Dental Emergenciesin the Wild

Presented by: Dr. Natali Schindler, DDSbite Family DentistryBanff, AB

Common Dental Emergencies

• Toothache from a cavity or lost/broken filling (especially important when travelling in high altitudes or scuba diving)

• Dental or periodontal abscess• Pericoronitis (wisdom tooth)• Loose crown/bridge• Avulsed or dislodged (tooth

(knocked out)• Fractured tooth• Fractured jaw

Preventionand

Preparation• Mouth guard• Helmet with a jaw guard• Having regular dental

exams or an exam prior to going on an expedition

• Packing a dental emergency kit and preventive supplies

The Dental Emergency KitIncluding: Dental examining gloves, dental mirror, dental tweezers or cotton pliers, dental spatula, dental wax, dental floss, temporary filling material-zinc oxide powder and eugenol or Cavit, temporary crown & bridge cement, topical analgesics (Orajel), cotton tip applicators, cotton rolls, sterile cotton gauze pads, oral analgesics/anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, toothbrush with toothpaste, sugarless gum

The Dental Emergency Kit

Emergency Medications

Analgesics/Anti-inflammatories

Ibuprofen 200-400mg, 6-8 hours, prnpain, do not exceed 1.2g/day.

Acetaminophen 325-650mg, 4-6 hours or 1000mg 3-4 times a day, do not exceed 4g/day

Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen taken together are more effective than when taken individually.

Antibiotics

Rx:

Penicillin V (600mg or 300mg), qid for 7 days.

If allergic to Penicillin:

Clindamycin (300mg or 150 mg), qidfor 7 days

Toothache from decay, broken or leaking fillings

A toothache is a common dental emergency that is often caused by a cavity in the tooth. Bacteria inside the mouth use food particles left on the teeth to produce an acid, which destroys the enamel and dentin resulting in a hole in the tooth. The pulp tissue often becomes inflamed eliciting a pain response.

Broken fillings can occur from an active process of decay under an existing restoration or trauma. Broken fillings are often sharp to the tongue and cheeks and may or may not be sensitive, depending on whether the dentin is exposed. Exposed dentin may cause the tooth to be sensitive to pressure, air or temperature of foods.

Signs and Symptoms - Pain from the tooth which is intermittent and often hot or cold sensitive. Hot or cold sensitivity often lasts for a few seconds and goes away. Sharp tooth surfaces can cause pain to the soft tissues such as the tongue and cheek.

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t• Locate the offending tooth and moisten a piece of cotton or cotton pellet with eugenol. Apply the cotton to the tooth or soft tissue to ease pain.

• Fill the cavity with temporary filling material such as Cavit, zinc oxide and eugenol cement, or dental wax.

Cavit requires no premixing and is applied directly over the tooth. Intermediate restorative material is prepared by adding a few drops of eugenol to powdered zinc oxide to make as dry a mix as possible. (Zinc oxide and eugenol combination cements are advantageous in that they have an anesthetic effect and can be mixed to different consistencies, depending upon whether they are to be used as filling material or adhesives. However, the liquid can leak from its container, and the cement is sticky and more difficult to work with than Cavit).

• Smooth the temporary filling material with your finger or a wet cotton roll. Bite down on the material when it is soft to ensure a comfortable occlusion once set.

• Use pain medication as needed.

• Temporary fillings set after exposure to saliva and usually have to be replaced every few days.

Follow-Up

See a dentist after your trip and have the tooth filled with a permanent filling.

Dental Abscesses

A dental abscess can cause unbearable pain, swelling and discomfort. Dental abscesses are a complication of tooth decay or gum disease. It may also result from trauma to the tooth, such as when a tooth is broken or chipped. Infections may spread out from the root of the tooth and to the bones and soft tissue surrounding the tooth.

If not treated, the infection can spread from the tooth to the floor of the mouth, the face and neck resulting in severe illness.

Dental Abscess cont’d

Signs and Symptoms

Toothache -Severe and continuous pain, sharp and shooting pain, throbbing pain, pain when biting and chewing. The pain may keep the person up at night

Redness and swelling around the gums and at the root of the tooth

Presence of a gum boil near the root of the tooth that may or may not drain

General malaise and discomfort

Bad breathe and foul taste in the mouth

Lymphadenopathy

Trismus

Swollen face and neck indicating a very serious condition

Fever may be present

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t Administer oral antibiotics. (PenV or

Clindamycin)

Rinse with warm salt water (1teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water) a fewtimes a day.

If there is a soft, pointing abscessadjacent to the offending tooth, applyorajel and then puncture the boil with a sharp sterile scalpel if available. This will help relieve the pressure and thepain.

Reduce pain and fever with oral analgesics (Ibuprofen, Acetominophen).

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Loss of tooth

Spread of infection to soft tissue (facial cellulitis, Ludwig's angina).

Spread of infection to the jaw bone (osteomyelitis of the mandible or maxilla).

Spread of infection to other areas of the body resulting in cerebral abscess, endocarditis, pneumonia, or other disorders.

If the swelling is localized to the soft tissues of the cheek or the submandibular area, begin oral antibiotics and monitor. If the infection spreads to the infra-orbital space or is starting to affect the airway, the patient has a persistent fever or are lethargic management in the hospital setting will be necessary – GO TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL.

Follow Up

Visit a dentist for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

PericoronitisPericoronitisPericoronitis is an infection of the gum tissue that overlaps a partially erupted tooth. It is most common around lower erupting or impacted wisdom teeth. Bacteria and food debris get trapped under the tissue and cause swelling, pain and infection.

