Learning About The World Of Dentistry

If your young teenager has been experiencing moderate pain due to a cap loosening from one of their molars, the affected tooth's nerve may be exposed and causing discomfort. You can temporarily reduce the amount of pain that your child is experiencing by assisting your teen with the following steps to secure the cap with a sealant. Afterward, make an appointment with a pediatric dentist to examine your child's tooth and install a new cap if necessary.

Materials

• aspirin or ibuprofen
• table salt
• warm water
• glass
• spoon
• long-handled magnifying mirror
• tweezers
• tube of dental sealant
• surgical gloves
• applicator tool 
• cotton swab

Ease Pain And Offer A Mouth Rinse

Give your child a couple aspirin or ibuprofen to assist with easing pain. Prepare a glass of salt water by adding a couple spoonfuls of table salt to a glass of warm water. Stir the contents in the glass until the salt dissolves. Ask your child to add a small amount of salt water to their mouth and swish it around in the same manner that they would with mouthwash. The salt water will alleviate pressure around the affected tooth, resulting in less discomfort. Rinsing with salt water will also help remove food particles that are near the loose crown.

Apply And Smooth Out the Dental Sealant 

Dental sealant is a product that can be purchased from a pharmacy or retailer store. It often comes in a kit that includes directions and an applicator tool. Before opening the tube of sealant, ask your child to sit down in a well-lit room and open their mouth wide. Use a long-handled mirror to assist with locating the crown that is loose. Put on a pair of surgical gloves and use a pair of tweezers to realign the crown so that it is flush with the bottom of the tooth that it is covering.

Use the applicator tool to smooth out the sealant so that it is an even consistency around the base of the crown. If too much sealant is applied to the crown, use a cotton swab to gently remove it. After the sealant has been applied, it may take a couple hours for it to dry. During this time, refrain from giving your child any beverages or food. After the sealant dries, your teenager can eat and drink, but should avoid placing pressure on the tooth that is covered with the crown. Seek assistance from a dentist at your earliest convenience to repair or replace the crown. For more information about emergency dental care, contact a practice such as Pedodontic Associates Inc.