Dental Injuries
What are the treatments for the injury?
First aid for a dental injury includes the following steps:
Clean the area and determine the extent of the injury while calming the injured individual.
Try to find the tooth if it has been knocked out.
Rinse the tooth lightly with plain tap water and avoid touching or scraping the root surface. Touch the tooth on the biting edge only.
Try to place the tooth back into the socket.
If this is not possible, place the tooth in saliva from the patient's mouth or from your mouth. Milk or a warm salt-water solution can also be used.
If bleeding continues, place a cool rag over the injured area and use mild pressure to stop the bleeding.
Get the injured individual to an emergency department or healthcare provider as soon as possible.
If the tooth is to be replanted, time is very important. The healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics and pain medicines for the individual.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Pain medicines and antibiotics can cause bleeding, infection, or allergic reactions.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
The healthcare provider will make further recommendations for follow-up care. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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