How to Deal With a Dental Emergency at Home

Your dentist can treat dental emergencies.

Whether you’ve got a severe toothache or have suffered an injury playing sports or during other physical activity, a dental emergency at home can feel scary and cause much discomfort. You’ll want to call our Winnipeg dentists so they can arrange to see you as soon as possible.

Your dentist will be able to assess your situation and decide on a treatment plan.

If you’re unable to get to the dentist right away (within the hour), there are a few things you can do at home in the meantime. Here is some advice about what to do about common dental emergencies.

How To Manage Common Dental Emergencies

The following are some common dental emergencies we often see at Odyssey Dental Care, and how you can address them at home to reduce discomfort until you can get to our office.

Damaged Tooth

Is your tooth chipped or broken? Your dentist may be able to attach the missing piece. If possible, try to locate it and bring it to your dental appointment. If you are unable to locate it, your dentist will likely be able to replace it with a restoration such as a crown or filling.

Severe Toothache

Severe pain in your teeth can cause severe discomfort; you may feel a throbbing or sharp pain. This could be caused by an infection in the root of your tooth, among other things.

Until you see the dentist, you can try some home remedies for an aching tooth, such as applying an ice pack to the affected area. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever may also help to reduce pain. If the tooth is severely infected, your dentist may need to perform a root canal.

Knocked Out Tooth

If one of your teeth has been knocked out, try to locate it and rinse it off with water (not soap or harsh chemicals as this can damage the tooth).

Place it back into the tooth socket by biting down gently but firmly (and carefully) to keep it in place. If you are unable to replace the tooth in its socket, keep it moist by holding it in your mouth next to your cheek or placing it in a glass of milk or your saliva until you see your dentist.

If you are unable to locate the tooth, your dentist can offer options for tooth replacement such as a dental implant or crown.

Damaged Crown or Filling

Similar to teeth, fillings or crowns can become lost or damaged. If possible, try to locate the missing tooth and rinse it off before placing it back on your tooth. If you are unable to place it, bring it to your emergency appointment.

If you cannot locate your crown or filling, your dentist will likely be able to provide a replacement.