Dr. Patrick A. Palma
2011 All Rights Reserved Address: 620 Commercial Street Mingo Junction, Ohio 43938 Phone ( 740 ) 535 - 0600
Dental First Aid
These pages are designed to aid in treatment of minor dental emergencies.
Although the first aid treatment should provide temporary relief, they can not always
THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE ADDED TO YOUR FIRST AID KIT,
TO BE USED FOR DENTAL EMERGENCIES
MEDICATIONS
Salt
Hydrogen peroxide solution (3%)
Aspirin or aspirin substitute
Oil of cloves
"Orabase with Benzocaine"
BASIC SUPPLIES
Cotton
Cotton swabs
Sterile gauze square(2X2)
Sterile gauze pads
Tea bags
Toothbrushes
Dental floss
Stimudents or toothpicks
Tweezers
Paraffin, candle, or dental wax
Ice pack or wet frozen washcloth
Inflamed or Irritated Gum Tissues
Red swollen or sore gums should be rinsed thoroughly with a warm salt water solution(1/2 teaspoon/teaspoon full of salt in a glass of warm water). Another mouth rinse can be made by mixing equal parts of water and a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Either of these mouth rinses should be swished around the entire mouth for 15-30 seconds
-Inflamed, bleeding, gum tissue can be the result of poor oral hygiene. Diligent removal of plaque by brushing and flossing daily will allow the gums to regain healthy tissue and tone. Toothpaste does not have to be used to remove the plaque - baking soda, salt, or hydrogen peroxide (dilute 3% solution) can be used with a good polished (soft) bristle toothbrush and dental floss can be used to remove plaque and aid in maintaining healthy gums. The use of a toothbrush, coated only with saliva, has also been shown to be effective in plaque removal/control. Recommend to parents that a dentist be consulted.
-Bleeding gums may also be caused by a Vitamin C deficiency or systemic problem. If the condition does not improve with good oral hygiene (brushing 3-4 times a day and flossing at least once a day) a diet evaluation may be in order. A dentist should also be consulted.
-A blow (trauma) to the mouth can cause the gum tissue to swell and bleed. The gums and teeth should be kept clean to decrease the chance of infection. A cold compress may be applied to the area from the outside of the cheek to help control swelling. using a sterile 2X2 gauze square, apply direct pressure to the injured gum or cheek to control the bleeding
Fever Blisters and Cold Sores
- Apply "Orabase with Benzocaine"* (in moderate amounts), or another over the counter product for temporary relief of canker sores.
- Spicy and "acidy" foods should be avoided.
- Aspirin or aspirin substitute* may be given for pain or fever.
Never place the aspirin directly on the sore as it will cause a chemical burn to the tissue.
- Consult a dentist if pain or fever persists.
- Avoid sun or wind exposure and "kissing" contact with others.
Click Here to view the Canker Sore Page
Toothache
- Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm water to clean out any debris.
- Use dental floss to remove any food trapped in the cavity.
- If swelling is present, apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek. DO NOT USE HEAT.
- Aspirin or an aspirin substitute* may be given to relieve pain.
- DO NOT place aspirin directly on the gum tissue or on the aching tooth as it will cause chemical burns.
- Oil of cloves may be applied with a cotton swab onto the effected teeth.
-See a dentist as soon as possible.
Prolonged Bleeding after an Extraction
The patient should be instructed not to rinse or swish at all for 24 hours after an extraction (having a tooth pulled), as this could wash out the bloodclot forming at the extraction site. Normal drinking is permissible however, straws should not be used for 24 hours because the suction created in the mouth could dislodge the bloodclot.
DO NOT BE ALARMED IF THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF BLOOD OOZING FORM THE EXTRACTION SITE. REMEMBER THAT THE BLOOD IS MIXING WITH SALIVA AND THEREFORE, IT MAY APPEAR THAT THERE IS MORE BLEEDING THAN IS ACTUALLY THE CASE. IF THE BLEEDING IS DETERMINED TO BE MORE OOZING (BRIGHT RED BLOOD) , THE FOLLOWING IS RECOMMENDED,
- Replace a sterile gauze 2 x 2 on the extraction site and have the child bite on it for about 30 minutes. Replace soaked gauze 2 x 2 pads with clean ones as necessary.
- If the bleeding persists, wrap a moistened tea bag in a sterile gauze 2 x 2 and bite on it for 30 - 45 minutes. Repeat this procedure as necessary.
- An aspirin SUBSTITUTE* may be given for pain. Avoid aspirin as it reduces the blood's ability to clot.
- If bleeding cannot be controlled within an hour, consult a dentist or physician.
Tooth Eruption Pain
-Try to determine if the pain is from a loose primary (baby) tooth pinching the gum tissue or due to an erupting permanent tooth.
-Prolonged pain (over one week) is unusual and may be caused by an inflammation around an impacted or partially impacted tooth. This type of pain is usually intermittent and less painful than the type of pain associated with a badly decayed tooth. This periodic, prolonged pain is fairly common with eruption of first permanent molars and third molars or wisdom teeth. A dentist should be consulted.
-An aspirin, motrin or tylenol can be given for the temporary relief of pain. Never place the aspirin directly on the tissue in the area of pain, as it can cause a tissue burn (chemical).
-A cold compress or a piece of ice wrapped in a 2X2 gauze square can be directly applied to the eruption site. Due to the numbing effect of the cold, this method can provide temporary relief.
Dr. Patrick A. Palma
Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
( 740 ) 535 - 0600
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