What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any problem that requires immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth. These situations can arise from accidents, fights, or a cavity that has reached the nerve. This also includes severe infections that can be life-threatening.
Do I Need Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry can save your natural teeth, prevent an infection from spreading, and more. For instance, if your tooth is knocked out in an accident, there’s a chance it can be reinserted, but only within a short timeframe. Saving your natural tooth can help you avoid expensive implants and painful procedures. Acting quickly can also lead to more natural and cost-effective treatments for other dental emergencies.
What To Do If You’re Experiencing A Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies can be scary, but panicking won’t help. If you have an emergency – please remain calm, perform the first aid steps from below, and see a dentist as soon as possible.
Toothache
Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area to help reduce pain. You can take a pain reliever like acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil), but avoid aspirin as it is an anticoagulant and may worsen bleeding if surgery is needed. Follow your doctor’s advice and the instructions on the medication package. Be sure to note the medication, dosage, and time taken.
Knocked-Out Teeth
If a whole natural tooth is knocked out and is reasonably clean, handle it by the crown, not the root, and try to reinsert it into the socket immediately. This helps preserve the reattachment cells. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing. If reinsertion is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of warm milk. A knocked-out tooth has a better chance of being saved if treated within an hour, so call us immediately.
Broken Tooth
If a part of your tooth breaks off, save any broken pieces and rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away smaller fragments. If there is bleeding, apply sterile gauze until it stops. Use a cold compress or ice pack to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Contact us immediately to restore the tooth and prevent further damage.
Abscess
If you have an abscess, rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of table salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day. This helps relieve pain and draw pus to the surface. An abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the teeth and gums, which can damage tissue and spread to other parts of your body if left untreated. Call us immediately to treat the abscess and prevent further damage.
Fallen-Out Filling
As a temporary solution, apply orthodontic wax to the hole left by the fallen-out filling. Orthodontic wax is soft and can be molded to cover and protect the hole until you can see a dentist. It is available at most drug stores. This is only a temporary measure, so see a dentist as soon as possible to permanently fix the filling.
Jaw Injury
If you have experienced trauma to your jaw, avoid eating solid food, apply an ice pack to your face, and call us to determine the next step. If you suspect your jaw may be broken, seek emergency dental care immediately.
Contact Us Today
To book an emergency visit.
Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Contact us and we will see you right away. We’ll address any pain and help you understand your options for repairing the injury. If you have a non-urgent oral health issue, you can schedule an initial consultation where we will conduct a comprehensive dental exam to evaluate your oral health.
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Dr. Ameen is the winner of the 3 Best Cosmetic Dentists in Mississauga.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the dental first aid tips above can be helpful, the best first step is always to give us a call! We can provide guidance over the phone to help alleviate your pain, save your tooth, and get you into our office as quickly as possible.
Always follow your doctor’s advice and read the directions on the medication bottle before taking any pain relievers. If it is safe for you, you may take a pain reliever like Tylenol, Advil, or Aspirin to alleviate the pain temporarily. However, this is not a permanent or perfect solution. Dental pain is often nerve-related, and substantial relief can only come from treatment provided by a doctor. If you do take medication, write down what you took, the dosage, and the time you took it, and let us know when you come in.
Yes, if you need emergency dental care and go to the Emergency Room (ER), they will treat you and bill your health insurance. However, the ER is not typically equipped to handle dental problems unless it is a health emergency. They may use temporary measures to relieve pain until you can see a dentist.
If left untreated, a broken tooth can collect bacteria, risking infection or abscess. A broken tooth also risks nerve damage and may lead to needing a root canal.
If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease significantly but you still need dental treatment. If the abscess doesn’t drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck. You might even develop sepsis, a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout your body.
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