What Constitutes A Dental Emergency?
Below are some examples that would constitute a dental emergency.
A broken or knocked out tooth is probably the most prominent example of a dental emergency. If you find yourself in a situation where one or more of your teeth have been broken or even knocked out, make sure to follow these steps:
- Clean the affected area and rinse your mouth with warm water
- Stop the bleeding with a piece of cloth or gauze. Apply gentle pressure.
- Try to reduce the swelling. You may want to put ice on the outside of your mouth.
- Try to find the broken or knocked out tooth and place it in a cup of milk or your own saliva.
IMPORTANT: Never pick up your tooth by the root! Only hold it by its crown. - Contact our emergency dental clinic in St. Laurent, Manor Park & Vanier.
Inner Mouth Injuries
An injury of the gums, lips, tongue, or inside of your cheeks can also constitute a case for emergency dentistry. If you experience an injury to any part of the inside of your mouth, make sure to clean the blood from the area and apply pressure to stop (or at least) reduce the bleeding. If possible, also apply ice to reduce the swelling and contact our emergency dental clinic right away.
Lost Crown or Filling:
Fillings or crowns are susceptible to damage and regular wear and tear. Although they are made to last, these tooth repair measures can be damaged and fall out of place, for example if the tooth has decayed and changed shape so that the crown or filling do no longer fit the damaged area.
If you encounter a situation where a crown or filling becomes loose, try to retrieve them gently and preserve them in a safe place. In some instances, our emergency dentist may be able to re-apply it. If not, your dentist will need to replace the crown or filling as soon as possible.
(Severe) Toothaches
These are probably the most common dental emergencies and the hardest to evaluate. Toothaches can have a variety of reasons, from cavities and infections to structural damage to a chipped tooth. Whatever the cause may be, it is important that you observe the discomfort and contact your emergency dentist as soon as possible to prevent an escalating problem.
Broken Braces
Not all dental emergencies are directly related to your teeth. A case of broken braces can leave your teeth unscathed but nonetheless requires immediate attention. Brackets can break as a result of biting on them or hard food, or simply inadequate installation. Sometimes, the wire can slip out or break. Thankfully, in most instances, broken braces are merely irritating. However, a broken wire can be very uncomfortable and even puncture a cheek! If you experience broken braces, make sure to contact our emergency dentist right away.
Emergency Dentistry Aftermath
Like with any other medical emergency, caring for the emergency itself is only the first step. The second step is to provide apt aftercare and ensure that the emergency has been fully and permanently resolved. It is therefore necessary (in almost all cases) to book follow-up appointments in which your personal emergency dentist St. Laurent, Manor Park & Vanier can take a look at the healing process and ensure that your smile is as good as new.
Contact Us In Case Of Emergency Dental Care
If you experience one of the cases of dental emergency mentioned above or are unsure whether your case constitutes a dental emergency, please contact us immediately! We will be able to evaluate the situation and provide instant help and relief.