What would you do if you woke up in the middle of the night with a terrible toothache? What if it’s Saturday, and you sustain an injury to your mouth? Unfortunately, dental emergencies can happen at the most inopportune moments, so it's beneficial to know some first-aid tips for some of the more common dental issues.
Keep reading to learn more about what to do until you can get an appointment with your dentist.
First-Aid Tips for Dental Issues
Here are some of the most common dental emergencies and some first-aid tips to help your oral health:
Toothache—This common dental emergency can be caused by tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury. You should rinse your mouth with warm water to keep it clean and take over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve discomfort.
Knocked-out tooth—Time is crucial when your tooth gets knocked out, so contact your dentist right away. Then, without touching the tooth’s roots, rinse your tooth and try to place it back in the socket. If that doesn’t work, place it in a glass of milk or inside your cheek.
Chipped or broken tooth—A broken tooth can expose nerves, so seeking emergency dental care is essential. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water. Use a cold compress if your face is swollen, and save any broken pieces if you can find them.
Partially dislodged tooth—If your tooth gets moved out of its normal position from trauma, your dentist may be able to reposition it. Until you get to the dentist, apply light pressure and try to realign it. Then, bite down on some gauze to keep it from moving.
Bitten lip or tongue—When you accidentally bite your lip or tongue, try cleaning the area with warm water and applying pressure with a gauze pad to stop the bleeding. If you are bleeding excessively, either call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Lost or broken crown or filling—A lost dental restoration is a common issue and can happen because of trauma, wear, or decay. To protect your tooth, you can place a small amount of dental cement or sugar-free gum on it.
Do You Need Emergency Dental Care in Long Beach, CA?
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact our dental office! At Golden Coast Dental Care, we will do our best to see you immediately. Your oral health and comfort are our top priority, so contact our dental office at (562) 421-8401 when the unexpected happens.