1. A missing tooth should be carefully cleaned under running water. Avoid touching the root. If you can, place the tooth back in the socket until it can be fully reattached. However, if the tooth is a baby, do not attempt to reattach it. Nature will take its course.
2. If you or someone accidentally touches the root of a lost tooth, try to rinse it in water or milk as soon as possible to prevent contamination. Milk is preferred as it can also help preserve the tooth.
3. A tooth that is dislodged should be carefully reset if possible. If the tooth is firmly rooted in your mouth, let's leave it alone until you can see Dr. Zadeh. Attempting to fix or playing with it yourself could result in additional damage.
4. A broken dental appliance, such as a denture or removable bridge, should be removed for your safety. If the appliance is permanent or fixed, cover the sharp edges in dental wax until it can be repaired.
5. An abscessed tooth or a toothache requires no special care other than coming to our dental office as soon as possible. However, if it gets severe or you run a fever, call us immediately, as it may become systemic or have a severe infection.
6. Place a piece of dental wax or sugarless gum in an area left by a lost filling until the filling can be replaced.
7. Soft-tissue injuries, such as severe cuts to the tongue, cheek, or lip that do not stop bleeding after a few minutes, also require immediate care. Hold a clean cloth or gauze against the injury to staunch the bleeding until Dr. Zadeh can repair the damage.
8. If your emergency involves bleeding that does not stop or becomes profuse, you may need to visit the emergency room. Never try to treat medical emergencies on your own!