Steps to Take in a Dental Emergency
There are many types of emergencies, and some are more critical than others like severe pain or a dental abscess. It can be difficult to think clearly when you’re in pain, so it’s a good idea to have a general idea of what steps to take in different situations. Here’s what to do based on the most common dental emergencies:
1. Toothache
- Try rinsing your mouth with warm water.
- Floss gently between your teeth to dislodge any food.
- To relieve pain and swelling, try over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Apply a cold compress on and off your face for 20-minute intervals to also help with swelling and pain.
Toothaches don’t go away on their own and will get worse if you don’t seek treatment, so please call our East Vancouver office right away.
2. Dental Abscess
When the nerve in your tooth is infected between the tooth and the gums, we call it an abscess. Abscesses are usually very painful, and you will usually first notice a pimple on the gum line.
- To reduce pain, try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water several times every day.
- Seek professional treatment immediately, as untreated abscesses can spread quickly
3. Chipped or Broken Tooth
- Gather any tooth fragments
- Rinse both your mouth and the broken pieces with warm water.
- Reduce pain and swelling by applying a cold compress.
4. Knocked-Out Tooth
This is a critical dental emergency that requires immediate treatment.
- Retrieve the tooth, hold it by the crown, and rinse it with warm water.
- Do not scrub or otherwise disturb the root or any tissue that is attached.
- Place the tooth in a cup of milk, water, or saliva, and bring it with you to our office.
Knocked-out teeth are most likely to be saved within the first hour, so it is critical that you call us or go to the nearest emergency centre if we’re not immediately available.
Call Our East Vancouver Clinic for the Relief You Need
If you have an emergency, please call our office right away at (604) 876-5032, so we can solve your problem and get you back to enjoying life again.