Be Prepared for a Dental Emergency!!!

If a dental emergency happens at your school, clinic, or home, remain calm and reassure the child.  You might be able to help save a tooth by knowing what to do…

                                         Follow these steps:

BROKEN TOOTH

• Gently clean dirt from the injured area with warm water
• Place a cold compress on the face over the injured area
• Save any broken tooth fragments
• See the dentist immediately!

KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH

• Handle tooth by its crown instead of roots
  • Rinse tooth gently in cool water, do not scrub it or clean it with soap – use just water
  • If possible, gently replace tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth
  • If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water
• Call the emergency number if it is after hours
• The faster you act, the better your chances are of saving the tooth

TOOTHACHE

• Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out
• Use dental floss to dislodge any trapped food
• Do not place an aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue
• If face is swollen, place a cold compress on the outside of the cheek
• See dentist immediately!

CUT OR BITTEN TONGUE, LIP, OR CHEEK

• Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth
• Apply cold compress to swollen areas
  • If bleeding does not stop after fifteen minutes, take child to a hospital emergency room immediately!

BROKEN BRACES AND WIRES

• Cover ends of broken braces and wires with wax or apiece of gauze until the child can be seen by a dentist
• If a wire gets stuck in a cheek or gum tissue, do not attempt to remove it
• See the dentist immediately!

DENTAL INJURIES CAN BE PREVENTED

• Wear a mouth guard when participating in sport activities
• Always use a car seat for young children
• Use seat belts
• Child-proof your home
  • Protect your child from unnecessary toothaches with regular dental visits