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DENTAL EMERGENCIES & INJURIES
There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and
injury to your teeth. One way to reduce the chances of damage to your teeth,
lips, cheek and tongue is to wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or
recreational activities that may pose a risk. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels
and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth. Cut tape using scissors rather
than your teeth.
Accidents do happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the
difference between saving and losing a tooth.
Tips for Dealing with Dental Emergencies
Bitten Lip or Tongue
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Clean the area gently with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any
swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room
immediately.
Broken Tooth
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Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the
area to keep any swelling down. Call your dentist immediately.
Cracked Tooth
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For the Dental Patient: Do You Have a Cracked Tooth? |
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Jaw-Possibly Broken
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Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to your dentist or a hospital
emergency department immediately.
Knocked Out Tooth
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Hold the tooth by the crown and rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it’s
dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible,
gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket. If that isn’t possible, put the
tooth in a cup of milk and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. Remember
to take the tooth with you!
Objects Caught Between Teeth
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Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never
use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If
you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact your dentist.
Toothache
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Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an
interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught
between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums
near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists,
contact your dentist.
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