5 Things to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies happen but knowing how to be prepared can help preserve your oral health. Here, our Abbotsford dentists provide some words of advice on the steps to take during 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 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 you may experience:

Moderate to severe swelling on your face, mouth, or neck area can be caused by an injury to the jaw or mouth. Your face will often appear inflamed and you may see red or purple bruising starting to form.

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. Try to be as gentle as possible with the tooth. 

If you can, hold the tooth in the socket it fell out of. If this is not possible, attempt to preserve it and keep it moist by placing it in a container of your saliva, or a glass of milk. Your dentist may be able to reattach the tooth.

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 and try to hold it in place as you arrange for emergency dental care. 

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. Over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, can also be used to relieve pain and inflammation. 

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.

If your dental emergency is causing severe bleeding or affecting your ability to breathe or swallow emergency medical care is required. Please call 911 or visit your nearest ER. 

4. Contact our Abbotsford 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 Clayburn Dental, we take a preventive approach to treatment and always use the most non-invasive treatment options at our disposal.

Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Contact our Abbotsford dentists. We are open 7 days a week and will do our best to fit you into our schedule as soon as possible.