Are you prepared for a dental emergency? Published Jan. 25, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Amy Snyder Vance Dental Clinic VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Thousands of dental emergencies, from injuries to a painful abscessed tooth, take place every day. Would you know what to do if you or your child broke a tooth or had a tooth knocked out while playing outdoors? What if you had a bad toothache in the middle of the night and couldn't get to the dentist until the next day? Knowing what to do can lessen the pain and save a tooth that might otherwise be lost. The following are guidelines on how to handle a variety of dental emergencies. Toothache Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to remove any food or other debris that may be caught between the teeth. Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth. This could burn gum tissue. If the toothache persists, try to see the dentist. Don't rely on painkillers for an extended time period. They may temporarily relieve pain but a dentist should evaluate the condition. Tooth knocked out Try to find the tooth. This may not be as easy as one might think if the injury took place on a playground, basketball court or while skateboarding. Remain calm. Hold the tooth by the crown and gently rinse the root in water if it is dirty. Don't scrub the root or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket on the way to the dentist. If that's not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk or a commercial product like Save-A-Tooth and bring it to the dentist. Time is critical for successful reimplantation, so get to your dentist immediately. Broken tooth Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the outside of the cheek to reduce 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. It may be possible to reduce bleeding from the tongue by pulling it forward and applying pressure with gauze. Objects caught between teeth Try to gently remove the object with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between teeth. If the object can't be dislodged with floss, contact a dentist. Possible broken jaw Apply cold compresses to control swelling. Get to the hospital emergency room immediately. Keep in mind that emergency rooms in Enid only treat pain and infection when it comes to dental issues. For more information, contact the Vance Dental Clinic, 213-7307.