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What To Do In The Case Of A Dental Emergency?
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 the speed with which you act during a dental emergency can influence the final outcome? We’ll explore a few common dental emergencies and what you can do to give yourself the best chance of a positive result.
1. Identify the type of dental emergency.
Here are some common dental emergencies and quick explanations of what you can do:
Severe Swelling
Are you experiencing moderate to severe swelling of your face, mouth or neck that is causing difficulty breathing? In the case of swelling, your face may look inflamed and you may start to notice red or purple bruising.
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.
If you’ve fractured or chipped a tooth, try to find the missing piece and bring it to your appointment. Be careful to only hold the tooth by the crown (the part that’s visible in your mouth, which you use to chew food).
Be sure to gently rinse the tooth with water. Never apply any soap or chemicals to the tooth and don't let it dry out by wrapping it in a paper towel as this can damage it. Also, ensure you don’t rub or agitate the tooth.
If you can, hold the tooth in the socket it fell out of. If this is not possible, attempt to preserve it and keep it moist by placing it in a container of your saliva, or a glass of milk. Your dentist may be able to reattach the tooth.
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. Apply at-home remedies for pain or swelling.
Start by applying an ice pack to the affected area to minimize pain and swelling and gently rinse your mouth with warm water.
3. Remain as calm as possible.
As painful as a dental emergency can be, it will pass. Breathe deeply and try to stay calm as you contact your dentist and ask for advice.
4. Contact our Winnipeg dental office immediately.
Call our dental office right away if you are experiencing a dental emergency of any kind. We can book you into our schedule as soon as possible. Our dentists can take a look and asses the swelling or affected area to determine the cause and plan the best approach to treatment.
5. Consider dental restorations, surgery or other treatment options.
Once your dentist has done a thorough evaluation of your situation, they will lay out some treatment options. These can include crowns, tooth extractions, dental implants, or other alternatives. The dentist can also provide a referral or recommendation for a specialist if required. At Odyssey Dental Care, we take a preventive approach to treatment and always use the most non-invasive treatment options at our disposal.
Bookmark our website or type "dentist near me" into your favourite search engine, and our information will likely come up. We will be happy to answer any questions, address pain or other symptoms and explain treatment options in language you can understand.