What To Do In The Event of A Dental Emergency

Not sure about what to do in the event of a dental emergency? Read on our blog to get an idea about how to handle a dental emergency before you get the emergency treatment. 

• Toothache

A severe toothache is a sign that you need emergency dental care. A filling, crown, or other restorative dentistry treatment can temporarily relieve the pain so that you can get back to your normal life. Severe dental pain is a sign that there is an infection or the problem has worsened. You may be experiencing an infection or abscess, or you may need a root canal.

• Cracked or fractured tooth

A tooth can break or fracture due to trauma. This trauma could be caused by an injury, biting into something too hard, or grinding your teeth at night. If you break or crack a tooth, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible. An untreated broken or fractured tooth can lead to infection and tooth loss.

• Knocked-out tooth

A knocked-out tooth is an emergency situation, and you should call your dentist immediately. In the meantime, gently clean away any debris from the tooth. Do not scrub the tooth, as you could damage the roots. If possible, try to put the tooth back into its socket. Hold it in place with a clean towel or with the socket itself. If you don’t have these supplies handy, put the tooth in a container of slightly salted water or milk. Get to the dentist as soon as you can. A knocked-out tooth may be saved if you are able to quickly get to the dentist, so be sure to call your dentist right away.

• Lost crown

If you lose a dental crown, don’t panic. Give us a call immediately. We will schedule you for an emergency visit. We have served numerous patients from Surrey VW3, V4N, V4P -Langley V3A, V2Y 1A2, and New Westminster V3L, V3K 0M4, and the surrounding regions. In the meantime, avoid chewing or biting down hard on the crown. It’s important to avoid damaging the exposed tooth underneath. You may eat soft foods, but avoid chewing on the affected teeth.

• Tooth abscess

An abscess is a painful infection that develops when bacteria, plaque, and food debris accumulate beneath the tooth’s enamel and gum tissue. The infection can spread to the bone and cause an abscessed tooth.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your dentist right away:

• Severe tooth pain, especially when biting or chewing
• Dark red, swollen gums
• Tenderness or swelling around the affected area

By the time you reach your dentist, you can have a saltwater rinse that will help you ease the pain because of its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects.

• Broken jaw

If your jaw is broken from a fall or a sports injury, then you should go to your nearest urgent care clinic immediately. In the meantime, you can hold a cold compress against your jaw to relieve pain and prevent swelling. An x-ray can determine if you’ve fractured your jaw, and if so, your doctor can treat your injury.

• Broken braces

If you’ve broken your dental braces, don’t try to fix them yourself. Instead, bring the entire appliance to your dentist’s office. The brackets will need to be repaired or replaced.

A broken wire is another issue. If it’s a minor break, you can wait until your next appointment to have it repaired. However, if it’s poking you or causing discomfort, have the wire removed. The broken wire will irritate your mouth and make it difficult to eat and speak.

If you experience a dental emergency, call our emergency dental service at the earliest. We are experienced in handling dental emergencies of patients from Surrey VW3, V4N, V4P -Langley V3A, V2Y 1A2, and New Westminster V3L, V3K 0M4, and the surrounding regions.

At Kennedy Heights Dental Centre, we strive to provide our patients with a positive and relaxing experience. If you’re ready to experience the best dental care, please contact us at 778.438.2084. or visit us at 11960 88 Ave, Delta, BC V4C 3C8.