5 Things to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

I have a dental emergency. What should I do?

Dental emergencies can take many forms and happen any time of the day or night. You may have a tooth knocked out, an abscess, injury to the gums or other painful condition.

Did you know that how quickly you respond to a dental emergency can affect how things turn out? We'll go over some typical dental emergencies and what you can do to improve your chances of a successful outcome.

1. Identify your dental emergency

Here are some common dental emergencies and quick explanations of what you can do:

Severe Swelling

Does your face, mouth, or neck have moderate to severe swelling that makes it difficult for you to breathe or swallow? You might notice red or purple bruising beginning to form, and your face will frequently look inflamed.

Chipped, Broken or Knocked Out Teeth

Chipped, broken or knocked out teeth often have jagged edges. There may be parts of the tooth still in your mouth or the entire tooth and the root may have fallen out.

Find the broken or chipped piece of the tooth and bring it with you to your appointment if you have a fractured or chipped tooth. Don't hold the tooth by anything other than the crown, which is the part of the tooth that you use to chew food and can be seen in your mouth.

Rinse the tooth in water. Do not use soap or chemicals, and do not wrap it in tissue or a towel, as this can damage it. Also ensure you don’t rub or agitate the tooth.

Hold the tooth in the socket it fell out of if possible. If this is not possible, try to keep it moist by placing it in a container of your saliva or a glass of milk. The tooth may be reattached by your dentist.

Lost Crown or Filling

Lost crowns or fillings may leave pieces in the mouth or you may have lost the entire restoration. Try to locate the crown or filling, and rinse it. Do your best to place it back on the tooth.

2. Use home remedies for pain or swelling

To reduce pain and swelling, apply an ice pack to your face and rinse your mouth with warm water.

3. Stay Calm

Even if a dental emergency is excruciatingly painful, it will pass. As you contact your dentist for advice, take deep breaths and try to remain calm.

4. Contact our Burnaby dental office immediately.

In case of a dental emergency, contact our office right away. We can schedule a visit for you to see a dentist at our dental office as soon as possible. To identify the cause and devise the best course of action for treatment, our dentists can examine the swollen or affected area.

5. Consider dental restorations, surgery or other treatment options.

Your dentist will go over your available options for treatment, which may include a crown, a tooth extraction, dental implants, or substitutes. If necessary, the dentist can also refer you to a specialist or make a recommendation for them. We use the least invasive treatment options available and adopt a preventive approach to treatment at Northgate Dental Centre.

Make a note of our website in your favourite search engine's bookmarks or type "dentist near me" to find our information. Any queries you may have will be gladly addressed, along with any pains or other symptoms, and treatment options will be explained in terms you can comprehend.