Dental Emergencies

Immediate Action:

1. Find the tooth: Locate the tooth immediately
2. Handle carefully: Hold by the crown (white part), not the root
3. Rinse gently: Rinse with milk or saline solution (NOT tap water)
4. Reinsert if possible: Gently place back in socket if you can
5. Bite on gauze: Bite down gently on clean gauze to hold in place
6. If cannot reinsert: Place tooth in milk or saline solution
7. Seek dental care: See dentist immediately (within 30 minutes if possible)

Steps:

1. Rinse mouth: Rinse with warm water
2. Control bleeding: Bite on clean gauze if bleeding
3. Find the fragment: If possible, locate the broken piece
4. Apply cold: Apply ice pack to outside of cheek to reduce swelling
5. Pain relief: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen
6. Avoid: Do not chew on the side with broken tooth
7. Dental visit: See dentist as soon as possible

Steps:

1. Do not force: Do not try to push tooth back into place
2. Bite gently: Bite on clean gauze to stabilize
3. Cold compress: Apply ice to outside of cheek
4. Pain relief: Take over-the-counter pain medication
5. Soft diet: Eat only soft foods
6. Dental care: See dentist immediately

Steps:

1. Rinse: Rinse mouth with warm water
2. Floss: Gently floss to remove trapped food
3. Pain relief: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen
4. Clove oil: Apply clove oil to affected tooth (natural analgesic)
5. Cold compress: Apply ice pack to cheek (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off)
6. Avoid: Hot foods and drinks
7. Dental visit: See dentist as soon as possible

Signs:

• Severe pain in tooth
• Swelling in face or jaw
• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pus or discharge

Steps:

1. Rinse with salt water: Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt in warm water, rinse 3-4 times daily
2. Pain relief: Take ibuprofen or paracetamol
3. Cold compress: Apply ice to outside of cheek
4. Avoid: Hot foods and drinks
5. Seek dental care: See dentist urgently - may need antibiotics
6. Emergency: If fever is high (>39°C) or swelling spreads, seek medical attention

Signs:

• Severe pain when opening mouth
• Difficulty closing mouth
• Swelling or bruising
• Misalignment of teeth
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing

Steps:

1. Do not move: Minimize jaw movement
2. Cold compress: Apply ice to affected area
3. Support: Support jaw with hand or soft bandage
4. Pain relief: Take pain medication
5. Seek emergency care: Go to hospital or call 999 for suspected fracture
6. Imaging: X-rays will be needed to confirm

Steps:

1. Bite on gauze: Bite firmly on clean gauze for 30-45 minutes
2. Apply pressure: Do not disturb the clot
3. Cold compress: Apply ice to outside of cheek
4. Elevate head: Keep head elevated above heart level
5. Avoid: Do not rinse, spit, or use straws for 24 hours
6. Soft diet: Eat only soft, cool foods
7. Contact dentist: If bleeding continues after 1 hour, contact dentist

Steps:

1. Floss gently: Use dental floss to try to remove object
2. Do not force: Do not use sharp objects or force
3. Rinse: Rinse mouth with warm water
4. Toothpick: If floss doesn't work, gently use wooden toothpick
5. Dental visit: If object cannot be removed, see dentist