Emergencies are definitely something you don't want to happen to you. Whether it's a medical emergency, or a dental emergency, it isn't something you want to have to deal with, but you should know how to handle any emergency just in case the unthinkable happens to you or someone in your family. See below for some common dental emergencies and how to handle them:

1. Toothache

Toothaches can happen for any number of reasons. You ate something and it's caught in your teeth, or your gums were scratched by food, or something else. Whatever the reason for your toothache, it can be a real pain:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water to help alleviate the pain.
  • Use dental floss to remove the food from between your teeth.
  • Try placing a cool compress on the outside of your mouth to relieve the pain.
  • Take an aspirin or another over-the-counter painkiller.

2. Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth can be painful, especially if it chipped down to the root. If you are in a lot of pain from the chipped tooth, or if it was a large piece of tooth that was chipped off, contact your dentist right away and:

  • Rinse your mouth out with warm water to clean your mouth out and to help alleviate pain.
  • Place the piece of tooth (if you have it) in a glass of milk (or in saltwater), as the piece can sometimes be saved and reattached to the tooth.
  • If there is any bleeding, use gauze to help stop the bleeding, and use a cold compress to help ease the pain.

3. Lost Tooth

Of course, a baby tooth loss is not usually an emergency, unless it was knocked out and caused damage to the jaw or the adult tooth below. If an adult tooth was knocked out, it's important to find the tooth and:

  • Rinse the tooth off in warm water if it is dirty.
  • Place the tooth back inside your mouth in the socket, or in a cup of milk or saltwater to be held and brought into the dentist.
  • Be sure to get into the dentist right away. If it's after hours, be sure to call the after hours phone number to your dentist to see what you should do.

If you have a dental emergency, call your dentist office right away. Don't live in pain, be sure to call your dentist's office and make an appointment, or try to get in the same day. Contact a company like Plymouth Valley Dental Group for more information and assistance. 

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