Moms know how to handle anything.  As a mother of two adventurous boys, I’ve had my share of cuts, scrapes

A dental emergency waiting to happen

and most recently, a nice sized burn.  I’m proud to say that in most instances, I handle myself pretty well.  My boys almost always cry much harder than I do when they get hurt. Being in the dental profession, I feel well-equipped to handle dental emergencies should one arise.  It occurred to me that my confidence in being able to manage a dental emergency or injury might be a rarity.   Dental injuries and emergencies can leave moms who are not dental professionals a little baffled about how to respond and what to do.

Never fear, the answers are right here!  Thanks to the American Dental Association, I am able to share these handy dental emergency first aid tips.  I hope you never have to use them, but just in case, you can print them out and keep them in your home and travel first aid kits!

Dental Emergency First Aid

Dental First Aid

Knocked-Out Tooth

Hold the tooth by the crown, and gently rinse off the root of the tooth in water if it is dirty.  Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments.  If possible, gently reinsert and hold the tooth in it’s socket. If that is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk.  The sooner you can do any of these things, the better because it helps keep the small attachment fibers on the root of the tooth alive.  Try to get to the dentist within an hour, if you can.  Don’t forget to bring the tooth with you!

Toothache

Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out.  Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between the teeth.  Never put an aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue.  See your dentist as soon as possible.  Over the counter pain relievers may be used, but in moderation and never for longer than a week.

Broken Tooth:

Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean.  Put cold compresses on the face to reduce swelling.  See your dentist immediately.

Bitten Tongue or Lip

Clean the area gently with a cloth, and place cold compresses to keep the swelling down. If bleeding is excessive or does not stop in a short period of time, go to your dentist, oral surgeon or hospital emergency room.

Objects Caught Between Teeth

Gently try to remove the object with dental floss.  If you are not successful, go to the dentist.  Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.

Possible Broken Jaw

Apply a cold compress to the face to control swelling.  Go to your dentist, oral surgeon or hospital emergency room immediately.

With any luck, moms reading this post will never have to use any of these dental first aid tips.  If you are anything like me and my daredevil boys, all bets are off!  Either way, you are now prepared for anything.  For questions about dental injuries and dental emergencies not mentioned in this post, feel free to give Dr. Weinstein a call.  We’re happy to help!