What to Do During a Dental Emergency

Having a toothache, an abscess, cracked or chipped teeth or losing a filling, these would all be considered dental emergencies that should be treated immediately. A dental emergency can be both painful and terrifying, and infections in your mouth can lead to life-threatening conditions if left untreated for too long. Whatever type of dental emergency you have, delaying treatment can make the issue even worse and it can also cause irreparable damage to your teeth. To help minimize pain and keep your teeth, here are some tips you should do when experiencing a dental emergency.

Call Your Dentist

You should make arrangements immediately to see your dentist or someone who treats dental emergencies in Sarnia. The dentist will tell you what you should do in the meantime before they see you. If you can’t speak, then get someone else to call for you. If it is for a child or someone else in your care, try to find out as much information as possible and then let the medical professional know. If telemedicine is an option for you, then use it. You can also take pictures or Facetime to get more information across.

Know the Nature of Your Emergency

There are different procedures designed for all types of accidents and dental emergencies. Try to determine if your or your loved one is experiencing any of the following:

• Throbbing pain and swelling – This could imply an infection. This type of emergency will require immediate medical attention. If the dentist’s office is not open at the time, then call your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic or the ER. Oral infections that are not treated right away will have serious outcomes, like the loss of a tooth or sepsis and septic shock.
• Getting your tooth knocked out – Get in touch with your dentist right away to get specific instructions. If you cannot reach your dentist, then remember the following: avoid touching the root of the tooth and put it back into your socket if possible, it can still be saved. If this is not possible, hold the tooth inside of your cheek until you get to the dentist. The most important thing you need to do is keep the tooth moist. Place your tooth in a cup of saline or milk. Receiving prompt dental treatment may allow your tooth’s root to reconnect.
• Suddenly getting a toothache or abscess – There could be something trapped in your gums that is causing this. Gently floss the area and swish some warm salt water in your mouth. Hopefully, it will be easily removed. If not, having a sharp pain in your tooth can mean you have an infection or an advanced tooth decay stage. You might need a root canal to save your tooth or need to undergo an extraction in order to relieve your pain.
• Cracked or chipped tooth – Rinse your mouth to make sure that you do not swallow a piece of your tooth. Take some gauze or a clean cloth and place it on top of the sharp edges of the broken tooth. You should try your best to locate and secure the pieces of your tooth to bring to your dentist.

If you are looking for an emergency dentist in Sarnia, visit us at Sarnia Dental Care! We value the importance of providing the preventive and restorative care you need without having to take time off from work or school. Our team of licensed professionals is committed to putting the needs of our patients first while keeping them comfortable, healthy, and happy! For the convenience of our patients, we also offer direct insurance billing, evening hours, and same-day emergency care. We give other great services, from routine dental exams and cleanings to complex restorative care! For your first visit, click “Request an Appointment” or call us at 519-344-1866. We cannot wait to give you a smile that may last a lifetime!