Be Prepared For Any Dental Emergencies!

We all enjoy doing recreational activities with our families and friends.   Activities like swimming, boating, biking, hiking, swimming and even a playground can lead to sudden dental emergencies.  Teeth may be knocked out, chipped or cracked after a mouth injury.  Dr. Mary Rose wants everyone to be prepared for a dental emergency.

1. Post Dr. Mary Rose’s office information prominently where you can find it easily and add our office information to your cell phone contacts.
2. Prepare a dental emergency kit for your family.

• Two zippered sandwich bags (to fill with ice)
• Clean washcloth or handkerchief (to place between your face and the ice bag)
• Sterile gauze pads (to use if the tooth injury is bleeding)
• Sterile tweezers (to remove debris from the mouth or pick up the tooth)
• Plastic container (to transport the tooth)

3. Contact Dr. Mary Rose, however, if you are out of town you may go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some common dental emergencies and how to deal with them.  Contact Dr. Mary Rose for further instructions, however, if you are out of town you may go to the nearest emergency room.

WHAT DO I DO IF I KNOCK OUT MY TOOTH?

For a knocked-out tooth, keep it moist at all times.  Use tweezers to pick up the tooth (without touching the root if possible) and place in a plastic container.  The container will need milk or a saltwater solution.

WHAT DO I DO IF I CRACK MY TOOTH?

For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area.  Call Dr. Mary Rose to have the area evaluated.

WHAT DO I DO IF I BITE MY TONGUE OR LIP?

If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply the bag of ice and washcloth.  If there is excessive bleeding or the bleeding won’t stop contact Dr. Mary Rose.

WHAT DO I DO IF I THINK MY JAW IS BROKEN?

If you think your jaw is broken apply a bag of ice and washcloth to control the swelling.  Go to your dentist or emergency room immediately.

HOW CAN I AVOID A DENTAL EMERGENCY?

Dr. Mary Rose informs her patients there are precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth.

1. Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy which can crack a tooth.
2. Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
3. Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.