults and children. If this happens to you or your child, it’s important to stay calm. By taking proper emergency action, you can save the tooth. To do so, take the following steps:

• Quickly locate the tooth and pick it up by the crown (or chewing surface), trying not to touch the root. At that point, rinse gently and if possible, place the tooth back into the socket.
• The key is to keep the tooth moist at all times. This means that if the tooth cannot be placed safely into its socket, you’ll need to put it in milk. Regular tap water is NOT recommended.
• See a dentist within 30 minutes. With that being said, a tooth can potentially be saved if it is outside of your mouth for longer, so even if you have surpassed the 30-minute mark, it is critical that you see a dentist as soon as possible.

3. You have an infection

If you notice an abscess or a potential infection in your mouth, the situation could be life-threatening. What may have started as a minor bacterial infection or an untreated cavity can develop into a dangerous situation — especially once the infection spreads from your tooth to the rest of your body.

The best treatment, in this case, is prevention (i.e. brushing twice daily, flossing, and seeing a dentist every six months). However, if you’ve developed pain, swelling, and/or a fever, you need to see a dentist immediately. This type of infection will only get worse. If you’re experiencing any Dental emergencies in Mont Albert & Camberwell please call our clinic on (03) 9817 7144.

Tip: Call your dentist to make an emergency appointment and ask if you’re able to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Allow your dentist to assess the situation in order to implement the best course of action.

4. You have potentially broken your jaw

Although frightening, a broken jaw is a fairly common injury. In fact, it is the tenth most commonly fractured bone in the human body. Additionally, men are approximately three times more likely to sustain a broken jaw in comparison to women, and the most common age group are those 20-30 years old.

Whether you experience a sports-related injury or any other form of facial trauma, you must seek emergency support. If you notice that there are signs of breathing problems, call 000.

Tip: If possible, ice the area en route to your dentist. You may also require a small cup to catch blood and/or spit. Depending on the location and severity of your injury, your dentist will then take appropriate action. Before you’re in your dentist’s care, be sure to support your jaw and keep airways open.

In Summary - First Aid for Dental Emergencies

First aid for dental emergencies often involves reducing pain and swelling and finding any chips or knocked out teeth so that they can be inserted back into the mouth. Many dentists also recommend creating a dental first aid kit, which is similar to the general first aid kits that you may keep in your home and car. If you’re experiencing any Dental emergencies in Surrey Hills & Hawthorn please call our clinic on (03) 9817 7144.

Cold Compresses and Pain Medications

For mouth injuries, swelling and toothaches, it may help to place a cool, wet washcloth or ice pack to the side of the face. Additionally, you can take a pain medication or use an oral anesthetic to help reduce pain while you travel to the emergency dentist’s office.

Find Knocked out Tooth/Chips If Possible

Attempt to find the pieces or the knocked out tooth and preserve them for reimplantation or attachment. In the case of teeth that have been completely knocked out, it is extremely important NOT to touch the root. If possible, you should clean the tooth and place it back into the socket. Biting down on a clean, sterile piece of gauze can help hold the tooth in place. Additionally, if you have a Save-a-Tooth system or something similar in your dental first aid kit, you can place the tooth inside that container to help preserve it until you reach the dentist.

Rinsing the Mouth

Mouth injuries, oral infections, abscesses, and toothaches may benefit from being rinsed with warm salt water, which can help alleviate pain and help draw out any infection. However, you will still need to schedule an emergency appointment with your dentist.

Tower Dental is located in Balwyn and provides a state-of-the-art facility that offers exceptional general dental and specialty services guided by empathy of patient’s needs and desires. Services range from dental crowns and implants to veneers and whitening procedures. For any Dental emergencies in Balwyn, questions or to schedule an appointment, contact the clinic on (03) 9817 7144.