Have Gums, Will Travel

As nicer weather sets in and more folks go on trips, the chances of having dental problems away from home increase. While I hope this never happens to you, it is wise to be prepared for unexpected emergencies.

If you have a dental emergency, first call your own dentist and follow his or her advice. If you need to find a dentist in another city and have friends in the area, ask them to call their dentist as soon as possible to refer you for treatment. (It is much better to be referred to a dental office by a patient than to call as a perfect stranger.)
If you don't have a friend in the area:
     1. Call the local dental society for a referral.
     2. Ask the hotel management for a recommendation.
     3. Call a pharmacy to ask for a recommendation.
     4. If out of the United States, contact the embassy or armed forces base. Usually government   

         officials can recommend qualified foreign professionals.
     5. Look in the yellow pages--as a last resort.

Dental Emergency Procedures
The following techniques can offer some relief until you are able to see a dentist.

Toothache
     1. Rinse your mouth vigorously with warm salt-water to remove any debris. Use dental floss to    

         clean out any areas between the teeth where food may be trapped.
     2. Place ice packs or cold compresses on the outside of the cheek if swelling is present. Do not

         apply heat, as this will bring the infection to the surface. Also do not place an aspirin tablet on

         the tooth or gum tissue, as this is extremely caustic and can burn the inside of your mouth.
     3. Swallow aspirin, Tylenol or Advil for pain. Holding a piece of ice on the web of the skin between

         the index finger and thumb on the side with the pain can also help relieve it. (It's not known

         why this technique is effective; however, this is the area used to insert acupuncture needles to

         relieve toothache pain. It is also the area where acupressure is applied to relieve headaches.)

Broken filling, chipped or broken tooth

     1. Rinse with warm salt water to remove debris.
     2. Avoid very hot, cold, sticky or sweet food or drink.
     3. Keep the tooth covered with a piece of sugarless gum if the air causes sensitivity.
     4. Cover the area where the filling was lost. A piece of cotton saturated with oil of cloves will 

         reduce sensitivity.
     5. Again do not dissolve an aspirin tablet on the tooth or gum.

Injury to the lip or gum
     1. Apply pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth.
     2. Go to a hospital emergency room if this procedure does not stop the bleeding.

Object wedged between the teeth
     1. Try to remove object with floss, toothbrush or by flushing the mouth with water.
     2. Allow a dentist to remove it if your attempt is unsuccessful.

Fractured jaw

     1. Tie a handkerchief, scarf or towel around jaw to immobilize it.
     2. Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Seek the care of an Oral Surgeon immediately.

 

Orthodontic problems
     1. If a wire is irritating the tissue, cover the end of it with a small cotton ball, a piece of gauze, or

         paraffin until you can see a dentist.
     2. If a wire is embedded in the tissue, do not try to remove it yourself. See a dentist immediately.
     3. If an appliance loosens or breaks, take the appliance and broken piece to an orthodontist.

Avulsed (knocked out) tooth
     1. Do not attempt to clean the tooth by brushing it or scrubbing it. If it is dirty, rinse it gently

         under running water. However, it must be kept moist.
     2. Place to tooth in a cup of milk or cool water or carefully in your cheek.
     3. Immediately go to a dentist and be sure to bring the tooth along. The chances of successful

         reimplantation are good if it is done with in 30 minutes.

Lost crown
     1. Try to replace to crown over the tooth structure. If it won't stay in place use denture adhesive

         as a temporary "cement".
     2. If you cannot replace the crown, cover the tooth structure with a piece of sugarless gum or

         paraffin to protect the tooth from sensitivity.

Broken denture

     1. If the denture is cracked and no longer fits well, use denture adhesive until it can be repaired.
     2. Having a "spare" denture is an excellent safeguard against problems.

 

In any event, seek dental care for any problem as soon as possible. Dental problems get worse with time--not better. The small problem of today can often turn into an extensive and expensive problem tomorrow.

Our office and many others are happy to help friends of patients who need emergency aid while in this area. If you are planning to travel, see your dentist at least a month prior to leaving. This will allow ample time to have any necessary treatment completed.

Once again, we hope that these suggestions will minimize any problems that may occur "en root".

-Richard B. Shapiro, D.D.S. (404)523-2514
Reprinted from The Bond Community Star