Strap on those helmets and buckle up those seatbelts because it’s National Safety Month! In a perfect world, these precautions would have the power to completely prevent injuries. Unfortunately, though, accidents do happen, no matter how hard we try to protect ourselves. For accidents and emergencies of a dental nature, it is important to…
Strap on those helmets and buckle up those seatbelts because it’s National Safety Month! In a perfect world, these precautions would have the power to completely prevent injuries. Unfortunately, though, accidents do happen, no matter how hard we try to protect ourselves. For accidents and emergencies of a dental nature, it is important to call your Knoxville dentist, immediately.
If a dental emergency arises, and you are unable to see Dr. Erpenbach right away, there are small steps you can take to preserve your oral health and prevent further damage to your mouth. Do you know what these steps are? Take the following quiz and see how well you could handle yourself in a dental emergency.
1. What should you do if you’ve knocked out a tooth and cannot place it back into its socket?
a. Place it into a glass of milk
b. Place it into a glass of orange juice
c. Throw it away
The answer is a, place it into a glass of milk. (First, rinse the tooth gently while holding it by the crown.) The calcium from the milk will protect the tooth’s enamel, whereas the acid in orange juice will erode it. And don’t forget to bring the tooth with you when you go the dentist!
2. For a filling that has fallen out, what can you use to temporarily seal it?
a. Glue
b. A small piece of sugarless gum
c. Tape
The answer is b, a small piece of sugarless gum. Another option is over-the-counter dental cement. Tape and glue, however, are not viable solutions and should never be placed inside the mouth.
3. If a toothache is bothering you, why shouldn’t you put an aspirin against the affected tooth?
a. Your tongue might swell.
b. It will turn your teeth blue.
c. It could burn your gum tissue.
The answer is c, it could burn your gum tissue. Instead, place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek. That will provide temporary pain relief, as well as reduce any swelling. Also, be sure to rinse your mouth with warm water, and use dental floss to remove stuck food particles.
How would you fare in a dental emergency? For other tips on protecting your teeth or to schedule an appointment with our Knoxville dentist office, call 865-584-8630. We serve patients in West Knoxville and Bearden, Tennessee.
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