First Aid for Dental Problems

• Toothache - Can be a forewarning to a possible abscessed tooth. Take pain medication and call your dentist. DO NOT place aspirin directly on teeth or gums. 

• Cracked Filling or Tooth - If painful, take some mild painkillers (e.g.. Tylenol, Advil, ...). Call your dentist to schedule an appointment to get the tooth fixed; if not, it will only get worse.

• Bleeding Gums - Can be an early warning to gum disease. To avoid this, brush and floss thoroughly and rinse with warm saline water at least 2 times a day. Consult your dentist.

• Wisdom Tooth Pain - Take pain medication. Rinse with warm saline water. Consult you dentist.

• Canker Sore - This condition usually heals on its own within 7-10 days. Consult your dentist.

• Loose Crown - DO not use any type of glue to recement  the crown back on the tooth. This could cause pain or damage to the tooth and gum. See your dentist immediately.

• Gum Boil - If painful, take mild pain killers. Rinse at least 4 times a day with warm saline rinses. This condition is a sign of infection; this problem will not solve itself. Call your dentist to schedule an appointment.

• Teething Pain - Cold objects usually help. Over the counter teething ointments will help to relief the pain.

• Chipped Baby Tooth - If painful, take mild pain killers. If you notice swelling, place cold packs over the area. Contact your dentist.

• Broken Denture or Partial - DO not attempt to repair the plate yourself with any adhesive. It will make things worse. Save all broken pieces and go see your dentist.

• Knocked Out Tooth - If you still have the tooth, there is a good chance that is can be reimplanted. Rinse the tooth gently and if it is not too painful try to insert it back into the socket and go to your dentist immediately. Or rinse the tooth gently and place it in your mouth or in a cup of milk and immediately go to see your dentist. 

Tips For Healthy Teeth 

• Regular Check-up - They should be scheduled every 6 months to obtain optimum dental health.

• X-Rays - Serves many purposes and are necessary to detect decay between teeth. 

• First Dental Visit - CHILD: Should be between the age of 2 and 4 years old, unless you suspect a problem.

• Baby Teeth - Guide permanent teeth into proper alignment unless they are removed prematurely. Therefore, it is important to restore them if necessary. 

• Cavities Grow - Small problem are easier and less expensive to repair.

• Foods that Contain Sugar - are the leading cause of tooth decay.

• Gum Disease - most adult teeth are lost to this condition rather than tooth decay.

• Bleeding Gums - can be a sign of gum disease.

• Regular Dental Cleanings - help prevent gum disease.

• Brush Tongue Daily - to help eliminate bad breath and bacteria build-up.

• Fillings - seldom fall out on their own.  Usually they are weakened by surrounding decay.

• Dental Problems - should be taken care of as soon as possible.  Putting off treatment often makes the took more difficult and more expensive to treat.