Dental problem? You don't have to be MacGyver to save a lost filling or replace a crown.
Gauging Gum Pain continued...
Howley agrees. "If there is swelling and bleeding around the gums, see a
dentist as soon as possible because it may indicate something more
serious," he says. "You may need antibiotics, or if there is an
abscess, you may need to have it drained." This was exactly the case with
my recent dental emergency.
The good news is that if you really need a dentist (as I did), "there
are areas or facilities that you can visit over a weekend without necessarily
waiting for your dentist," Sherer says. "Regional hospitals have dental
residency programs and residents on calls and dental schools in the area have
A root canal refers to damaged tissues in the tooth. If you suspect this is
the issue, "keep cold and sweets away from the painful area," Howley
says. "If you do this, the pain will typically go away, but if you also
have sensitivity to heat, it's an indication of more serious problem." For
example, "if you drink coffee and the tooth hurts even after stimulus is
gone, this tends to indicate a problem with a nerve or that the tooth is dying
or traumatized and you need to do something about it," he says. "It may
be a simple as an antibiotic and Motrin, and sometimes it's as simple as
keeping hot, sweet, and cold away until you can have it looked at by a
If you can't quite put your finger on the pain (literally or figuratively),
go through a mental checklist to identify the culprit. "Is it a missing
filling? A broken tooth? If so, you could try aspirin or ibuprofen. Is it gum
related? If so, topical ointments may work," Howley says.
Make Your Own Dental Bag
While it's hard to plan for dental mishaps, it's a good idea to pack a small
just-in-case bag replete with some tooth repair basics. It should contain:
- Salt packets
- Q-tips (in case you want to swab the area)
- Ibuprofen or another anti-inflammatory painkiller
- A small container (if you lose a crown or piece)
- A phone number of a dentist
- A pack of sugar-free gum