PRINTED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
March 31st, 2012
In this second article of three covering the topic of dental emergencies I wanted to continue to outline sensible steps that should be taken immediately if one of these emergency situations occur.
As I have said before, being prepared and knowing what to do will give you an advantage if you find yourself, partner or child needing emergency dental care and it could possibly be the difference between saving or losing a tooth or teeth. As part of being prepared it is advisable that you save the numbers of your dentist, doctor and hospital into your phone for fast and easy access when you need them.
Mark Osmond Dental Clinic: (649) 432 3777
Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Provo: (649) 941 2800
Cockburn Town Medical Centre, Grand Turk: (649) 941 2900
Toothache
As a first step rinse the mouth out with warm water and then if you are able gently floss to remove any food that may be trapped around the site of the pain. If your face or mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to your face at the affected area. Pain relief such as ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be taken according the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not exceed the stated doses. See a dentist as soon as possible who will be able to identify the cause of the pain and treat it accordingly. This may involve a course of antibiotics, a filling, starting a root canal or an extraction.
Chipped or broken teeth
If you have the piece of broken tooth, save it. Rinse the mouth with warm water to remove any broken fragments or dirt. If there is bleeding, try to stop it by applying direct pressure either by biting down or by pressing with a finger using a clean gauze or cloth. It can be helpful to apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek nearest the effected tooth to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. See your dentist as soon as possible and if you have the piece or pieces of broken tooth bring it with you. This is largely to ensure that the chips of tooth are accounted for and not embedded in soft tissue, inhaled or swallowed.
Lost filling
As a temporary measure you can buy over-the-counter dental cement (available in pharmacies) which you apply to the hole yourself. However it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to replace the lost filling and prevent the original cavity becoming any larger.
Loose or off crown or bridge
As a temporary measure if you cannot get to a dentist immediately and are not happy having a gap in the short term, denture adhesive can be used (available in pharmacies) to temporarily fix the crown back in place. Do not use crazy glue. Book an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible (bringing the crown/ bridge with you.) Providing the supporting tooth is not fractured or decayed it is a simple procedure to recement the crown or bridge.
Lost crown, bridge or denture
If you have completely lost your crown or bridge then your dentist can make an immediate provisional replacement. This will fill any gaps and give time for a permanent replacement to be made.
If you have lost a denture, unfortunately the only option is to take impressions to make a new denture.
Broken Denture
Repairs such as a tooth broken off a denture can sometimes be completed on island. However, more complex repairs, cracks etc require a technician and therefore have to be sent off island.
The final piece covering the topic of dental emergencies will follow in a couple of weeks. In this piece I deal with emergencies such as abscesses, damaged or lost orthodontic appliances and jaw/ soft tissues injuries.
