If you experience pinching pain in the gums or tooth that doesn't go away, don't ignore it, says Dr Karishma Jaradi.
Dental emergencies like pain in your teeth, jaws or gums are unpredictable and cannot be ignored.
The pain accompanied is niggling or excruciating. Besides, there is a risk of further damage -- a permanent one at that, which may involve lengthy treatments making a dent in the teeth as well as the pocket.
These infections, if left untreated, can spread to the different parts of the body.
There may be times when your dentist may be unreachable.
Here are some quick fixes that will give respite to you at the time of crisis post which, you should immediately follow up with the dentist.
1. Presence of abscess
If your gums or tooth roots are painful, rinse your mouth with a glass of warm water and salt at least 4-5 times a day.
This will help in somewhat limiting the pain.
2. Toothache
If you suddenly start suffering from a pinching pain in the tooth, start by rinsing your mouth with warm water.
In case you are able to see a cavity where the pain is emerging from, don’t allow any food to lodge in that cavity as it may aggravate the condition.
This should be done immediately after you sense the pain for better results in terms of comfort.
If the pain is unbearable, take a painkiller after consulting a general physician.
While many people suggest lodging a painkiller near the tooth that is paining, never indulge in it as it may burn the gum tissue.
3. Food lodged in the teeth
Owing to the design of the teeth, there is a chance that sticky food items get lodged in the crown of the teeth or some gap between two teeth.
Never allow food to settle there as the bacteria here will lead to cavity formation.
If food is settled, try brushing or using floss.
Using a toothpick or any other sharp objects like a safety pin is not only dangerous but it will also spoil the gums and the enamel of your teeth.
4. Dental cement comes off
If the dental cement comes off from a cavity, immediately seal that area with a sugar-free chewing gum so that no food particle gets stuck there.
After this initial setting, please visit the dentist who will redo the filling.
5. Broken teeth
There may be times when while eating or maybe a fall the teeth may break or chip off.
If this happens, first rinse your mouth to clear off all pieces.
If bleeding persists, dab a piece of cotton or gauze in that area to stop bleeding.
An ice pack can keep the mouth from swelling because of the chipped or broken teeth temporarily but needs dentist's attention immediately.
6. Tooth falling from the socket
If your tooth falls off from the tooth socket, hold it from the top part also called a crown and wash it.
Take care that while washing you don’t remove any tissue pieces that are attached to the teeth as they may be needed by the dentist for examination.
A good idea is to try to lodge the teeth in its original place but if not possible, place it in a container that acts aids in cell growth.
This may be a small container of milk or a container with water and salt.
One can save the teeth if a dentist tends to it within one hour of knock out.
7. Crown of the teeth falling
The crown is very important as it safeguards the teeth.
If a crown falls down, keep it safe and take it to the dentist who might fix the same in case dental cement wore away.
Otherwise, measurements for a new crown will be taken and fixed.
8. Hanging tooth or partially dislodged tooth
In this case, it might be irritating and painful to tend to teeth that are left hanging partially in the jaw cavity.
Take care that you don’t give any stress to the side where the teeth are lodged and if pain persists take a painkiller.
Also, as it hangs on to the tissue of the teeth, one should consider using topical anaesthetic gel like Mucopain to relieve pain temporarily and visit a dentist at the earliest to ensure no infection rises.
9. The braces break off randomly when fixed to the teeth
In such cases, never try to cut the wire that has broken off.
It can lead to bigger dangers like bruises or accidental swallowing of wire.
Instead, try to put the wire back to its original position or put a small piece of cotton or wax at the open end so that it doesn’t prick.
Once this temporary setting is done, visit the dentist who will set it right.
Dr Karishma Jaradi is aesthetic dentist at Dentzz Dental, Mumbai.
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