Accidents can happen to anybody at any age but knowing what do when a dental injury occurs is critical it is important to act quickly and see a dentist immediately. There are several things you can do to alleviate your pain and save your teeth while waiting to be seen in a dental emergency.

For broken, loose or a knocked out tooth, if it is clean, immediately place the tooth back in it socket holding it by the crown and biting down on a gauze or clean cloth to hold tooth in place. Otherwise, if dirty or unable to hold tooth in place, place in warm milk so it stays hydrated until seen by your dentist.

TIPS AT A GLANCE

• Don’t hold the tooth by the root
• Don’t scrub or rub the root surface
• Don’t let the tooth dry out
• Don’t store in water or rinse the tooth with water
• Don’t delay seeking dental treatment

For a severe toothache, cracked teeth or profuse bleeding, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the area.

For pain management of a toothache prior to being seen by your dentist you can try the following steps.

• Over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help, however you should speak to your pharmacist first prior to taking any pain relief medications regarding allergies and interactions with other medication
• Placing an ice pack or cold compress against your cheek
• Using an antiseptic rinse such as Savacol or warm salted water in the mouth and throat to kill bacteria
• Flossing between your teeth to remove any trapped food.

(Note: Do Not Apply aspirin directly to the source of the pain)

Of course, accidents happen at any time, but you can lower your risk of emergency dental in some situations by taking the following steps to protect your teeth.

1. Regularly brushing, flossing and following a healthy diet, along with scheduled dental cleaning with your dentist every 6-12 months is an important first step
2. Speak with your dentist about treatments to minimise grinding and clenching your teeth, here at Haberfield Dental Practice, we also have TMJ treatment with a specialised Remedial Therapist
3. Consider your teeth alignment and straightening options for crooked or pointy teeth which can be prone to injury
4. Whilst playing contact sports activities use a custom mouthguard to help protect your teeth and jaw.