How to Handle Dental Emergencies at Home

Fall is in the air and the holidays are well on their way. In the hustle and bustle of activities, the last thing you want is to have to deal with dental emergencies. But they can happen, and you want to be ready! And while the most important thing will be to get to the dentist as soon as possible, we want to make sure you are treating yourself well before you get here.

Do you have a toothache? Very carefully and gently clean the painful area. You can use a cotton swab or soft toothbrush. Your grandma was right when she taught you to use salt water for mouth problems, gently rinse your mouth with salt water around the affected tooth. You can certainly take acetaminophen for the pain as you wait to be seen by the dentist.

Is your tooth loose? If your tooth is not pointing straight anymore, very gently position it in place until you can get to the doctor. You may also put something in your mouth to support the tooth, with something soft gauze like moistened gauze.

Did your tooth fall out? The tooth can be saved if you get to the dentist within the first hour it fell out. The goal is to implant the tooth back in its place. You can rinse it carefully with water, not damaging the roots, and gently wrap it in a piece of gauze moistened with milk or even salt water til you get to the dentist.

The important thing to remember is to stay calm so you can take good care of the injured area and the tooth. We at Lakeview Dental Care are here to help your teeth last a lifetime, and are ready to help you in the event of a dental emergency. Please contact us if you have any questions, and remember to enjoy the upcoming holidays!