Having a dental emergency of any kind is never fun. Whether you’re in a car accident and lose one of your pearly whites or your child is riding a bike and hits her mouth on the sidewalk after falling off, these kinds of incidents are enough to shake up any member of the family.
Luckily, the American Dental Association (ADA) says that there are some things that you can do that will not only help you stay calm, but could help save your tooth as well, such as:
1) Keep a permanent tooth that has been knocked out moist at all times. If possible, attempt putting the tooth back into the socket. However, be care not to make contact with the root. If doing so isn’t an option, then place the pearly white in a glass of milk until and try to get to your Raleigh dentist’s office immediately.
2) If you’re tooth has cracked, you should clean your mouth out right away by rinsing it with lukewarm water. To get rid of any swelling that might occur, place an ice pack on your face.
3) Should you bite your tongue, lip or cheek, do your best to keep it cold as this will reduce any puffiness in your face.
4) Do you have a toothache? If so, then remember to gargle some warm water. Then, use some dental floss to get rid of any plaque or bits of food that may be stuck in between your pearly whites. The ADA says you should not rub aspirin against a hurting tooth.
5) If there is an object lodged in your mouth or teeth, try to get it out using floss. The ADA says under no circumstances should you try to remove it using something sharp like scissors or a knife.
