### Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them 1. **Toothache**: Rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to remove any food particles. Avoid placing aspirin on the aching tooth or gums. If the pain persists, see a dentist. 2. **Chipped or Broken Tooth**: Save any pieces of the tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling. Visit your dentist as soon as possible. 3. **Knocked-Out Tooth**: Keep the tooth moist at all times. If possible, try to place the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that's not possible, place it in milk or a tooth preservation product and see a dentist immediately. 4. **Lost Filling or Crown**: Use over-the-counter dental cement or a piece of sugarless gum to temporarily fill the cavity. See your dentist as soon as possible. 5. **Abscess**: This is a serious infection that occurs around the root of a tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. Rinse your mouth with mild salt water several times a day and see your dentist immediately. 6. **Soft Tissue Injuries**: For injuries to the tongue, cheeks, gums, or lips, rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution. Apply a moist piece of gauze or a tea bag to the bleeding site and hold it in place for 15-20 minutes. If the bleeding doesn't stop, see a dentist or go to the emergency room. Remember, any dental emergency should be taken seriously to avoid further complications.