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Being familiar with what to do in the event of a dental emergency can make a big difference between saving or losing an injured tooth.
Here are some tips:
Keep the tooth wet at all times. Hold the tooth by the crown. If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse the root in the water. DO NOT SCRUB the tooth or remove any attached tissue. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket where it came out. If the tooth cannot be put back in the socket put it into one of the following:
Milk
Mouth (Next to cheek)
Water with a pinch of salt
Bring the tooth and patient to a dentist as soon as possible. Baby teeth that have been knocked out usually are not replaced back into the socket for fear of potential damage to developing permanent teeth.
Rinse the mouth with warm salt water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food possibly caught between the teeth. DO NOT put aspirin directly on the tooth or gum beside the tooth. Take over the counter pain relievers may help until you can see a dentist. Also elevating your head with extra pillows or sleeping in a recliner may help if this occurs thru the night. If there is a "pimple" on the gum next to the tooth rinsing your mouth with very warm salt water may give some relief.
Put cold compresses on the face to keep down swelling. Go to the dentist immediately. If possible, take the broken fragment with you. The dentist may be able to bond the broken piece back onto the tooth.
Apply cold compress to control swelling. Go to a dentist or hospital emergency department immediately.
Clean the area gently with a clean wet paper towel. Put cold compresses on the area to control swelling. You may have more success in giving a child a Popsicle to eat instead of a cold compress. If the bleeding continues wet a tea bag and hold it against the injury. If the bleeding is excessive go to a dentist or hospital emergency department.
Apply ice to the outside of the face near the extraction site. Wet a tea bag and place it over the extraction site. Close down. Hold it in place for about 20 minutes. If bleeding is still excessive call the dentist.