Encouraging Toddler Dental Care

« Back to Home

Have A Dental Problem But Must Wait To See The Dentist? Use These Care Tips While You Wait

Posted on

When you experience a dental problem, you need to see your dentist. However, if something happens at night or on a weekend, you may not be able to see your dentist until Monday. You don't have to suffer until then; luckily, there are a few things you can do to make yourself more comfortable while you wait for your appointment. Here are some ways to deal with some common dental problems until you can see your dentist:

Toothaches

If a tooth starts to hurt, there are a number of things that may be causing the pain. The important thing is to soothe the pain as soon as you can. To do this, you can of course take over-the-counter pain medications, but there are other things to try as well. Clove oil and garlic have long been used to eliminate tooth and gum pain. A few droplets of clove oil on the painful tooth can help you feel better, as can a bit of garlic.

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can also help with pain. Dissolve about a half teaspoon into a cup of warm water, and rinse with the solution multiple times a day. Salt water can help bring down swelling, and also works to eliminate bacteria in your mouth that causes inflammation and pain.

Lost Cavity Fillings and Dislodged Crowns

If you notice you have a lost cavity filling or you discover that you have a dislodged crown, you know you'll need to see your dentist to get it replaced. Until you can do so, it is essential that you don't leave the space uncovered. Not only does that leave sensitive nerves exposed to the air, which can be very painful, it can be impossible to eat, as you don't want to get food particles stuck in there. You also need to avoid bacteria growth, which can cause an infection.

To avoid these problems, you need to simply keep the space covered until you go to the dentist. Dental cement from any drugstore can work, but if you cannot get to a drugstore right away, there are other things you can do. For a lost filling, a piece of sugarless gum packed into the cavity can help you remain comfortable. For a dislodged crown, attempt to replace the crown and keep it in place with a little toothpaste or petroleum jelly. Do not use glue.

Broken Braces

It can be uncomfortable to have wires poking you inside your mouth. However, it is important that you don't try to cut the wires, as the cut pieces may slip down your throat or affect other wires. Instead, use the eraser from a pencil to attempt to bend the wire into a more comfortable position. If that doesn't work, cover the end of the offending wire with cotton from a cotton swab. You can also purchase orthodontic wax from a drugstore to make sure that the end of the wire is not so sharp.

Use the tips above to take care of your teeth until your dentist appointment. If the symptoms worsen, get yourself to dentist that offers emergency dental care so that you can be taken care of right away.

To learn more, contact a company like Crest Hill Family Dental with any questions you have.


Share