Dental Emergencies
First Smiles Program - Pinal County Cooperative Extension
We probably know what to do when a kid scrapes their knee or bruises their arm. What about when they bump a tooth or cut their lip? Most tooth emergencies need the care of a dentist. A few need the care of a doctor in the Emergency Department at the hospital. In fact, about 80% of dental emergencies seen in the Emergency Department are best managed by your dentist in the office.
But how do you know which emergencies need which kind of care? What do you do when your child bumps her tooth? Here are a few common dental emergencies that might happen at home and ways you can manage the emergency.
Toothache
- Rinse the mouth with warm water, warm salt water is helpful. Use about ½ teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water.
- Gently use floss or a toothpick to take out anything caught between the teeth.
- Do NOT put medicine on the tooth. It may damage the tooth or gums.
- See your dentist as soon as you can.
Knocked-Out Tooth
- Find the tooth.
- Hold the tooth by the part that was not in the gums.
- Gently rinse the tooth with water.
- If you can, put the tooth back in the socket. If you aren’t able to, put it in some milk
- Take your child and the tooth to the dentist ASAP. It may be possible for the dentist to put the tooth back in.
Broken Tooth
- Rinse the mouth with warm water.
- Use a cold cloth or ice pack on the face near the tooth area.
- Go to the dentist ASAP.
Cut Lip or Tongue
- Gently put pressure on the area
- Use a cold cloth or ice pack on the area.
- If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to the dentist or the hospital ASAP.
Something Stuck Between the Teeth
- Gently use floss or a toothpick to remove the object.
- Do not put anything sharp in the mouth to try to remove it, you might damage the teeth or gums.
- If you can’t get it out, go to the dentist.
Possible Broken Jaw
- Use a cold cloth or ice pack on the area.
- Go to the hospital Emergency Depart ASAP.
For more information, contact Greeta Mills