Dental Emergencies: What to Do?

Dental emergencies may pop up at any time, much like medical emergencies. They can range from a toothache to damage to the jaw. Would you know what to do in a dental emergency?

According to a survey of 1000 people, done by Majestic Drug Company, the most dental emergencies occurred to people in lower income brackets. The press release said that this was an interesting finding, but it is really not all that surprising. Those in the lower income brackets as defined by this survey (less than $35,000 per year income) likely have less access to a dentist and may avoid the cost of preventative dental care, compared with the higher income (over $100,000).

However, the press release did have some good tips on what to do if you find yourself with a problem with your teeth:

Knocked out tooth. If a permanent tooth is dislodged from the socket, try gently replacing it into the tooth socket. Do not scrub the tooth clean–you can damage the fibers needed for reattachment. If that doesn’t work, place the tooth in a glass of milk to keep it moist. Get to a dentist immediately.

Mouth pain. A throbbing pain from a toothache may indicate an infection and a dentist should be consulted as soon as possible. Tooth sensitivity can be combated by the use of desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne. Irritation from mouth sores can be alleviated by the use of specialized oral pain relief products such as Orajel.

Lost filling. Rinse out the cavity with warm water. Apply a temporary filling product such as Dentemp(R) O.S. which can be made into a ball and pressed firmly into the cavity.

Cracked or broken denture. According to Dr. Gold, all denture wearers should have a spare pair to use until the other is repaired. If not, it is good to keep on hand an emergency denture repair kit such as D.O.C. Emergency Denture Repair Kit, available at your local pharmacy.

Dislodged cap/crown. Apply a temporary dental holding product such as Dentemp(R) O.S. and gently replace the cap onto the tooth. Make sure you get a proper fit.

Have you had a dental emergency that has required you to scramble for care? What happened and what did you do?

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