5 Things to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

I have a dental emergency. What should I do?

Dental emergencies can take many different forms and occur at any time of day or night. You could have a toothache, an abscess, gum damage, or another 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 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 swelling on your face, mouth or neck areas that are causing you to have difficulty breathing or swallowing? Your face will often appear inflamed and you may see red or purple bruising starting to form.

Chipped, Broken or Knocked Out Teeth

Jagged edges are common in teeth that have been chipped, broken, or knocked out. Parts of the tooth may still be in your mouth, or the entire tooth and 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).

Rinse the tooth under running water. Use no soap or chemicals, and avoid wrapping it in tissue or a towel, as this can cause damage. Also, avoid rubbing or agitating the tooth.

Hold the tooth in the socket it fell out of if possible. If this is not possible, try to keep it moist by placing it in a container of your saliva or a glass of milk. The tooth may 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

To relieve pain and swelling, apply an ice pack to your face and rinse 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 Scarborough 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 Markham Steeles Dental Centre, 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 experiencing a dental emergency? Contact our Scarborough dentists right away, so our team can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.