A dental emergency is painful and leaves the person dealing with it panicky. A painful dental emergency such as a severe toothache or knocked-out tooth isn’t just an inconvenience or an expense. You could have even worse dental conditions or costly future repairs if you do not look after your dental emergency. Not only that, but you could also end up with a severe infection that could spread to other parts of your body, and even worse, you could end up with premature tooth loss. Even if you think your injury isn’t severe, know it is best to obtain a professional evaluation immediately. You can also visit your local hospital if you cannot find a dentist nearby in an emergency.

A few tips are given below, useful for a dental emergency.

• KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TEETH

In knocked-out teeth, you must rinse the tooth gently to clean it. While rinsing, do not scrub it, as it can lead to further damage. Also, a tip to remember is to attempt to store the tooth inside the mouth so that saliva will help preserve it and keep it moist. However, this will not be applicable if the tooth belongs to a small child or a person who may become unconscious. Keeping the tooth inside the mouth is to keep it moist. If this is not practical, store the tooth in a cup of milk and obtain emergency care within two hours for the best chance of saving the tooth.

• TOOTH FRACTURE

Rinse your mouth with plain water and apply a cold compress against your face. This will reduce swelling in the injured area. Look around for tooth fragments, and if you find any, save them and see your dentist immediately. Do not even consider leaving the broken tooth, as untreated broken or fractured teeth can result in long-term dental issues.

• LOSE ADULT TOOTH

If you suspect the tooth is loose or moving slightly, gently press it back into alignment and hold it with moistened gauze. Please do not force the tooth into its socket, as this will only lead to its dislocation. Try to obtain medical attention as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

• OTHER MOUTH INJURIES

If you have another serious tongue, cheek, or lip bite, gently wipe the wound with a clean, moistened cloth. Apply cold compresses to ease the swelling or bleeding. If the bleeding is severe and does not stop after fifteen minutes, visit a hospital emergency room immediately.

• SEVERE TOOTHACHE

A severe toothache can cause serious discomfort. Rinse your mouth with warm tap water and use dental floss to remove any food trapped between teeth. Take care of your dental hygiene. If pain persists or you develop a fever, call your dentist immediately to book an appointment. Do not try to treat your toothache by yourself or wait for a prolonged period for it to go away on its own, as it might cause even more serious problems.