It’s late evening; your child bursts in, hand held over a bleeding mouth. Or perhaps it’s you, relaxing on the couch when a sharp, throbbing pain shoots through your back molar out of nowhere. In moments like these, panic is a natural response. There will be a question in your mind, Do we need to go to the emergency room right now?
Not every dental issue requires urgent care, but knowing the difference can save teeth and peace of mind. Some problems can wait until a scheduled visit, while others should receive immediate attention to avoid tooth loss.
Common Dental Emergencies
Knocked-out tooth
A tooth that has been completely knocked out of the mouth is a clear sign of an emergency situation. It is important not to waste any more time; otherwise the chance of saving the tooth decreases significantly.
Severe toothache
Some teeth sensitivity is normal, however a severe toothache is a symptom that requires immediate action on your part. In particular, a toothache that doesn’t stop bothering you even at night can be caused by some deep cavities.
Chipped or broken tooth
It is possible that a small chip may not be much of a problem, but a more serious break that leads to exposure of the inner parts of your tooth and even pain should not be taken lightly. In any case, if you have cracked or broken teeth, it would pay off to know what type of fracture you have.
Missing filling or dental crown
If you have a missing filling or crown, your tooth becomes open for infections. This may not be as critical as a completely knocked-out tooth, but this is still something that should not be overlooked and should be acted upon sooner rather than later, especially if you have pain or sensitivity.
Swelling and abscess
Any type of facial or gum swelling accompanied by pain, fever, or bad taste in your mouth may indicate an infection, which needs attention immediately. In some cases, gingivitis and gum disease may lead to such problems as well if left without proper treatment.
Severe bleeding
Sometimes, small bleeding after getting hit may not be problematic. However, if you have uncontrollable bleeding despite applying gentle pressure for several minutes, then it is time to get help.
What’s Not Usually an Emergency
Knowing when there is no need for an immediate visit is helpful as well. Minor sensitivity to heat or cold, a tiny broken tooth without pain or sharp edges, and a missing baby tooth are usually nothing to worry about and can be discussed during the next scheduled visit. It takes a little reassurance to get through here, not every ouch is an emergency.
What to Do While Waiting for Care
For those who find themselves in one of the scenarios listed above, here are some tips that might come in handy:
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to remove any loose objects.
- Use a cold pack on the outer cheek in order to relieve the swelling and pain.
- If you’ve lost a tooth, try to keep it moist (milk can be used as an easily available medium) without touching the root.
- If you have an open wound, put pressure on it using gauze.
Remember, all these suggestions will only help you survive the situation until you receive professional help.
When You Should Call an Emergency Dentist
Basically, when you find yourself in situations when there is intense pain, swelling, uncontrollable bleeding, or when the dental emergency involves lost, fractured, or severely damaged tooth, then perhaps you need to look for help immediately.
When you are looking for an emergency dentist in Etobicoke who will always be there when you need them, then better prepare in advance.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Dental emergencies seem to always happen when you least expect them. In fact, they are never convenient nor expected. But knowing what is classified as an emergency situation and some basic first aid procedures will make it easier for you to manage yourself during your time of need.
If any of the above situations sounds all too familiar to you, or if you are just unsure whether the situation that you are faced with requires urgent care or not, then it might be wise to save our phone number in case you need to talk to us about it.
