Emergencies and Discomfort

Patient's Guide for Dental Emergencies

	Toothache Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or apply a cold compress. Take acetarninophen or ibuprofen for pain and see a dentist as soon as possible.
	Knocked Out Permanent Tooth Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), but do not touch the root portion. You may rinse the tooth gently in cool water, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily, and DO NOT use soap! Try to reinsert it in its socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or water. See a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
	Broken Braces and Wires If a broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot, cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the child to a dentist immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child do not usually require emergency attention.
	Broken Tooth Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold compresses over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Immediate dental attention is necessary
	Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to the hospital emergency room.
	Other Emergency Conditions Possible Broken Jaw: If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaw from moving by using a towel, tie, or handkerchief. Then take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room. Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out: Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This may be repeated once; if bleeding persists, see a dentist. Cold/Canker Sores: Many children occasionally suffer from "cold" or "canker" sores. Usually over-the-counter preparations give relief. Because some serious diseases may begin as sores, it is important to have a dental evaluation if these sores persist

Discomfort

Activating the braces to move teeth usually will result in some initial discomfort. This usually lasts about 48 to 72 hours, and then the teeth are comfortable again. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although our patients report a lessening of pain as the treatment progresses.

Following an orthodontic adjustment, our office would be happy to write a note to your parents suggesting some of your favorite soft foods at dinner time. This is an effective way to pick what you'll be having for dinner.

Emergencies

Even though you are careful, you still may occasionally do some damage to your appliances. If a band comes loose from a tooth, CALL OUR OFFICE AT ONCE. While a tight band actually protects a tooth from decay, a loose band is extremely dangerous and decay under it occurs very rapidly.

If you are out of town: Have an orthodontist or dentist cut the little fine wire and take off the band. Keep all the parts and bring them in when you come back to our office.

If a main archwire breaks (the one that goes all the way around the outside of your braces), call our office for an emergency appointment.

If a small wire breaks, carefully remove it and call our office. If you are unable to take care of a sticking wire, place some wax over the sticker. This wax is provided for you by our office. Any time you need more, just ask us.

Sometimes a sticker can be safely turned down so that it no longer causes you discomfort. Ask someone at home to take a pencil eraser, or some other smooth object, and tuck the offending little wire back in out of the way.

If you are involved in contact sports, a regular mouthguard can be fitted over your braces for added protection.

E-mail us:

DrFrank@DrFrankSmiles.com

Staff@DrFrankSmiles.com