Toothaches often spring up at the most inopportune times. Many times, a simple one can be relieved by rinsing the mouth really well to remove any debris or other foreign matter. Patients have come in for toothache pain only to find that a piece of debris was lodged between their teeth causing pressure. Some patients have come in with aspirin placed near the gums and tooth to help their pain but the dissolving aspirin actually can harm the gums tissue.
Broken, Fractured, Displaced Teeth
If your tooth becomes broken, fractured or displaced, it is not usually cause for alarm. As long as it is taken care of as soon as possible, it should be fine. If an accident has occurred and the tooth is completely knocked out of it’s place, attempt to put the tooth back in its socket while you wait to see the dentist. Before you do this, rinse the mouth of debris and/or blood. Then after placing the tooth in, put a cold compress on the cheek where the tooth is. This will keep swelling down. If you are unable to put the tooth back in its socket, bring the tooth in a container of warm milk. (You can also use your saliva or saline.) Make sure to hold the dislocated tooth only by the crown. Do NOT hold the tooth by the root. Bring the tooth, in the cup of milk, with you to the dentist or emergency room. If you fracture your tooth, rinse your mouth and tooth with warm water. Repeat this process and between rinsing, apply a cold pack or compress. If you would like, you can take an ibuprofen for pain and to help swelling down. If the fracture is minor, the tooth can be sanded and restored by the dentist as long as the damage to the pulp is not severe. If the injury has to do with a child’t primary (temporary) teeth and it has been loosened, try having the child gently bite down on an apple or even a piece of caramel and then the tooth may easily separate from the gum.