5 Things to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

What should you do if you are experiencing a dental emergency? Here, our Mount Pearl dentists provide some advice about how to reduce your pain and possibly help your oral health until you can see a dentist.

I have a dental emergency, what should I do?

Dental emergencies can take many forms and occur at any time of the night or day. You may have your tooth knocked out, an injury to your gums, an abscess, or other 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 of the most common dental emergencies and a quick explanation of what you can do if you find yourself faced with one.

Do you have moderate to severe swelling on your face, mouth or neck areas that are causing you to have difficulty breathing or swallowing? 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. Don't use soap or any chemicals and do not wrap it in a tissue or towel, since this can damage the tooth. Also, ensure that you do not rub or agitate the tooth in any way.

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.

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.

3. Stay Calm

As painful as a dental emergency may be, it will pass Try to stay calm and take deep breaths as you contact your dentist to ask for advice.

4. Contact our Mount Pearl dental office immediately.

Call our clinic as soon as possible for any dental emergency. We can make an appointment for you to see a dentist as soon as possible. Our dentists will be able to examine the swelling of the affected area in order to determine the cause of the emergency and 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 Mount Pearl 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 Mount Pearl dentists right away, so our team can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.