The most common causes of tooth, gum, and jaw pain are debris lodged under the gum line, a lost filling or crown, a cracked or broken tooth, or an infection. Only a thorough examination by your Dentist can determine the underlying cause of severe pain.
Possible Broken Jaw
Go to the emergency room immediately. Do not move your jaw. Secure your jaw in place with a handkerchief, necktie, or towel tied around the jaw and over the top of the head. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
It may be possible to reattach the pieces to your tooth - only your Dentist can tell you for sure. Take the following steps and see your Dentist right away. Remember to take the pieces with you.
For the injured person:
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Apply gauze to the area and use firm pressure to stop the bleeding. Try to find the chipped or broken tooth pieces right away.
When the bleeding stops, apply a cold compress to the injured area to minimize swelling. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of constant, firm pressure, see your dentist or go to the emergency room.
For chipped or broken tooth:
Save the tooth's pieces and rinse the pieces and your mouth with warm water. If the tooth's pieces are dirty, place a towel or dishcloth in a sink (so the pieces cannot fall into the drain), and gently rinse them.
Place the pieces in a small container and cover them with milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person.
Knocked-Out Tooth:
A dislodged tooth is always a dental emergency and it’s important that you see a dentist as soon as possible.
A Child's Baby Tooth:
Call your dentist right away. If the child's baby tooth is completely knocked out, chances are it cannot be re-implanted. If this happens, the missing tooth will be replaced naturally when the child's permanent (adult) tooth grows in.
A Permanent (Adult) Tooth
You have a 1-2 hour window in which your tooth has a chance for re-implantation - only your Dentist can tell you for sure. Take the following steps and see your Dentist right away. Remember to take your protected tooth with you.
For the Injured Person
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Apply gauze to the area and use firm pressure to stop the bleeding. Try to find the missing tooth right away.
When the bleeding stops, apply a cold compress to the injured area to minimize swelling. If bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of constant, firm pressure, see your dentist or go to the emergency room.
Place the tooth in a small container and cover it with milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person.
A Broken Tooth
Hold the tooth only by its crown (the enamel, visible portion). If the tooth or root is dirty, place a towel or dishcloth in a sink (so the tooth cannot fall into the drain), and gently rinse the tooth and root but DO NOT SCRUB it or remove any gum tissue that may still be attached to the root.
If possible, gently place the tooth back into its gum socket facing the correct direction (making sure that you do not force the tooth back in place). If this is not possible, place the tooth in a small container and cover the tooth with milk, water with a pinch of salt, or saliva from the injured person.
Lost Filling or Crown
Schedule an appointment with your dentist. You can relieve pain caused by air in contact with the exposed part of your tooth by using clove oil (available over-the-counter in pharmacies and supermarkets). Just dip a cotton swab in clove oil and apply it to the exposed part of your tooth. Putting an ice pack on your face over the area that hurts also may relieve the pain.
Filling
If you found the filling, put it in a safe place and take it with you when you see your dentist.
To make your tooth more comfortable, fill the hole in your tooth with tooth wax or cement (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy). Do not use any household adhesives in your mouth.
Crown:
If you found the crown, you may temporarily replace it yourself until you see your dentist.
Gently clean any debris from the inside of your crown.
To the inside of your crown, apply denture adhesive, dental cement or toothpaste before slipping the crown back in place to protect your tooth.
Toothache
Clean your mouth out by rinsing thoroughly with warm water. Gently floss around the tooth to remove any food particles that may be trapped between your teeth or just under your gum line. If your tooth continues to hurt, see your dentist as soon as possible.
Gums and Soft Tissue Problems:
Bitten Tongue or Lip
A small cut (less than 1/4 inch) is likely to heal itself.
Carefully wipe the area clean with gauze or a cloth. Apply a cold compress, ice pack, or small bag of frozen fruit or vegetables to the area to minimize swelling.
If the cut is larger than 1/4 inch, or if bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of cold treatment, go to the emergency room.
Burned Roof of Mouth
Eating very hot food (like pizza) can burn the roof of your mouth. These painful sores and blisters typically heal on their own. If they have not healed after 10 days, see your dentist.
In the meantime, use warm salt water rinses (1/8 of a teaspoon in 8 ounces of water) after meals to keep the area clean. If pain relief is needed to use a topical oral anesthetic (found over-the-counter at your pharmacy). You can also take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.
Mouth Sores
If your mouth sores are caused by having new braces, apply a topical anesthetic (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy). To alleviate pain, take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.
Pain, Swelling, or Abscess
See your dentist right away because gum pain or swelling can be the symptoms of an abscess (infection) that forms in gum tissue or in a tooth's root and the area that surrounds it. There are many reasons why gums can swell, become painful, or abscess. Only a thorough exam by your Dentist can identify the underlying cause.
If the abscess ruptures, you may experience a sudden rush of foul-smelling and foul-tasting fluid from the swollen or painful area. Rinse your mouth with warm water immediately.
Issues with Braces
For a day or two after braces or retainers have been adjusted, you may experience discomfort. To help alleviate discomfort, rinse your mouth with warm salt water or take acetaminophen as directed on the packaging label.
A Poking Wire
Call your Orthodontist to describe the situation and schedule an appointment. Use a Q-tip or pencil eraser to push the wire flat against the tooth. If the wire cannot be moved into a comfortable position, cover it with dental wax (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy) and see your dentist or orthodontist.
Bracket Knocked Off
Call your Orthodontist to describe the situation and schedule an appointment. If the loose bracket has rotated on the wire and is sticking out, attempt to turn it back into its normal position. To minimize the movement of the loose brace, use dental wax (available over-the-counter at your pharmacy).
Lost Wire or Ligature
Schedule an appointment with your Orthodontist. If you found the rubber ligature, you may be able to put it back in place using sterile tweezers.
Food or Debris Trapped Between Teeth
Stubborn food particles can get stuck between teeth. While this can be uncomfortable, it is not a dental emergency. If floss is not sufficient to remove, try using an interproximal brush or toothpick.
For non-food debris that has become wedged between teeth, carefully insert a piece of dental floss (never a sharp or pointed object) between your teeth. Be gentle so you do not cut the gum tissue. If you are unable to remove the object, see your dentist right away.
Inhaled Prosthetic Material
If a piece of dental work breaks off and becomes inhaled into your lungs, call 911 immediately and go to the hospital emergency room for treatment.
Swallowed Prosthetic Material
Call your dentist or Orthodontist to discuss appropriate next steps. If in pain call 911 and go to the hospital emergency room for treatment.
Enjoy Healthier Teeth and Gums!
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