Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
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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 solve the dental problem. Please be sure to consult with a dentist as soon as
possible.
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.
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.
*See Medications note under "Dental First Aid
Supplies".
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.
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.Tooth Anatomy.
Broken or Fractured Tooth
- Try to clean
the soil, blood and other debris from the injured area with a sterile graze or
cotton swab and warm water or hydrogen peroxide.
- Apply a cold compress on the cheek next to the injured tooth to reduce
swelling.
- Try to gently bite the teeth together. Check for displacement of teeth. If
possible, gently move the displaced tooth or teeth into their correct position.
- If the tooth has been pushed up into the socket or gum by the blow, do not
attempt to pull it out into position. (It will re-erupt normally on its own.)
- If the broken tooth has a sharp edge, it may be covered with paraffin (wax) to
prevent tissue lacerations.
- An aspirin or aspirin substitute* may be given for pain .
- Go to the dentist AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Traumatic Avulsion (loss) of Tooth
PERMANENT TOOTH ONLY
Look in the accident
area for the tooth that was knocked out.
- If found, DO NOT attempt to clean the tooth. Washing the tooth off
could destroy the connective fibers which help anchor the tooth in the
mouth.
- If the tooth has been on the ground, wipe off the tooth - do not wash
it. Place the tooth into the socket before a bloodclot forms in the
socket. Check on the patient's medical/dental history to see if the
tetanus immunization is current. If not current, the patient
should be taken to the family physician within 24 hours for a booster
injection. Tetanus (lockjaw) can cause serious health problems. If the
patient is not cooperative or if you are not comfortable with
reinserting the tooth, place the tooth in a cup of milk (the preferred
storage medium) or wrap it in wet cloth or gauze.
- Go to the dentist IMMEDIATELY. Many times the tooth can be
successfully reimplanted and saved if accomplished within one hour.
- As aspirin or aspirin substitute* may be given for pain.
*See medications note under "Dental First
Aid Supplies".
Jaw Fracture or Dislocation
-If a jaw
fracture or dislocation is suspected, immobilize the jaw by any means available.
Place a scarf, handkerchief, tie or towel under the chin and tie the ends on top
of the person's head.
-Go immediately to an oral surgeon or hospital emergency room. At the
hospital the patient should be seen by an oral-maxillofacial, orthopedic
or plastic surgeon, if available.
Orthodontic Emergencies
FOR IRRITATION
IN THE MOUTH CAUSED BY A PROTRUDING WIRE FROM ORTHODONTIC BANDS, THE FOLLOWING
PROCEDURES ARE RECOMMENDED:
-A blunt item (tongue depressor, cotton swab, or pencil eraser) may be used to
bend the wire so it is no longer irritating to the soft oral tissues.
-When the protruding wire cannot be bent simply cover the end of it with
paraffin (wax), a piece of gauze or a small cotton ball so it is no longer
causing irritation.
-Do not attempt to remove any wire that is embedded in the cheeks, gum or
tongue. Make an immediate appointment with the dentist or orthodontist.
-The placement and adjustment of orthodontic bands/wires can cause some
discomfort for a few days. Some relief can be achieved by holding warm salt
water (1/2 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water) in the mouth. Aspirin or
aspirin substitute can give additional relief. A semi-solid diet is
recommended until the mouth feels comfortable to resume normal chewing.
-If a wire or appliance becomes loose or broken and cannot be removed easily, go
to the dentist or orthodontist immediately.
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.
Lacerated Lip or Tongue
-Apply
direct pressure to the bleeding area with a sterile 2X2 gauze square for
15-30 minutes.
-If swelling is present, apply a cold compress (lip injury).
-If the bleeding does not stop readily, or the injury is severe, go
directly to a hospital emergency room.
-Check for broken/fractured or avulsed teeth.
-Vigorous bleeding may be expected initially.
Dr. Patrick A. Palma
620 Commercial Street Mingo Junction, Ohio 43938
Telephone : 740 - 535 - 0600
Fax : 740 - 535 - 1920
Copyright © 2005 [Dr. Patrick A. Palma]. All rights reserved.