A dental emergency is not only a painful situation but also 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 end up with 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 that your injury isn’t that severe, know that it is best to obtain a professional evaluation immediately. If you are unable to find a dentist nearby in case of an emergency, you can also visit your local hospital.

There are few tips given below, which will come in handy if you find yourself with a dental emergency.

• KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TEETH

In case of knocked-out teeth, you first have to rinse the tooth gently to clean it. While rinsing, make sure not to scrub it as it can lead to further damage. Also, a tip to remember is that you should attempt to store the tooth inside the mouth itself so that saliva will help preserve it and keep it moist. However, this will obviously not be applicable if the tooth belongs to a small child or a person who may become unconscious. The idea of 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 place a cold compress against your face. This will reduce swelling in the injured area. Look around for any tooth fragments and if you find any, save them and see your dentist immediately. Do not even think of 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 to be loose or moving slightly, gently press it back into alignment, and hold it in place with moistened gauze. Please do not force the tooth into its socket as it will only lead to its dislocation. Try to obtain medical attention as soon as possible to avoid any further damage.

• OTHER MOUTH INJURIES

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

• SEVERE TOOTHACHE

A severe toothache can cause some 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, you should call your dentist immediately to book an appointment. Do not try to treat your toothache by yourself or wait for a prolonged period of time for it to go away on its own, as it might cause even more serious problems.