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‍🦷 FIRST AID FOR DENTAL EMERGENCIES

‍🦷 FIRST AID FOR DENTAL EMERGENCIES

May 20, 2025

What to do before you get to the dentist!

A resource from Aloha Pediatric Dentistry

😖 Toothache

  • Gently clean around the sore tooth
  • Rinse with warm salt water
  • Use dental floss to remove trapped food
  • Don’t put aspirin on gums or teeth
  • Apply a cold compress for swelling
  • You can give acetaminophen for pain
  • 👩‍⚕️ See a dentist as soon as possible!

🛠 Broken Braces or Wires

  • Remove if it comes out easily
  • Cover sharp edges with:
    • Dental wax
    • Cotton balls
    • Gauze or chewing gum
  • Don’t try to remove wires stuck in gums or cheeks
  • 🚨 Go to the dentist right away if it’s causing pain

🦷 Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

  • ✅ Find the tooth and hold it by the crown (top)
  • 🧼 Rinse gently – don’t scrub or touch the root
  • 🦷 Try to place it back in the socket (bite on gauze to hold it)
  • 🥛 If you can’t reinsert, place the tooth in milk
  • ⏱️ Time matters – see a dentist immediately!

🩹 Cut or Bitten Lip, Cheek, or Tongue

  • 🧊 Apply ice to bruised areas
  • 🩸 Use gauze and press gently if it’s bleeding
  • ⏱ If bleeding doesn’t stop in 15 minutes, go to the ER

😬 Broken Tooth

  • 🧼 Rinse the mouth gently with warm water
  • 🧊 Use a cold compress on the face near the injury
  • 🧩 Save any broken tooth pieces
  • 👨‍⚕️ See a dentist right away

🚑 Other Emergencies

🤕 Possible Broken Jaw

  • Keep the jaw still using a towel or scarf
  • 🚨 Go to the emergency room immediately

🦷 Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out

  • Fold clean gauze and press it onto the spot
  • 🕒 Have the child bite down for 15 minutes
  • 🦷 Repeat once if needed – see a dentist if it won’t stop

😣 Cold or Canker Sores

  • Over-the-counter remedies help
  • 📞 Call your dentist if they don’t go away – sometimes it can signal a bigger issue

🌐 Visit us: www.alohakidsdds.com 

🦷 Proudly following American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines

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