A dental emergency can occur any time. It is essential to know how to handle it lest it should create further complications. Careful handling of a dental emergency minimizes the damage done. Here are the common dental emergencies and how to handle them before you reach your dentist.



Toothache: Remove any lodged food particles between the teeth. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Use cold compress on the outside in case of a swelling. Use of home remedies such as clove oil to control the pain. Visit your dentist as soon as possible.

A broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and salvage the broken pieces of tooth. Apply gauze to control bleeding. Use cold compress to control swelling and visit your dentist immediately.

Knocked-out tooth: A knocked out tooth can be saved provided that you reach your dentist as soon as possible. The best possible chances of saving the tooth are if you reach your dentist within an hour of it being knocked out. Preserve and take the tooth along with you to the dentist. It should be stored in milk or saliva.

An object trapped between teeth: Do not use sharp objects like pins to remove food/object trapped between the teeth as they can damage the gums. Use dental floss for removing the trapped object. If that doesn't work, visit your dentist.

Loss of filling: This too can be fixed by your dentist. You can make a temporary arrangement by filling it up with over-the-counter dental cement. A piece of sugarless gum can also be used. However, do not use sugary gum as it will cause pain.

Fallen crown: Apply clove oil on the exposed area of the tooth. You can use temporary measures to stick the crown back. The inner surface of the crown should be coated with over-the-counter dental cement and toothpaste. This is a temporary measure and you should consult your dentist at the earliest.

Breaking of braces wires: Breakage of wires, bands or braces may occur which may poke in the mouth. Covering the end with small cotton ball or wax and pushing it back may act as a temporary fix and consult your orthodontist immediately. Do not attempt to cut the wire on your own.

Loose braces: Orthodontic wax can be used to fix the loosened bands or placed over the bands to give a cushioning effect. The loose portions will be cemented back by the orthodontist.

Abscess: It's difficult for the average person to diagnose himself as having tooth abscess. An abscess is an infection resulting in formation of fluid filled cavity. The best bet is to rinse with salt water and seek your dentist's help immediately.

Injury to soft tissue

The soft tissue parts of the mouth include the gums, tongue lips and cheek. They can be damaged or injured which will be lead to bleeding. Some temporary relief measures are:

-Rinsing mouth with salt water.

-A tea bag or wet gauze should be applied to the bleeding spot and held for 20 minutes.

-Using a cold compress from outside the mouth to limit swelling and pain.

-If the bleeding continues after this, rush to your dentist immediately.