First Aid for Dental Emergencies: What to Do Before You See a Dentist

When a dental emergency strikes, equipping yourself with some basic first aid strategies can help minimise your discomfort and pain. Whether it’s a sudden toothache, sports related oral injury or nerve pain from a lost filling, the goal should be to prevent further complications before seeing the dentist. Let’s look at some ways you can manage a dental emergency safely and why this can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.  

1. Lost Filling & Nerve Sensitivity

Are you noticing extra sensitivity when you eat or drink? Is your tooth filling eroding, coming loose or partially broken?  If so, one of the main symptoms you could be experiencing is a sharp, shooting pain in your tooth, making it very difficult to focus on much else. When the tooth is exposed, it’s easy for food to get stuck in the cavity, which may become swollen, tender and inflamed. This can happen when bacteria is present; spreading in the mouth and surrounding the exposed part of the tooth. Your dentist then will administer antibiotics and drain the abscess safely

Additionally, if you’ve had fillings for more than a decade, there’s a good chance there’s some wear and tear, thinning or cracking. Amalgam (silver) fillings usually last up to 10- 15 years and composite (white) fillings up to 5-10 years. If this is the case, it might be time to get another filling. 

 First Aid Steps to Perform at Home Before Seeing the Dentist

• Your first priority is to reduce discomfort fast
• Rinse your mouth with warm, salty water. Salt is a natural anti-bacterial and helps lower the risk of infection. It also soothes irritated gums, dislodges trapped food and temporarily soothes oral pain
• Do this at least 3-4 times before visiting the dentist
• Dosage: Mix ½ teaspoon in 250 ml of water
• You can also buy dental wax from a local chemist and apply this to the exposed tooth to protect it from food and air
• Pain medication such as Panadol & Ibuprofen can assist with mild pain relief
• Avoid chewing food on or near the affected tooth
• Seek emergency dental care as soon as possible.

Click here for more information on dental fillings: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/dental-treatment

2. Cuts, Bleeding & Injury to The Mouth

Oral injuries can occur anywhere and anytime. Whether from a sporting injury, accidental fall, getting hit in the mouth, slicing your gum during flossing or even as simple as brushing too hard with your toothbrush, these things can all cause significant bleeding in the mouth. 

Mouth cuts and injuries can also affect the tongue, cheeks, gums and roof of your mouth – if this happens, it’s important to seek emergency dental care as soon as possible. In some cases, if you have a loose tooth or fractured jaw, this could indicate more serious damage. 

First Aid Steps to Perform at Home Before Seeing the Dentist

• The first thing to do is rinse your mouth out with normal water or a mild mix of saltwater solution 
• Immediately apply gauze or cotton wool to control excess bleeding
• If swelling and inflammation is present, apply a cold compress on the outside of the mouth and cheek area to reduce discomfort
• If chronic bleeding persists for longer than 20-30 minutes, seek emergency medical and dental care immediately. 

3. Dental Abscess & Gum Infection

Not brushing or flossing teeth regularly can contribute to plaque and bacterial build up, increasing the probability of decay and infection.  

A high intake of sugary foods and drinks, smokers and diabetics, may also be more pre-disposed to dental abscess and gum infections – so it’s important to keep an eye on this, particularly at the first onset of pain. 

What does an abscess look like? The infection forms a small pocket of pus, causing chronic pain, sensitivity, inflammation, swelling and redness. If gum disease is present, bleeding can damage the surrounding tissues supporting the teeth – causing a myriad of other issues such as periodontitis. The goal is to reduce pain and slow the spread of bacteria.

First Aid Steps to Perform at Home Before Seeing the Dentist

• Rinse the mouth with warm, salty water 3-4 times a day to reduce bacteria
• Take over the counter medicine such as Panadol or Ibuprofen pain relief 
• If trapped food is present in the mouth, remove this gently with mild brushing and flossing
• Apply a cold compress on the face/cheeks to reduce swelling
• Avoid touching the abscess or removing the pus, as this can make it worse
• Avoid very hot and cold food and drinks
• If you’re having trouble breathing, swallowing and high fever, seek hospital emergency help right away

4. Managing a Partially Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth can be devastating when it happens. This can occur when biting into a hard, sugary lolly, an accidental fall or trauma during physical sport. 

Additionally, if you have decay build up that has been left untreated for a long period of time, this can also weaken the tooth structure, making it more susceptible to breaking. 

First Aid Steps to Perform at Home Before Seeing the Dentist

• Firstly, if there is bleeding, make sure you apply pressure with a sterile piece of gauze to help absorb excess blood. Do this until it stops
• If you can locate your broken tooth (if there’s a small piece missing), quickly place this into a glass of milk to help preserve it. Depending on your situation, your dentist may be able to reattach the broken fragment
• Applying a cold compress to the cheek/face area near the injured tooth will help to reduce further swelling and inflammation
• If the broken tooth has a sharp edge, you will have to be extra careful not to cut your tongue or inner cheek. As a temporary fix, apply some gauze or sugar free gum to prevent further damage
• Book an appointment with your emergency dentist promptly

Click here for some key facts on dental injuries: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-injury

Understanding First Aid Principles Is Key Before Seeking Emergency Dental Care

Whether in the home or workplace, first aid is an essential survival skill to know. When urgent symptoms strike, reducing pain and complications should be your number one priority. While emergencies can’t always be avoided, knowing what to do when the unexpected happens is the first step towards saving your teeth, preventing infection and managing the situation effectively.

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