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Anxious Patients | Dental Emergencies | Wisdom Tooth Extractions
Dental emergencies
Accidents can happen at anytime and it can be difficult to know what to do if it is an ‘after hours’ event. If you find yourself with a dental emergency, don’t panic. These tips can tell you what to do in case of a dental emergency:
Toothache
Clean your mouth by rinsing thoroughly with warm salty water. Gently floss around the tooth to remove any food particles that may be caught there. You should call our practice as soon as possible and only take medication that you would normally take for a headache. It is important to remember that a toothache is a sign that you require medical attention.
Broken tooth
If your tooth breaks, you should contact us as soon as possible. You should also clean your mouth by rinsing thoroughly with warm salty water. If you are experiencing pain, you should only take medication that you would normally take for a headache.
Tooth knocked out
If your tooth has been knocked out, hold the tooth by the crown, not the root and rinse the tooth off very gently to make sure it is clean. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue that is attached. If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket; be sure to make sure you replace the tooth the right way around. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container or cup of milk. You should contact our practice or your local emergency room immediately.
Bitten tongue or lip
If you have bitten your tongue or lip, gently wipe the area clean with a cloth. Apply a cold compress to the area to minimise any swelling. If the bleeding will not stop, you should contact us or your local emergency room for attention.
