Tooth injuries and gum problems can be traumatic events. Toothaches can range from mild to severe. Knocked out, a chipped or cracked tooth can cause an odd, dull pain that can make it difficult to eat or do any activity in your daily life. Dental emergencies commonly occur in children but can also occur in adults. It is important to know what to do in such emergencies.
When a dental emergency occurs, you should be prepared to act quickly and do the right thing. This will help minimize the pain as well as the damage. After the initial dental first aid, you would need to consult with a professional dentist. Consulting with a team of Dentists of Hinsdale Lake is important to avoid long-term dental problems and diseases.
Steps to administer first aid during dental emergencies
1. Ice pack and over-the-counter medications.
One of the most basic and easiest ways to provide relief to a dental emergency is using cold therapy with the help of an ice pack. Put a pack of frozen peas from your freezer and wrap it in a thin cloth. Keep the bag of frozen peas on the side of the face where it hurts for 15 minutes, then do it again after a few minutes.
If that does not help, you can use over-the-counter painkillers to provide immediate relief. There are many medicine brands that make pain relief medications for toothache.
2. Find the knocked-out tooth if possible.
If you have been in an accident that has caused your tooth to fall out of your mouth completely, try finding the knocked-out tooth if possible. Look around with the help of a flashlight or magnifying glass.
If you are able to find the lost tooth, you can use it for reattachment and avoid an artificial tooth. Another important tip to follow is never to touch the root at all, or it can cause an infection. If you find the tooth, clean the socket and place the tooth back in place. Visit your dentist the next day to bond it permanently.
3. Do not forget to keep small containers at home.
When preparing your first aid kit for dental emergencies at home, one thing you should not forget is a small container to keep the knocked-out tooth. You can preserve your knocked-out tooth and keep it in a container until you meet with your dentist. A container will prevent the tooth from coming in contact with harmful substances and bacteria.
If you are struggling with tooth pain, you should not hesitate to consult with a dentist immediately.