Common Dental Emergencies and First Aid

Knocked-out teeth, abscessed gums, and broken or cracked teeth as some of the most common and painful dental emergencies. Keep reading to learn how to deal with a dental emergency while you wait for your dentist to have a look.

1. Cracked, Broken, or Chipped Tooth

Did you bite something hard? A broken or chipped tooth doesn’t only ruin your smile but can be very painful. If you are dealing with this dental emergency, the dentist recommends rinsing your mouth with warm water and applying a piece of gauze to the bleeding area. You can also apply a cold compress as you wait for your dentist to have a look.

2. Pain and Bleeding

If you recently had a tooth extraction, it is normal to experience some pain and discomfort. However, if the post-op bleeding and pain are persistent and unbearable, call your dentist immediately. Place a thick gauze and apply pressure over the area to control the bleeding.

3. Knocked-Out Tooth

In the case of a knocked-out tooth, rule number one is to NEVER pick the tooth up by its roots. Instead, carefully pick it up from the crown and place it in a glass of milk. If possible, try to re-attach the tooth in the socket. Rinse your mouth with clean water and go to a dental clinic right away!

4. Abscessed Gums

Even though abscessed gums are a common dental emergency, they don’t look like one. A gum abscess will look like a red, yellow, or whitish pimple. Abscessed gums are usually an indicator of infected gums or teeth, which, if not dealt with in time, can lead to a root canal. The best way is to clean and floss the abscess-infected gums and get them checked by a dentist.

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Oral health is as important as physical health, especially because your teeth aren’t replaceable. In case of a dental emergency, provide first aid as instructed above and schedule an appointment with your dentist.