Handling Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are listed as toothaches, injuries and broken retainers or dentures. With all dental emergencies, it is important to contact your dentist as soon as possible.
A toothache is best dealt with by keeping the area clean until you can reach your dental care professional. Clean the affected area with a toothbrush and floss, followed by a warm salt water rinse. A cold compress can be used to reduce discomfort and any swelling of the area. Acetaminophens like Tylenol can also be used to moderate pain.
When a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, it is important to call your dentist immediately and try to preserve the tooth as much as possible. Cases where the tooth is taken care of properly and dental assistance is received within the first half hour have high chances of being re-implanted. The optimal transport is the empty socket from which it came. Keeping the tooth between the check and gum in your mouth is also acceptable. Otherwise, place the tooth in a cup of milk, salt water, or saliva—use water if no other means are readily available.
Teeth that are loosened, but not knocked out of the socket, should be repositioned to the original state if it can be done using very little pressure. Never force the tooth back into the socket, as this can create further damage. Get to a dentist as soon as possible.
A broken tooth requires immediate dental care. Rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the fractured tooth clean, and see your dentist to assess the severity of the damage, which can result in a range of treatments from smoothing simple chips to potentially getting a root canal if there has been nerve damage.
Soft tissue injuries to the tongue, lips or cheeks that involve bleeding should be dealt with by placing a piece of gauze or cloth over the area and applying pressure. Contact your dentist immediately if bleeding does not subside after 15 minutes, as stitches may be needed to close the cut. If bleeding does stop on its own, clean the area with gauze soaked in warm water and apply cold compresses if there is any bruising ors swelling in the area.
Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
Temporomandibular join symdrome is alternately known as temporomandibular disorder and myofacial pain syndrome. TMJ occurs with the temporomandibular joint—the joint in front of the ear where the lower jaw meets the skull—is put under a lot of stress. Typically, the muscles that work the jaw joints become overworked and start to spasm, causing pain to the area whenever the overextended muscles pull on the bones they are attached to.
Common symptoms of TMJ are “clicking” and “popping” noises when the jaw is opened and the jaw shifting to one side when opened and closed. Other symptoms that accompany this disorder include headaches, earaches, stiff neck, dizziness and general pain the jaw area.
If you are diagnosed with TMJ, your dentist will determine the main cause of the disorder and advise procedures appropriately. The problem should subside on its own after a few days if chewy foods are avoided and the jaw is able to rest. The dentist can do simple things like adjust the bite, apply moist heat to the joint area, or prescribe medication to ease discomfort. If TMJ is the result of a specific action in your lifestyle, your dentist can advise ways to prevent it in the future. For example, patients who grind their teeth at night may be given an appliance to wear while they sleep to counteract the force of grinding.
Factors that could increase the risk of getting TMJ include teeth grinding and clenching, biting the lip or cheek, biting nails or other objects, chewing gum, sucking on hard candy, and other activities that put added pressure on the joint.
