Trauma

Toothache:

• • Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • Use dental floss to remove any food particles stuck between teeth.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
  • Contact your dentist for an appointment to diagnose and treat the cause.

Knocked-Out Tooth:

• • Handle the tooth by the crown (avoid touching the root).
  • Rinse the tooth gently with water if dirty, but do not scrub or remove any tissue attached.
  • Try to reinsert the tooth into the socket if possible, otherwise, place it in a container of milk or saliva.
  • Seek immediate dental care within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Chipped or Broken Tooth:

• • Save any broken pieces of the tooth.
  • Rinse mouth with warm water to clean the area.
  • Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
  • Contact your dentist promptly for evaluation and repair.

Lost Dental Filling or Crown:

• • Avoid chewing on the affected side of the mouth.
  • Use dental cement or temporary dental filling material (available at pharmacies) to cover the exposed tooth surface temporarily.
  • Schedule an appointment with your dentist to replace or repair the filling or crown.

Abscess or Swollen Gums:

• • Rinse mouth with warm salt water to reduce pain and draw out pus.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed.
  • Seek immediate dental care to treat the underlying infection and prevent complications.