First Aid for Dental Injuries

First Aid for Dental Injuries: What You Need to Know

Imagine eating something when suddenly you bite your cheek by mistake, or when you are walking around a park when a kid’s playball hits you in the face, causing your tooth to crack. Dental injuries are more common than it may seem and just like other injuries, they too need First aid to manage pain, reduce further damage, and pave the way for fast recovery.

Dental First Aids depends on the type of oral injury and needs to be followed precisely before reaching out to a dentist.

Here are some dental first-aid tips from the best dental clinic in Aurangabad to help you manage dental injuries at the earliest.

For a Fallen Tooth

Accidents or knockouts usually result in the falling of a tooth. It happens when the entirety of a tooth, from the root, falls out from the gum. In such a case, the broken tooth is usually fixable, given you receive proper medical attention, which starts with proper first aid.

Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water- Rinsing the mouth will help you eliminate the blood and any associated bacteria.

Gently rinse with water- The broken tooth needs to be thoroughly cleaned after being picked up from where it had fallen. Make sure to rinse it gently with water to avoid any attached tissues being removed. Also, avoid handling the tooth by the root and holding it by the crown.

Keep it moist- Keep the tooth soaked in milk or your own saliva to keep it moist and healthy for reinsertion. If it dries out, it might be difficult to fix it.

See a dentist- Once the tooth is cleaned and stored in a container with milk or your own saliva, visit a dentist for further treatment, preferably within 30 minutes of the accident.

For Broken Tooth

Sometimes, a part of a tooth may break off from a heavy impact like an accident. This broken piece may or may not be joined back depending on the severity of breaking. However, this impact can be painful and requires immediate first aid.

Rinse your mouth- Use lukewarm water to gently rinse your mouth clean.

Cold compress- A cold compress reduces the pain caused by the broken tooth. Use an ice pack or cold water bottle on the affected areas to reduce pain and swelling.

Consult your dentist- Your dentist can help you prescribe pain relief medication to help reduce pain and discomfort.

Toothaches

Toothaches can happen in almost all ages due to a variety of reasons. If nothing serious, it can be treated at home using some first aid techniques.

Gargle and rinse using salt water- Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and use it to gargle and rinse your mouth, specifically targeting the affected area. This would help in reducing the swelling, pain, and any infections.

Floss- Sometimes, food or debris stuck between teeth can cause malicious pain. After rinsing your mouth with salt water, floss them gently to remove anything stuck inside.

Cold compress and pain relief- Use a cold compress to get rid of the pain and swelling followed dentist prescribed painkillers.

Soft Tissue Injury (Lips, Gums, Cheeks)

Soft tissue injuries in the lips, gums, and mouth can be painful and require first aid to be treated well.

Rinse mouth- Rinse mouth with lukewarm water to avoid infections and reduce pain. This will also reduce any impurities in the mouth.

Apply pressure- Apply pressure to the affected area using a gauze or clean cloth to avoid bleeding. If the bleeding still does not stop after 15 minutes, seek medical attention.

Seek dentist advice- Tissue injuries require medical attention. Visit your dentist to address such injuries and get them treated.

Loose Tooth

Whether it is a loose tooth at the age of falling teeth or premature loosening, it is necessary to take certain precautions to address this issue smoothly.

Avoid touching- Touching the loose tooth repeatedly can loosen it further. This can even lead to the tooth falling out. To avoid this, do not touch it using your finger, or even tongue.

Opt for soft foods- Hard foods may cause the loose tooth to fall out. Thus, it is required that you opt for soft food to avoid this issue.

Visit a dentist- Depending on what is the cause behind the loose teeth, it is required that you visit a dentist to figure out the appropriate treatment.

In case of any injury, it is required to rinse it with lukewarm water immediately. It reduces the chances of infections and swelling. Post the first aid, you need to visit the dentist as soon as possible to treat the injury and minimize pain.

Also, you should not try to perform any treatment yourself and seek medical guidance to avoid further accidents. Dental accidents can be painful but knowing the right first aid for the problem and seeking immediate medical attention and prevent long-term damage. Want to know more? Contact our clinic.