5 Things to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

If you're experiencing a dental emergency, what should you do? Our dentists in Edmonton offer some tips to reduce pain and potentially protect your oral health until you can see a dentist. 

I have a dental emergency. What should I do?

Dental emergencies can happen any time of the day or night and have different causes or symptoms. An abscess might suddenly become painful, an injury to the gums becomes serious, you may have a tooth knocked out or suffer another painful condition. 

Did you know the final outcome of a dental emergency can be influenced by how fast you act? We'll explore a few common dental emergencies and what you can do to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. 

1. Identify your dental emergency

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

Are you having difficulty breathing or swallowing due to moderate to severe swelling of your face, neck or mouth areas? Your face may appear inflamed and you might see red or purple brushing beginning to form. 

If you have a chipped, broken or knocked out tooth, it might have a jagged edge. Parts of the tooth may still be in your mouth or the entire tooth and the root may have fallen out. 

If you've chipped or fractured a tooth, try to find the missing piece and bring it with you to your appointment. Be careful - only hold the tooth by the crown (the part you can see in your mouth and which you use to chew food). 

After rinsing the tooth in water (do not use soap or chemicals, and do not wrap it in a towel or tissue since this can cause damage), hold the tooth in the socket it fell out of. Do not rub or agitate the tooth. 

If you're not able to place the tooth in its socket, try preserving it and keeping it moist by placing it in a glass of milk, or a container of your saliva. Your dentist might be able to reattach the tooth. 

Lost crowns or fillings can be similar to lost teeth; they may leave pieces in the mouth or the entire restoration may have been lost. Attempt 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 Edmonton dental office immediately.

Call our office immediately for any dental emergency. We can make an appointment for you to see a dentist as soon as possible at our dental clinic. Our dentists can examine 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.

Your dentist will explain your treatment options, which may include a crown, tooth extraction, dental implants, or alternatives. The dentist can also provide a referral or recommendation for a specialist if required. At Azarko Dental Group, 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.

Are you dealing with a dental emergency? Contact our Edmonton dentists as soon as possible, so our team can schedule an appointment for you.