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Emergency Dental Care: Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are some examples of dental care emergencies?

A. Some examples of dentistry emergencies are avulsed teeth, extruded teeth, broken teeth, a bitten tongue or lip, objects that are caught between teeth, toothaches, and possible broken jaw.

Q. What are avulsed teeth?

A. Avulsed teeth are teeth that are knocked out.

Q. What should you do if your tooth is knocked out?

A. If your tooth is knocked out you should carefully rinse the tooth with water. You should attempt to place the tooth back in its socket and secure it with a wet wrap. If you can not place the tooth back in its socket, put it in a glass with either saliva or milk. Then you should contact your dentist immediately.

Q. What are extruded teeth?

A. Extruded teeth are teeth that are forced out of position.

Q. What should you do if your tooth is pushed out of position?

A. If your tooth is pushed out of place you should reposition it to its normal alignment using very light finger pressure. You should hold the tooth in place with a moist gauze or tissue. Make sure that a dentist sees you within a half an hour.

Q. What do you do when you have a toothache?

A. When you have a toothache, you should clean your mouth by rinsing with warm water and remove any food that is trapped between teeth by flossing. Do not apply aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. See your dentist as soon as possible.

Q. What do you do if you have something caught between your teeth

A. If you have an object caught between your teeth you should try to remove it with dental floss gently. Sometimes it helps to double up the floss. Do not attempt to remove the object with a sharp or pointed device. If you can not still can not remove the object, see your dentist.

Q. How would you treat a bitten tongue or lip?

A. To treat a bitten tongue or lip you should gently clean the area with a cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding continues, go to the hospital emergency room.

Q. Why do we brush our teeth?

A. We brush our teeth to remove bacteria and left over food particles from the mouth.

Q. How long should you brush your teeth?

A. You should brush your teeth twice a day for at least two to three minutes (until they are clean!).

Q. What can you do to slow down acid production when you ca't brush your teeth?

A. If you ca't brush your teeth you can rinse your mouth with water after a meal or snack to reduce acid reproduction by 30%. Wiping your teeth with a napkin is also a temporary measure until you can brush your teeth. Chewing sugar free gum helps, too.

Q. What is tooth bleaching?

A. Tooth bleaching or whitening is the process of lightening stains or discoloration of your teeth.

Q. What is involved in tooth bleaching?

A. Your dentist will determine which bleaching method is right for you. They will either use an in-office bleaching system or laser bleaching during your dental visit. But, most patients choose dentist-at-home-supervised bleaching. This method involves a custom-made mouth guard for the patient along with bleaching materials. You will be given instructions on how to wear the mouth guard and this type of method generally required ten to fourteen days to complete.

Q. How does tooth bleaching work?

A. Tooth bleaching whitens the teeth when the active whitening agent, carbamide peroxide, contacts water and hydrogen peroxide is released.

Q. Is tooth bleaching safe?

A. Studies have proven bleaching to be safe and effective. Bleaching does not soften, demineralize, or weaken the teeth.

Q. What are digitized X-rays?

A. A digitized X-ray is a computerized technology that allows a small sensor placed inside the patient's mouth to take the X-ray and instantly display it on a computer screen for the dentist to review.

Your Dental Visit

When you first visit a new dentist, part of your initial exam is an assessment of your "bite" - the way teeth meet as the jaws close. Later, after a filling or placement of a dental crown, your bite will be tested again to be sure the tooth restoration fits well with other teeth. Nearly all dental patients have "been there." And there's good reason for this attention to bite.

Chewing, tooth wear and joint function all depend on the balanced opposition of teeth in each jaw. Any disruption of a good bite, either by broken, loose, or lost teeth, is trouble in need of repair. In the worst-case scenario - the jaws themselves present skeletal problems - orthodontic treatment is considered. However, most malocclusions (bad bites) are treatable right in your dentist's office.

Your dentist will first locate ill-fitting teeth by routine bite analysis. You will bite down on a sheet of special paper that marks teeth with uneven wear. If this doesn't tell your dentist enough, he or she may take impressions, from which study models are built. This gives your dentist a very visual demonstration of what's wrong.

High points in enamel that interfere with normal contact may be filed away. Eroded fillings call for replacements. Lost teeth need a bridge or dental implants to prevent opposing teeth from overgrowth. There are any number of solutions to a bad bite, all important to your dental health.

Anytime you notice a change in your chewing habits, or feel more pressure than usual on a solitary tooth, bring it to your dentist's attention. You'll notice the abnormality, maybe before your dentist detects it. Since you'll be working together, tell your dentist your suspicions and, if it's broken, it can be fixed.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.