Dental Emergencies – Act Fast!

Emergency dental issues are priority to us and should be to you as well. Delaying treatment can lead to further damage or permanent damage. At Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic we are here to help alleviate pain, prevent infection and provide you with treatment to fully repair your teeth or gums. We have listed what to do in some emergency cases-

Toothache

Rinse the mouth with warm water to remove food debris
If swelling is present, place a cold compress to the outside of the cheek (do not use heat)
Control moderate pain with over-the-counter pain medication
Do not place aspirin on the gum or aching tooth. Aspirin can cause the soft tissue to burn
Seek dental treatment as soon as possible.

If a permanent tooth is knocked out, it can be saved but immediate action is required.

Remain calm and find the tooth
Handle the top of the tooth only (the crown). Never hold the tooth by its roots
Do not scrape, rub or remove any tissue fragments from the tooth
Make sure the tooth is clean. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in milk or very quickly in water. Alternatively, the owner can gently suck the tooth although this is not recommended for young children or adults who are unconscious, in shock or not calm and cooperative
Immediately replant the tooth in the socket and hold tooth in place
If unable to replant the tooth, keep it moist by immersing it in milk (not water), sealing it in plastic wrap, or placing it in the owner’s mouth next to the cheek (if the owner is able)
Do not let the tooth dry out
Seek immediate dental treatment (time is critical).

If a baby tooth is knocked out:

Do not attempt to replace it in the socket. Re-implanting a knocked out baby tooth could cause damage to the developing adult tooth. It is important to seek prompt dental treatment so any trauma to the lips and gums can be managed.

Chips, fractures and cracks

If a tooth is chipped, fractured or cracked seek dental treatment as soon as possible

If the chip or fracture is only minimal and there is no soft tissue trauma and no pain, do not panic but do seek prompt dental treatment. If the damage to the tooth is more extensive, look for any sign of ‘pink’ as this indicates the nerve is exposed. If the nerve is exposed, seek immediate dental treatment. Delaying treatment may mean the tooth will be unable to be saved.

Injuries to the soft tissues, which include the tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips, can result in bleeding.

To control the bleeding, here’s what to do:

Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution.
Use a moistened piece of gauze or tea bag to apply pressure to the bleeding site. Hold in place for 15 to 20 minutes.
To both control bleeding and relieve pain, hold a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop, see your dentist right away or go to a hospital emergency room. Continue to apply pressure on the bleeding site with the gauze until you can be seen and treated.

Abscesses and swelling

Dental abscesses are pus-filled swellings caused by infection inside a tooth, infection of the gum or trauma to the tooth. Abscesses are often painful, but not always. Abscesses can cause facial swelling or enlarged lymph glands. In rare cases, dental abscesses can cause more widespread infection and may be life threatening.

Seek immediate treatment by a dentist or doctor for facial swelling
Control moderate pain with over-the-counter pain medication. Take this in the usual way and do not apply the medication to the abscess itself
Use cold compresses to help control swelling
A dentist or doctor may prescribe antibiotics to reduce infection, however antibiotics will not remove the source of infection
Seek prompt dental treatment. An abscess will not heal itself, and antibiotics will not fix the problem.

Jaw pain

If you are having trouble eating or opening your mouth due to jaw pain, or you experience jaw pain when waking, seek medical or dental treatment to diagnose the source of the pain. To alleviate jaw pain in the short term:

Apply a cold compress
Take anti-inflammatory medication.

Dental emergencies are quite frightening and often painful.Sometimes teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding or biting on hard objects. In other cases, fillings, crowns and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health. At our South Calgary Office, located in Chinook Professional Tower, we know time is crucial with a dental emergency, please contact us immediately and we will get you in to see Dr. Charchuk as soon as possible.