The holidays offer a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with your kids, whether they are youngsters whose schools are closed for a few weeks or college students home for winter break. With all the hustle and bustle of a full house, however, accidents and injuries sometimes seem to happen more often. Do you know what to do in case of a dental emergency? Being prepared for when an emergency strikes can be the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Don’t let the unexpected ruin the festive season for you and your family. Here are 5 tips to handle dental emergencies during the holidays.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any accident or physical trauma to the mouth that results in serious injury or pain. Examples of common dental emergencies include:
- Loose teeth
- Knocked out tooth
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Persistent toothache
- Cuts to the tissues inside the mouth
- Lost crown or filling
How to Take Action in an Emergency
If you or your child experience a dental emergency over the holidays, your first step should always be to call an emergency dentist in Norman. He or she will likely be able to schedule you a same-day appointment in order to provide you or your family member the urgent care needed.
Even before you arrive at the dentist’s office, however, there are some immediate steps you can take to prevent further damage and ease the pain, such as:
- Tip #1: Knocked Out Tooth – Being careful not to touch the roots, try placing the tooth back in the original socket. If you cannot, place the tooth in a small, secure container filled with milk until you reach the dentist’s office.
- Tip #2: Cracked or Broken Tooth – Collect any broken tooth pieces and bring them with you to the dentist’s office. It may be possible to reattach them. Use a cold compress to reduce any swelling.
- Tip #3: Bleeding from the Mouth – Clean the area by rinsing with warm water. Apply a cold compress to relieve swelling.
- Tip #4: Toothaches – Rinse your mouth with warm water and take over-the-counter pain killers to reduce inflammation.
- Tip #5: Lost Crown or Filling – Clove oil, applied with a cotton swab, can temporarily dull the tooth pain.
How to Prevent Dental Trauma
While accidents cannot always be avoided, there are some simple precautions every family should take to reduce the likelihood of dental injuries, such as:
- Avoid Hard Foods – Avoid chewing on hard foods that can crack teeth, such as candy canes, popcorn kernels, olives with pits or ice cubes.
- Wear a Protective Mouth Guard – Have your children wear a custom mouth guard to protect their teeth when playing backyard football, ice skating or participating in other physical activities.
- Do Not Use Teeth as Tools – Never use teeth to tear open packages. Grab the scissors instead!
- Regular Oral Care – Make sure you and your children see a dentist every six months for a regular dental checkup to prevent tooth decay and other oral health problems.
Relax and enjoy the festive season with the entire family by following the dental emergency advice above. Happy holidays!
About the Author
Dr. Bobby Carmen is proud to serve the community of Norman by providing quality dental care in a friendly, comfortable environment. The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry graduate does his best to schedule same-day appointments in cases of dental emergencies. For more information on how to prevent dental trauma, visit Dr. Carmen’s website or call 405-364-2200.