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Dental emergencies may occur anywhere at anytime.
A quick, handy references of emergency evaluation in form of a postcards,
charts, guides, and/or notes are very important.
Key Benefits
- Benefit 1 -- Stress Minimization
- Benefit 2 -- Safe Pain Relief for Toothache
- Benefit 3 -- Soothing, Protection, and Better Healing of Minor Dental
Injuries
Teeth Involvement
- 1. Toothache
- A. Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly.
- B. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm salt water.
- C. Use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris.
- D. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth.
- E. If face is swollen, apply a cold compress.
- F. Take OTC analgesics (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.) for
temporary pain relief.
- G. See a dentist as soon as possible.
- 2. Broken Tooth
- A. Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water.
- B. Place cold compresses over the
face in the area of the injury.
- C. Locate and save any broken tooth
fragments.
- D. Immediate dental attention is
necessary.
- 3. Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
- A. Find the tooth.
- B. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion.
- C. Rinse the tooth, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily.
- D. Try to reinsert it in its socket.
- E. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or
cloth.
- F. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup
containing milk or water.
- G. See a dentist IMMEDIATELY!
- H. Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Other Tissues Involvement
- 1. Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek
- A. Apply ice to bruised areas.
- B. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean
gauze or cloth.
- C. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes, take the child to a
hospital emergency room.
- D. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child
to a hospital emergency room.
- 2. Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out
- A. Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area.
- B. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes.
- C. This may be repeated once.
- D. If bleeding persists, see a dentist.
- 3. Cold/Cancer Sores
- A. Usually over-the-counter (OTC) preparations give relief.
- B. Some serious diseases may begin as sores.
- C. It is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist.
- 4. Possible Broken Jaw
- A. Try to keep suspected fractured jaw from moving.
- B. Use a towel, tie, or handkerchief .
- C. Take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
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