While you’re out boating, floating, or just generally having a good ole’ time in the summer, we’ve been putting together a two-part blog for the sake of your teeth.
In case you missed it, Part I talks about what to do if you knock out or chip a tooth.
While those are pretty extreme cases, this blog will focus on what to do in milder types of dental issues. Read below!
Swollen/bleeding gums
There are many reasons why your gums might swell up or bleed. A sports injury, a sharp food item, or even the slip of the toothbrush could be the culprits.
Thankfully, treating swollen or bleeding gums from mild injuries is fairly simple. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort and inflammation. You can also press a damp tea bag or cold washcloth onto the area that hurts.
However, if the bleeding or swelling remains over several days, it might be time to visit your dentist. Issues like low iron, gingivitis, and even pregnancy can be causes for gum discomfort – so don’t delay in calling us if it persists!
Lost filling or crown
If you bite into that juicy apple a little bit too hard, you may lose a filling or crown that is protecting a once-decayed tooth.
In this situation, it’s best to find an effective way to cover the now-exposed area of your tooth until you can get to a dentist’s office. One way is to use dental cement, available at your local drugstore.
Use the dental cement to try to fit the crown back into place with a temporary seal. If you can’t manage to fit it back, apply a bit of cement to the surface of your tooth to provide a seal over the exposed area until you can be seen by a dentist. Pretty easy, right?
Toothache
A toothache can also have many contributing factors: among them, cavities, broken teeth and (in the worst of cases) abscesses.
If a toothache comes on, call us to make an appointment as you can. In the meantime, take a pain reliever to reduce inflammation. You can also apply a cold compress and do a salt water rinse to bring temporary relief, and hopefully promote healing. Avoid hard foods as well! Read this article for Colgate’s take on home remedies for a toothache.
With 32 precious teeth to take care of, it’s important to be prepared for any dental situation. Though we hope you never have to use them, take these tips and put them in your back (denim shorts) pocket, and keep enjoying your summer!
Sources: colgate.com, mouthhealthy.org
