A mouth or tooth injury can be pretty frightening- your mouth is a very personal place, not to mention extremely important to everyday activities like eating and talking. If you know how to handle dental emergencies, however, they don't have to be so alarming. Here are a few fairly common dental issues that may pop up, and the best way to handle them.
Soft tissue injuries, such as cuts or abrasions to the gums, tongue or inner cheeks may require an immediate emergency room trip depending on the severity of the injury and amount of bleeding. As soon as you injure yourself, rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution- about 1/2 tablespoon of salt per 1 cup of warm water. Epsom salt is excellent for reducing inflammation and drawing impurities from wounds. After rinsing your mouth, apply gentle pressure to the wound with a piece of gauze in order to help stop the bleeding; a cold compress applied to the outside of the injured area can also help stop bleeding as well as reduce pain. If the bleeding doesn't stop in ten minutes or so, or the area becomes swollen and/or more painful as time goes on, seek emergency treatment from your dentist or hospital.
Dental abscesses are concentrations of pus and infection that gather inside the mouth, usually resulting from a bacterial infection in the soft tissues. Generally, symptoms will begin with a sudden, often severe localized pain in the mouth. You may see or feel a pimple-like bump on the gums or inside of the mouth that is usually painful. A fever or general feeling of being unwell may also accompany an abscess. Depending on the location and severity of the infection, an abscess can be an extremely dangerous condition if left untreated; the infection can spread to the bloodstream and other parts of the body, resulting in serious illness. Make a dental appointment as soon as possible if you have a painful bump or suspect an abscess in your mouth; in the meantime, rinse regularly with a salt solution to help reduce inflammation and draw the infection towards the surface.
Losing a tooth can be a particularly traumatic experience; a part of your body is suddenly unattached and has left a bloody, painful gap where it used to be. Keep your head! If you locate the tooth and handle it correctly, it's entirely possible your dentist will be able to reattach it. Pick the tooth up by the crown- the part that sticks up out of the gums. Do not touch the root for any reason, as this part of the tooth is soft and susceptible to damage and infection. Rinse the tooth off with milk and, if you can, place it back in your mouth. If you're unable to replace the tooth, put it in a baggie or cup of milk until you can see your dentist. Milk is the best choice for keeping the root of your tooth healthy while maintaining an ideal PH until the tooth can be reattached. Call your dentist and explain your problem. Hopefully, he or she will be able to see you immediately or refer you to someone who can; the chances of a successful reattachment depend on how quickly you're able to be treated.