Dental First Aid and Emergencies -Every patient must be aware of

Written by Dr Amrita Jain

Medically reviewed by  Dr. Vidhi Bhanushali Kabade BDS, TCC

Last updated May 2, 2024

Written by Dr Amrita Jain

Medically reviewed by  Dr. Vidhi Bhanushali Kabade BDS, TCC

Last updated May 2, 2024

Medical emergencies can happen to anyone, and one must be already prepared for that. We follow a healthy lifestyle, have medical insurance and go for regular checkups. But do you know that your teeth are also at risk of having a dental emergency?

Here are a few possibilities of dental emergencies and how you can prevent them.

Accidentally biting hard

The pressure from accidentally biting hard may cause the tooth or teeth to fracture. This may result in unbearable pain, swelling and sensitivity to hot and cold foods.

A cracked or fractured tooth is not easily visible. X-ray too cannot always show the cracks but they may reveal the issues in the pulp of your teeth.

If a patient is taking anticoagulants like heparin or has Vitamin K deficiency, there are more chances of increased bleeding.

Incase of gum infections

Rexidine-M forte intra oral gel

Our mouth is full of bacteria where there is a high risk of infection. Generally, a dentist gives antibiotics to prevent infection. Gum infections can also cause pain giving it an illusion of a tooth pain. In such times always keep a rexidine-M forte intra oral gel with you. This gel helps you with getting relief from any kind of oral pain temporarily. It can also help you get relief from any oral ulcers. Hence carrying this gel and keeping it handy or in your travel kit seems to be a good idea.

Rinsing with warm salt water also helps you fight from various bacteria that cause either gum infections or tooth infections.

But if the patient has swelling or pus for a long time, the bleeding may continue and acute pain and infection may increase.

Swelling

Some dental infections may result in swelling and pain. In such cases do not apply any hot or cold packs. Instead rush to or call  your dentist for immediate medications and pain relief. Your dentist might prescribe you antibiotics and pain killers according to the severity of the swelling and infection.

Sudden sensitivity

Some people can face sudden tooth sensitivity in one tooth or many teeth after consuming cold beverages and ice creams. This sensitivity can last upto a few seconds to few minutes. In such cases using a desensitizing tooth paste like Vantej can help you get relief from this sharp sensitivity.

Accidentally falling down and losing your tooth

If your tooth gets knocked out, do NOT touch it by the roots.  Instead, pick the tooth up by the other side (the one you chew on) and do so very carefully and immediately reach out to your dentist within 30 minutes with your tooth. Your dentist might be able to place your tooth back into the socket and help you save your tooth within time.

Dental first aid kit every patient must have

Keeping an antiseptic mouth wash incase you face a vague gum pain.

Keeping a medicated mouthwash as prescribed by your dentist can help you get away with certain gum infections so don’t forget to keep them handy while you travel.

Using toothpicks can further cause gum infections hence one must always use a dental floss to remove the food particles stuck between your teeth.

Always keep Rexidine-M forte intra oral gel tube with you give relief from mouth ulcers or any gum pain and infections.

If you are wearing braces always carry a piece of wax strip given by your dentist incase you face any pricking sensation from any appliances.

Incase of any burns from eating hot and spicy food remember to place cold packs on the area of the burn. Or you can simply apply rexidine-M forte gel.

Keeping a pain killer for example a normal paracetamol or tablet Ketorol -dt incase of severe and sharp dental pain under the guidance of your dentist could save your day.

Tips for dental emergency

  1. For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse your mouth using warm water to avoid infection.
  2. Use slightly cold water to rinse your mouth if you face bleeding from your gums while or after brushing.
  3. If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the injury site with water and apply a cold pack.
  4. For tooth pain, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out.
  5. If you have a knocked-out tooth, wash it with water. Do not rub the tooth and place in it either milk, water, saliva or Save-a-tooth solution and visit your dentist within one hour.
  6. Show your injury to your dentist immediately. Avoid hard foods: These foods may cause fractures in tooth or pain and results in a dental emergency.
  7. Wear a mouth guard: If you are playing any sport, wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth from injury.
  8. Maintain proper oral hygiene.
  9. Visit your dentist regularly to avoid further complications.
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

scanO (formerly DentalDost)

Stay Informed, Smile On!


Author Bio: Dr. Amrita Jain is a practicing dental surgeon since 4 years. She completed her B.D.S in 2016 and was has been a rank holder throughout her course. She suggests “Holistic dentistry is the best dentistry”. Her treatment line follows a conservative pattern which means saving a tooth is of utmost priority and preventing your teeth from getting decayed rather than curing it with a root canal treatment. She inculcates the same while consulting her patients. Apart from her interest in clinical practice, she has developed interest in research and writing over a period of time. She states “It is my clinical experience that motivates me to write and spread dental awareness”. Her articles are well researched with a combination of technical knowledge and clinical experience.

You May Also Like…

Why do you need teeth bonding?

Why do you need teeth bonding?

Tooth bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses a tooth-colored resin material to enhance the appearance of the...

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *