Know how to handle, prevent dental emergencies Published July 22, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Kristin Hays 66th Medical Group HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Dental emergencies take place every day and individuals should know what to do if a tooth is broken or knocked out while playing sports. Below are dental emergency tips from the American Dental Association and the 66th Dental Flight. Toothache Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out and gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to remove any food or other debris that may be caught between the teeth. Aspirin or other painkillers should not be used on the gum by the tooth; this can burn gum tissue. A dental appointment should be made as soon as possible. A toothache can be an indication of a serious problem. Painkillers should not be used to alleviate the problem. Taking medications to control pain instead of seeking treatment poses its own risks. Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth The tooth should be located immediately. This may be difficult but is extremely important. If the tooth is dirty, it should be held by the crown and the root rinsed in water. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments or manipulate the root in any way. Go immediately to the dentist and keep the tooth moist while transporting it. The best liquid to use to keep the tooth moist is milk, followed by saline and then saliva. To keep the tooth moist with saliva, an individual can tuck the tooth inside their cheek but must be careful not to swallow the tooth; this method should not be used with young children. If these liquids are unavailable, the tooth can be kept moist with water. Patients should remember that time is critical for successful tooth re-implantation - the highest success rate occurs if the tooth is out of the mouth no more than 30 minutes. Broken tooth Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the outside of the cheek to help reduce the swelling. Tongue or lip bites or wounds Clean the area gently with a clean cloth and apply cold compresses to reduce any swelling. If the bleeding can't be controlled, go to a hospital emergency room or clinic. An individual may be able to reduce bleeding from the tongue by pulling it forward and using gauze to put pressure on the wound. Possible broken jaw Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately. Each year, thousands of individuals get hurt on the playing field and the basketball court and while skateboarding, biking or engaging in other sports and activities. Blows to the face in nearly every sport can injure teeth, lips, cheeks and the tongue. A properly fitted mouth guard is an important piece of athletic gear that can help prevent traumatic dental emergencies and preserve the teeth and smile. New findings in sports dentistry show that even in non-contact sports such as gymnastics, rollerblading and field hockey, mouth guards help protect teeth. Experts recommend that a mouth guard be worn for any recreational activity that poses a risk of injury to the mouth. The 66th Dental Flight encourages the Hanscom community not to take their teeth for granted and to protect their smiles with mouth guards. For all active-duty military members, the dental clinic is offering same day, custom mouth guard clinics on Aug. 6 and 13 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. For an appointment or more information call the clinic at (781) 377-3396 or email Kristin.Hays@hanscom.af.mil. Staff Sgt. Kristin Hays is a registered dental hygienist.