Dental emergencies can occur at any time, and knowing what to do before seeing a clinic can make a world of difference. If you have a sudden toothache, a chipped tooth, or a knocked-out tooth that requires action, let me reiterate that the sooner you act, the better chance you have of saving your smile. If you need urgent care, the first thing you can do is search for an emergency dentist near you. Here’s an easy breakdown of how to deal with the most common types of dental emergencies to reduce discomfort until your appointment.
Sudden Toothache
A sudden toothache can feel severe, throbbing, or constant and may prevent you from chewing and sleeping. You can try the following tips for emergency tooth pain relief before your appointment:
- To reduce swelling, rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication when needed as per the package instructions.
- Use a cold compress to lessen the discomfort and minimize swelling on the outside of your cheek.
- Avoid particularly hot or cold foods until you can get treatment, as they can aggravate the pain during a toothache.
If pain persists, the best recommendation is probably to contact a dental professional immediately.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Accidents at home, sports injuries, or biting something hard can cause teeth to chip or break. Here’s what you can do:
- To clean your mouth, rinse it with warm water.
- If there’s bleeding, place a clean cloth over the area and apply gentle pressure.
- Preserve any broken pieces of the tooth in milk or saline solution and bring them to a dentist.
- Do not chew on the side of the affected tooth until you can get help from a professional.
- Acting quickly could prevent further damage and increase the chances of your tooth being saved.
Knocked-Out-Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a bona fide dental emergency—if you act fast, there is a possibility of saving the tooth:
- Pick the tooth up gently by the crown (the chewing surface), NOT the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse gently with water (do NOT scrub it off).
- If possible, try to place the tooth back into the socket, or else preserve it in milk or saliva to maintain moisture.
You should seek an emergency dentist in Calgary as soon as possible! Time is of the essence; ideally, you should see a dentist in under 1 hour.
Lost Filling or Crown
It’s important to replace a lost filling or a lost crown because the exposed tooth may be subject to damage or infection. Here’s what to do while waiting for an appointment:
- Use warm water to rinse your mouth.
- If your tooth is sensitive, a small piece of sugar-free chewing gum or dental wax can be used to cover it temporarily.
- Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
- You can find a dentist near you to get it fixed fairly quickly.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Painful yet commonly rather quick-healing injuries can occur when biting the tongue, lip and cheek or damaging the gums. Follow this care plan:
- Gently rinse your mouth with saltwater.
- Apply a cold compress to eliminate any swelling.
- Use gauze to stop the bleeding.
- Try not to eat food that will irritate the area until it is healed.
- If bleeding continues after 15–20 minutes, this would be considered urgent dental care.
When to get Urgent Help
You may find yourself in a position that requires immediate attention from a dental professional. Some examples of cases to seek urgent dental care are:
- Severe toothache that has not improved after self-pain relief.
- Knocked-out teeth or severely cracked teeth.
- Ongoing bleeding in the mouth area.
- Infection symptoms: swelling, fever, and pus.
Recognizing the signs and taking these preparation steps and quick tips to be aware of can impact your ability to avoid dental issues that can very easily affect the state of your overall health.
Visit Kensington Dental Choice for Quick Relief
When a dental emergency happens, you want care you can trust and care you can get fast. Kensington Dental Choice can help you! We can help with quick care and close instructions. When you have a sudden toothache or have broken or lost teeth, our team will provide support for relief from discomfort and to keep things from progressing. So don’t wait—call us now and make sure you are getting in for quick care. Your smile matters, and fast emergency dental care can save your teeth and comfort!
Call Kensington Dental Choice now to find the fast relief you need for your healthy smile!
