An athletic injury or household accident can sometimes impact the mouth with significant force. In some of these scenarios, you could suffer trauma to the gums, soft oral tissues, or teeth that requires professional treatment from a dentist like Dr. Milla Openko.
While you make your way to Milla Openko, DMD for an emergency appointment, there are a few minor first-aid measures that can help manage pain and minimize complications.
It might be helpful to clear your mouth of excess blood and any other introduced material to make a better visual inspection. This can often be done by gently rinsing your mouth with lukewarm salt water. This can also help soothe injured soft tissues in the mouth.
If you have swelling concerns with the soft oral tissues, you might be able to address it by lightly pressing a cold compress to the area for up to 20 minutes at a time.
Sometimes gently rubbing a topical oral anesthetic on the affected soft tissues or taking a standard dosage of an over the counter anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce the pain.
If the problem is significant, you should consider calling 412.885.5590 to have it examined and treated by the oral care specialists at Milla Openko, DMD’s clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.