What to do in a dental emergency

There are some simple tips that can help you with a dental emergency if you can’t access help or prefer to wait until we reopen surgery. The following is a guide to help you:

Toothache

• Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can be taken alternately 3 hourly.
• Rinse mouth with warm salt water and clean between teeth with brushes or floss.
• Cold compress on outside of mouth and occasional cold water rinse sometimes helps.
• Avoid lying down as this increases pain.
• Oil of cloves on cotton bud into a cavity may help.

Lost fillings

• Temporary cements from chemists are now very good.
• Dry tooth with cotton wool or tissue.
• Add cement and bite together. Don’t worry if some excess. Sugar free gum or wax from cheese are alternatives.
• Sharp edges can be smoothed with a flexible nail file. Some pieces may come away if weak.

Lost crowns and bridges

• Temporary cement from chemist. Check crown or bridge seats first otherwise leave out.
• If fit and bite are good without cement add a little cement and seat. Bite gently together.
• Take out at night and repeat the next day.
• Do not use superglue.

Abscess

• Warm salt water rinse several times daily.
• Painkillers.
• Hot water bottle to side of face may help.

Bleeding

• Remove any loose clot with tissues.
• Bite on supplied gauze for 20 mins.
• A moistened tea bag can also be carefully bitten on if gauze unsuccessful.
• Attend casualty if no sign of stopping.

Knocked out tooth

• Children’s baby teeth leave out.
• Permanent teeth rinse root in water only and put back if straightforward. Do not scrub! Gently bite together until arriving at dentist. Store in milk if can’t reposition.

Split tooth

• Worst situation as tooth is still attached to gum.
• Remove loose fragment if not too painful.
• Sugar free gum or cement in gap and squeeze together with finger and thumb.
• Avoid any solid food. Soup only.

Broken orthodontic wires

• Orthodontic wax or cheese wax over sharp edges.

Remember!

• Ibuprofen and antibiotics can interact with warfarin.
• Asthma symptoms worse with Ibuprofen.
• Patients with stomach problems may need to avoid Ibuprofen.
• Avoid aspirin in children.
• If in doubt advise paracetamol only.
• Co codamol may be more effective than paracetamol  if paracetamol/Ibuprofen combination not working.