Page 19 - 2018 Summer Employee Handbook

FAST ACTION CAN SAVE DAMAGED TEETH
Knowing how to handle a knocked-out tooth or other dental emergency could mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth. These tips below will help you cope with a tooth problem quickly and calmly.
Broken tooth
Rinse with warm water. Place cold compress on the face, in the area of the injured tooth, to decrease swelling. Go to the dentist immediately.
Knocked-out tooth
Rinse the tooth lightly in running water - but DO NOT scrub it - and touch it as little as possible. Put the tooth back in the socket and hold it firmly in place. If that’s not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or when milk is not available, in a cup of cool water to keep the nerve clean and moist. Get to a dentist within 30 minutes to improve the chances of the tooth being saved.
Toothache
Rinse your mouth well with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that might be trapped between the teeth. Contrary to popular belief, do not place aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues. See your dentist.
Problems with braces and retainers
If a wire is causing irritation, cover the end with a small cotton ball, a piece of gauze or wax until you get to the dentist. If a wire gets stuck in the cheek, tongue or gum tissue, do not attempt to remove it. Go to your dentist immediately.
Bitten tongue or lip
Apply direct pressure on the bleeding area with a clean cloth and apply a cold compress to minimize swelling. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to a nearby hospital.
Possible fractured jaw
Do not move the jaw. Immobilize the jaw by any means, and go to a hospital emergency room as quickly as possible. If swelling is present, apply cold compress.
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