Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Dental emergencies can happen at any time while away from home. Summer activities and sports such as inline skating, bicycling or playing ball can cause tooth injury or aggravate existing dental problems. What should you do if a dental emergency occurs while at the beach, on vacation or playing sports? Call your dentist to determine if immediate care is needed or if it can wait until you return home. Medication or referral can often be arranged when traveling.

Other tips to remember if a dental emergency occurs:

• Knocked-Out Tooth: Pick up the tooth by the crown and not the root. Rinse with water. Do not use soap, scrub or remove any tissue from the root. Reinsert the tooth into its socket carefully. If that’s not possible, keep the tooth moist by placing in a cup of milk, water with a pinch of salt or plain water. Never wrap the tooth in gauze or tissue. Get yourself and the tooth to a dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance to save the tooth.
• Broken Tooth: Rinse the area with warm water. Use cold compresses to keep swelling down. Go to a dentist immediately. The tooth should be examined within two to three hours after the break.
• Toothache: Remove irritants by rinsing with warm water or using dental floss to remove food lodged between teeth. Do not place aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. Aspirin can severely burn mouth tissues. Go to a dentist as soon as possible.
• Bitten Tongue or Lip: Stop bleeding with direct pressure. Use cold compresses to reduce swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a hospital emergency room.

For more information, call the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3832 or visit the American Dental Hygienist Association website at www.adha.org.or the American Dental Association website at www.ada.org.