Redondo & Manhattan Beach: 310-375-0514 | Unfortunately, sometimes accidents happen. When it comes to your oral health, a little education and preparation can go a long way to saving your smile if an emergency situation does arise. Let’s address some common oral emergencies and what to do about them.
Objects Between Your Teeth: If you end up with something between your teeth, it is at best annoying, and at worst, very painful. It can be tempting to try to remove the debris with a toothpick or other pointed object. Don’t do that! It can damage your gum tissue and lacerate your tooth enamel. Instead, use dental floss or another approved interdental cleaner to gently remove the foreign object.
Biting Lips or Gums: While biting your lips, tongue, or gums is often a minor accident, it can sometimes be a very serious one. Even small cuts can lead to infection. If you are bleeding, wash out your mouth gently with lukewarm water and apply a sterile gauze pad to the wound. If you continue to bleed profusely after a few minutes, go to the nearest medical center for assistance.
Tooth Knocked Out: Though it is possible for teeth to be cracked and damaged beyond repair, it is sometimes possible for your oral surgeons to reattach teeth which have been knocked out. Keeping the tooth or pieces of tooth moisturized is vital for reattachment success. Place the tooth in a tooth-saving first-aid product, like Save-a-Tooth, or–in a pinch–milk. Call your dentist at 310-641-6124 and explain that you have a dental emergency, describing it the best you can. Our team will coach you through what to do on your way to the office.
For more information, call Oral Surgery Partners in Los Angeles, California, at 310-641-6124. Dr. Barry Johnsin, Dr. Trent Westernoff, and Dr. Martin Mardirosian are happy to help!