WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY

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In Case of a dental injury:

• Keep calm and always be reassuring to an injured child.
• Stop or control any bleeding by applying pressure.
• If the injured person is a child and a parent or guardian is not present, notify them immediately.
• See a dental professional to check the tooth or injured area.

Toothache

• Rinse out mouth with warm water.
• Use dental floss to remove any food trapped between teeth.
• For swelling, place cold compresses on the outside of the cheek.
• Do not use heat or place aspirin on an aching tooth or gum tissue
• See a dental professional as soon as possible.

Object Wedged Between Teeth

• Try to remove object with dental floss.  Guide the floss carefully to avoid cutting gums.
• If you can’t remove the object, see a dental professional as soon as possible.
• Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument.

Knocked-Out Tooth

• Bring the person and the tooth to a dental professional immediately.
• Place the tooth in a container of milk, salt water or the person’s own saliva.  If these are not available, then use plain water.
  
  If you are unable to get to a dental professional immediately:
• Gently rinse the tooth in warm water.  Do not touch the root.
• For a Permanent Tooth: Carefully insert the tooth back into place.
• For a Baby Tooth: Do not try to pack a baby tooth back in the socket.
• Place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dentist.
• See a dental professional as soon as possible.

Broken Tooth

• Gently clean dirt or debris from the injured area with warm water.
• Place cold compresses on the face, in the area of the injured tooth, to reduce swelling.
• Apply direct pressure to any bleeding areas with a clean cloth
• Go to a dental professional immediately.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

• Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth.
• If there is swelling, apply cold compresses.
• If bleeding continues and can’t be stopped, go to the hospital emergency room.