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 the response time you provide in the event of a dental emergency can have an impact on the result? We'll examine some typical dental emergencies and discuss what you can do to increase the likelihood 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

Do you have moderate to severe facial, oral, or neck swelling that interferes with breathing or swallowing? Your face may start to 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.

To bring the missing piece to your appointment if you have a broken or chipped tooth, search for it. The part of the tooth that can be seen in your mouth and is used for food chewing is the crown; take care to only hold the tooth by the crown.

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.

Whenever possible, keep the tooth in its natural socket. If you are unable to do this, try preserving it by placing it in a glass of milk or a container filled with your saliva to keep it moist. The tooth might be able to 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

You might consider holding an ice pack to your face to minimize pain and swelling, and rinsing your mouth with warm water.

3. Stay Calm

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 Caledon East dental office immediately.

If you have a dental emergency, please contact our office right away. We can schedule an appointment for you to see a dentist at our dental clinic as soon as possible. Our dentists can examine the swelling or affected area to determine the cause and plan the best treatment approach.

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

Your dentist will explain your treatment options, which may include a crown, tooth extraction, dental implants, or other options. If necessary, the dentist can also refer you to a specialist. At Log Home Dental, we take a preventive approach to treatment and always use the least invasive treatment options available.

Bookmark our website or type "dentist near me" into your favourite search engine, and our information will most likely appear. We will gladly answer any questions, address any pain or other symptoms, and explain treatment options in language you can understand.

Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Contact our Caledon East dentists right away, so our team can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.