Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies may be categorized as toothaches, injuries or broken retainers or dentures.

Toothache
If a toothache develops, clean the painful area using a brush and floss. Rinse with warm salt water. Do not place an aspirin on the gums or tooth as this may cause a burn. Apply a cold compress to any facial swelling. Take acetaminophen (for example Tylenol®) and call your dentist as soon as possible.

If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, time is of the essence. Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment.

Lost (Avulsed) Tooth
If a permanent tooth is knocked completely out, time is of the essence. Immediately call your dentist for an emergency appointment. It is critical to get the person and their tooth to the dental office within one half hour. This makes it possible to re-implant the tooth with a high degree of success. If possible, gently place the tooth back in its socket as a means of transport. Otherwise, transport it in a cup of milk, salt water, or saliva. If none of these are available, use a cup of plain water. You may also place the tooth between the cheek and gum (unless the child is too young).

Loosened (Extruded) Teeth
If a tooth is pushed either inward or outward, try to reposition it using very little pressure. Do not force the tooth into its socket. Try to get the injured person to a dentist as soon as possible. The tooth may be stabilized and held in place with a moist tissue or gauze on the way.

Broken (Fractured) Teeth
First rinse the mouth with warm water to keep it clean. Immediate dental care is necessary. The treatment will depend on the severity of the fracture and could range from smoothing out the chip to bonding with a tooth colored resin material, to placing a crown or cap of the tooth. If there has been pulp (nerve) injury, a root canal may be necessary as well.

Soft Tissue Injury
The tongue, lips or cheeks may be bitten, cut or punctured. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure with gauze or a clean cloth. If bleeding doesn't stop within 15 minutes, contact your dentist immediately. Stitches may be necessary. Otherwise, clean the area with either warm water on gauze or a clean cloth. Apply an ice compress to the bruised or swollen area and contact your dentist for further instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

Tooth decay (caries, cavities) is probably the most prevalent oral disease, affecting almost everyone during his or her lifetime. The good news is that it isn't life threatening and is essentially preventable.

Acid, if produced frequently, will demineralize (dissolve) the tooth enamel structure, which is the hardest substance in the human body.

The tooth decay process begins with dental plaque (a sticky mixture of bacteria, food and debris). Bacteria, which naturally live in everyone's mouth but thrive in plaque, utilize carbohydrates from food, especially refined sugar, to produce acid. Acid, if produced frequently, will demineralize (dissolve) the tooth enamel structure, which is the hardest substance in the human body. From there the acid will continue to eat through the underlying dentin layer until the bacteria and their waste products reach the pulp (nerve). Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to root infection and eventually loss of the tooth.

There are visible signs of a cavity. Initially, it will appear as a small white spot, which in time will turn brown. As the decay continues, a hole in the tooth may become apparent. There are also warning symptoms such as sensitivity when brushing, to hot or cold foods or to breathing in air. Of course, a painful toothache is a definite sign.

Prevention
The most important prevention technique is daily removal of plaque with flossing and brushing. If possible, good oral hygiene should be practiced after every meal.

Using fluoride to strengthen the enamel and help remineralize teeth is a highly reliable prevention tool. A toothpaste with flouride is suggested and many dentists also give topical fluoride treatment to children up to age 18. They can also fabricate custom trays to be used at home with a gel fluoride for adults who have rampant caries or who are predisposed to having tooth decay. Dentists may also suggest fluoride drops or vitamins for infants who don't live in areas in which the public water supply is fluoridated. Call your dentist to see if your water is fluoridated.

Diet is significant in caries prevention. . Studies have shown that the nature and frequency of sugar intake is more important than the amount. If the sugary food is very sticky, like caramel, gummy bears or jam, it will remain on the teeth for a longer period of time. If you or your children are constantly snacking on sugary foods, there is a continuous acid attack on your teeth.

What do we do to prevent this potential problem? Avoid having sugar stay in the mouth for long periods of time. Stay away from candies and chewing gum (unless sugarless) and refrain from drinking soft drinks regularly (unless diet). Try to cut down on the number of snacks per day. If you must snack, substitute foods that most people like but that don't promote tooth decay. Examples are popcorn, pretzels, fruits, nuts, cheese and vegetables.

substitute foods that most people like but that don't promote tooth decay. Examples are popcorn, pretzels, fruits, nuts, cheese and vegetables.

Consuming sugary foods with a meal or for dessert has a less detrimental effect, because increased saliva flow during meals helps to wash the food away. Also, after having a meal most people will brush their teeth. Keeping this in mind, it is better for children to eat sweets at a time and place that allows them to brush soon afterwards. As your children are growing, make sure they get plenty of calcium (dairy products) so that their tooth enamel develops properly.

Finally, because you may be asymptomatic and unaware of the beginning of tooth decay, it is critical that you visit your dentist regularly for a check-up. Some cavities are hard to detect, especially those between the teeth. Sometimes, only bitewing x-rays can identify them. Your dentist will also give you a professional prophylaxis (cleaning), which is an important part of prevention.