In this second of a two part series we complete our list of emergeny tips. Dr Hamill is available to answer emergency question after hour and should be consulted before starting treatment.
Bitten tongue, cheek, lips, etc: Gently rinse area with cool water or wipe with damp gauze or cloth. Swelling is controlled with a cold pack or crushed ice in a ziplock. If bleeding continues, apply pressure with cool wet gauze or teabag. Take appropriate pain medication.
Gum Boil: Keep the area clean by gentle toothbrushing and rinsing with salt water. If pain and swelling increases in the area then cool compresses and pain medications will help. Do not try to pop the boil. You may need to be put on antibiotics. See us as soon as possible.
Knocked out Tooth: Save the tooth or tooth pieces in a balanced saline solution, contact lens solution, milk or water. If bleeding continues, apply pressure with cool wet gauze or teabag. Take appropriate pain medication. Do not clean the area as the tissue fragments will help the healing process if the tooth can be reinserted. Be gentle with the developing clot, no spitting, smoking or use of a straw. You must get to a dentist within 60 minutes to have any real chance of saving the tooth.
Loose Baby Tooth: If the child can wiggle the tooth out...great! Encourage the child to move the tooth in all directions, but do not use large forces. Slow and steady usually wins out. If both the adult tooth and baby tooth are visible then see us for an assessment.
Toothache: Avoid the area as much as possible: no biting, or food items in the area, avoid hot and cold drinks. If pain increases and swelling occurs, then a cold compress in the area will help. Pain medications as needed. See us as soon as possible, you will likely have to take antibiotics.
Teething Pains: Freeze or chill some baby carrots and apply them to the area. Ice chips in a ziplock or cloth is also good. Some mild pain relievers and teeth gel (follow the instructions closely, do not overuse) can help.
Wisdom Tooth: Brush your teeth and rinse with warm salt water. If the area begins to swell and pain increases, a cool compress and pain medications will help the situation. You may need to take antibiotics and the tooth/teeth will likely need to come out. Give us a call immediately
* In general, Advil (Motrin/Ibuprofen) 200mg every 4-6 hours should help pain and reduce inflammation. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) 325mg every 4-6 hours is a good alternative. Different pain medications can be described once your situation is evaluated.
