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 speed with which you act in the event of a dental emergency can affect the outcome? We'll look at some common dental emergencies and what you can do to improve your chances of a positive outcome.

1. Identify your dental emergency

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

Do you have moderate to severe swelling on your face, mouth, or neck that is causing you difficulty breathing or swallowing? Your face will often appear inflamed, and you may notice red or purple bruising forming.

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.

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 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.

Keep the tooth in the socket it fell out of if possible. If this is not possible, try to keep it moist by putting it in a container of your saliva or a glass of milk. The tooth may be able to be reattached by your dentist.

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 lessen discomfort and swelling, you might think about applying an ice pack to your face and gargling with warm water.

3. Stay Calm

A dental emergency can be extremely painful, but it will pass. As you call your dentist and ask for advice, take a few deep breaths and try to remain composed.

4. Contact our Calgary dental office immediately.

Any dental emergency should be reported to our office right away. To see a dentist as soon as possible at our dental office, we can schedule an appointment for you. For the best course of action in treatment, our dentists can examine the area that is swollen or otherwise affected to ascertain the cause.

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

Your dentist will go over your treatment options, which could include a crown, tooth extraction, dental implants, or other options. If necessary, the dentist can also refer you to or recommend a specialist. We take a preventive approach to treatment at Arbour Lake Dental 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 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 Calgary dentists right away, so our team can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.