Temporarily Stabilize A Loose Crown And Minimize Dental Pain
If the dental crown that is covering one of your molars has loosened while you were chewing on a piece of food and you are experiencing pain as a result, the following steps will assist with minimizing discomfort and stabilizing the crown until you are able to have the crown replaced by a dentist.
Materials
- table salt
- warm water
- spoon
- surgical gloves
- magnifying mirror
- loose cap repair kit
- warm compress
Rinse Your Mouth To Alleviate Pain
Pour a small amount of table salt into a glass of warm water and stir the contents until the salt has dissolved all of the way. Rinse your mouth for a minute or two with a small amount of saltwater, in the same manner that you would with a standard mouthwash product. As the saltwater comes into contact with the tooth that has the loose crown over it, pain may not be as prominent. After you spit out the saltwater, add more to your mouth if needed, until the affected area feels numb and is no longer throbbing.
Prepare And Adhere Dental Putty
Wash your hands and put on a pair of surgical gloves. Prepare a small amount of dental putty according to the instructions that are enclosed in the loose cap repair kit. Look into a magnifying mirror while you line the putty up over the edges of the cap. Use the applicator tool to press the putty against the edges of the cap until the putty adheres. Smooth the putty out with the applicator tool until it is the same thickness all the way around the base of the cap.
Wait For The Putty To Harden
Wait the amount of time listed on the dental kit's instructions for the putty to harden. Do not clench your teeth, eat food, or drink beverages during this time because doing so could cause the putty to shift. When you would like to eat after the putty has hardened, stick to food items that are soft and use the teeth on the other side of your mouth to chew so that you do not place pressure on the tooth that is capped.
If you experience discomfort again, rinse your mouth with more saltwater or apply a hot compress against the portion of your face where the tooth is located. Make an appointment at a clinic like Family 1st Dental with a dentist who provides emergency cosmetic dental procedures at your earliest convenience in order to have the damaged crown replaced.