Dental emergencies can occur at any time, anywhere. Unfortunately, there are many people who find themselves in this situation at some point. If this were to happen to you or someone you care for, would you know what to do?

Remember to remain calm. It’s best to approach this situation in a rational and logical manner. Once calm, it is time to take a few steps.

Clean Up and Control

There are some mouth injuries, such as lips, the tongue, cut gums, or a knocked-out tooth that may result in severe bleeding. That’s because these areas are full of blood.

While blood gushing out always makes a situation more alarming, there’s no need to panic. Stop the bleeding by using cotton in the bleeding area and cleaning up any blood in the surrounding area. It’s also possible to wash the injured mouth using cold water and follow this with a cold compress, which will help control the blooding and to manage the swelling.

Minimize Movement

Individuals with an injury need to avoid moving too much if they are bleeding or if a tooth has been knocked out. For a tooth that is displaced, hold it in the proper position and apply a cold compress. It’s best to hold this position until a dentist can provide treatment.

If someone has a dislocated or broken jaw, this is a more serious problem and requires a visit to the emergency room in most cases. However, if you have an emergency dentist, you can use a bandanna or bandage to help immobilize the jaw. Find a comfortable position to avoid aggravating the condition.

Apply a Cold Compress

This is a smart solution for swelling that is caused by most dental emergencies. Be sure to apply the cold compress over the injured area to help the swelling subside and to help control the bleeding.

Putting a Knocked-Out Tooth Back in the Socket

If your tooth has been knocked out of the mouth, try to put it back in the socket. However, be sure to use care when doing this to increase the chances it will survive until a dentist can restore it.

Some tips to use to help handle a knocked-out tooth include:

• Avoid touching the tooth’s root.
• If the tooth is dirty, hold the crown and clean it using a rinse of saline or milk – never wipe the tooth.
• You can attempt to put the tooth back into the socket. If this isn’t possible, put it inside the lip or cheek, or keep it in a container of saliva or milk to preserve it.

In most cases, if you are dealing with a dental emergency, you need to consult a dentist right away. They can assess the situation and provide the treatment needed. There are many local dental offices that offer this service, so be sure to find out which ones are in your area, so you know where to go when a situation occurs.