Pericoronitis cont’d

Signs and Symptoms

Bad taste or bad breathe.

Pain - may be mild but is usually quite intense and my radiate to the external neck, the throat, the ear, or the oral floor.

Trismus

Cervical lymphadenopathy, fever, and malaise

Swelling localized around the impacted or erupting tooth.

Treatment

Oral antibiotics

Irrigate with salt water

Oral anti-inflammatories and analgesics

Soft diet

If the infection spreads and affects the airway, there is continued malaise and fever or the symptoms worsen – GO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL

Follow up: Visit a dentist - the tooth may need extraction

Loose Crowns or BridgesLoose crowns or bridges can pose a problem while in the back country. A loose crown is dangerous as it can be aspirated or even swallowed if not careful. A loose crown should be re-cemented to prevent sensitivity and further bacterial contamination. The tooth may feel sensitive to temperatures or the bite might feel different and the crown is loose or comes off.

Loose Crowns or Bridges

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t Remove the crown/bridge from the mouth.

Wash away any debris and food particles around the tooth by rinsing with water or with a cotton tip applicator or toothbrush.

Remove the remainder of cement in the crown.

Check to see that the crown goes back on and the bite is comfortable (if the bite is off – this can lead to pain in the tooth and jaw pain)

Mix zinc oxide and eugenol into a temporary cement consistency (runny) and place into the crown. Alternatively, prepared dental cements, such as Temp Bond can be used.

Place the crown back on the tooth in the correct position and bite down until the cement is set.

Clean off any excess cement with a toothpick, toothbrush and floss between the teeth.

Follow-Up

Visit your dentist as soon as your trip is over for definitive treatment. The tooth may require a new crown or may simply need to be re-cemented with permanent cement and adjusted into occlusion.

Dislodged or Avulsed ToothWhen a tooth is dislodged or knocked out, timing is everything. The tooth has a better chance of surviving the sooner it is placed back into the socket. When possible, gently rinse the root and socket with water and remove any debris (do not scrub the root) and place back in the socket immediately. Pack with temporary material to splint in place. Eat a soft diet. See a dentist as soon as you can.

Dislodged or Avulsed Tooth

Delayed Treatment

For delayed treatment of an avulsed tooth (5 minutes – 60 minutes), the tooth should be stored in a physiologic medium such as chilled milk, saliva, tissue culture medium). Usually ankylosis will be the outcome. Over 60 minutes of time out of the mouth will predictably result in ankylosis.

The decision to replant a tooth is reversible: it allows for more time to assess other available options and plan for eventual loss of the replanted tooth.

The tooth will require endodontic therapy and a more rigid splint for 7-14 days.

Seeing a dentist as soon as possible will provide the most favorable outcomes.

Implants or dental bridges are long term treatment options if tooth must be extracted or is not replanted.

Traumatic Dental InjuriesA fractured tooth, for the most part, can be saved depending on where the fracture occurs and if the nerve is exposed. Most dental fractures

occur in the front teeth, however some fractures occur on posterior teeth such as the molars.

Fractured Teeth

Signs and Symptoms

Broken tooth

Pain and sensitivity when breathing in air.

Hot and cold sensitivity when eating.

Bleeding around the gums at the injured site.

Tooth mobility may or may not be present.

Treatment

Place temporary restorative filling material into the fractured area of the tooth (if it will hold).

Avoid hard foods and maintain a soft diet.

Avoid very hot and very cold drinks.

Check other areas of the mouth for lacerations or broken teeth fragments.

Follow-up

See a dentist for a permanent restoration and possible endodontic therapy as needed.

Fractured Jaw

In the majority of patients, the signs and symptoms of a jawbone fracture begin to develop immediately after some trauma to the jaw.

Symptoms:• jaw pain• the teeth do not fit together• unable to open the jaw all the way,

have problems speaking or chewing food, or notice swelling or displacement of the jaw

• the chin or lower lip may be numb• bleeding or bruising at the site of

the fracture or under the tongue• Drooling and the inability to close

the mouth may occur

Treatment

A broken jaw is best evaluated at a hospital. Therefore, most doctors will advise the person to go to an emergency department, preferably at a large hospital that would be more likely to have specialists (oral surgeons) on call to help evaluate and treat the individual if needed. A potential but serious consequence of jaw fractures is a problem breathing due to loss of support to the tongue. Therefore, any signs of breathing problems or shock need to be addressed immediately by calling 911.

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t c

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t’d Get Medical Help Immediately, go to a hospital emergency room.

Prevent choking, allow any blood in the mouth to dribble out or have the patient spit into a handkerchief

Without touching the roots, gently remove any broken or lost teeth from the mouth and place them in cold milk, saliva, or sterile water. Take the broken teeth to the health care provider.

Immobilize the jaw but do not attempt to align the jaws. Make a bandage out of a handkerchief, scarf, or necktie, and tie it around the jaw and over the top of the head to keep the jaw from moving. The bandage should be easily removable in case the person starts to vomit.

Control swelling by applying cold compresses.

Follow Up

Medical treatment depends on the location and severity of the break. A surgeon may be able to set the bone without surgery although wires may need to be placed to stabilize the jaw. Surgery may be needed to repair the break. The surgeon will place plates or screws to hold the broken pieces of bone together while they heal.

Thank-you,I hope you have a safe journey

into the wild!Dr. Natali Schindler, DDS

bite Family DentistryBanff, AB

I hope you have a safe journey