Handling Dental Emergencies during Holiday Season

Contributed by the Specialist Dental Group®

With the holiday season around the corner, a flurry of activities will start to pick up amongst adult and children. Not surprisingly, we have also seen more patients with injuries to their teeth or oral tissues during the festivities.

Some simple home remedies:

• Toothache
  Toothache is usually caused by tooth decay/cavity. Drugs such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen are especially effective in providing relief to toothache. However, be careful not to exceed the dosage for these drugs.
• Lost fillings or broken teeth
  Dislodged fillings/ broken teeth may cause sensitivity to temperature; the rough edge of a broken tooth may result in abrasion of the tongue and lips.
  
  Purchase some temporary dental filling material from pharmacies, pinch off a small amount and roll into a ball. Try to dry the cavity with a tissue rolled into a point and then push the cement into the cavity and smooth off with your finger.
• Trauma to soft tissues i.e. lips and tongue
  This can occur due to external trauma or accidental biting. Bleeding can be stopped with a damp gauze/handkerchief and pressure. Dry gauze will stick to the wound and it will bleed again when removed.

Do note that the remedies mentioned above are only temporary fixes providing symptomatic relief until professional help is available. To schedule an appointment to visit the dentist, visit www.specialistdentalgroup.com

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Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services. For details, send an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883