Where There Is No Dentist 2012 173
Painful Socket
The socket area often hurts for a day or so after the tooth has been
removed. Aspirin or acetominophen (page 94) is usually enough to relieve
the pain.
A strong, steady pain that lasts for several days is a sign that the person is
having a problem called dry socket. The treatment for this special kind of
problem is given on page 117.
Dislocated Jaw
When you press against a person’s jaw while taking out a tooth you can
sometimes dislocate it. The jaw has been pushed out of position and it is not
able to go back again.
We describe the care for a dislocated jaw on page 113.
Most important: Be sure to tell each person you treat, “If your
problem gets worse, you can come back to see me immediately!”
CLEAN YOUR INSTRUMENTS AFTER YOU FINISH
If your instruments are dirty, they can pass on germs that cause tetanus
(page 118) or hepatitis (see page 172 in Where There Is No Doctor).
Germs on dirty instruments can also go into the socket and start an
infection.
Dental instruments must be not only clean, but also sterile. This means they
need to be both scrubbed and then boiled before they can be used again.
See pages 86 to 89.
Use a brush and clean each
instrument with soap and water.
Be careful to scrub away all bits of
old dried blood.
Then kill the germs by
placing the instruments into
a covered pot of boiling
water for 30 minutes.