5 Things to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency

I have a dental emergency. What should I do?

Dental emergencies can take many forms and occur at any time of day or night. You could have a tooth knocked out, an abscess, gum injury, or other painful conditions.

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 common dental emergencies and quick explanations of what you can do:

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.

Jagged edges are common in teeth that have been chipped, broken, or knocked out. Parts of the tooth may still be in your mouth, or the entire tooth and 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 under running water. Use no soap or chemicals, and avoid wrapping it in tissue or a towel, as this can cause damage. Also, avoid rubbing or agitating the tooth.

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

To relieve pain and swelling, apply an ice pack to your face and rinse your mouth with warm water.

3. Stay Calm

As painful as a dental emergency can be, it will pass. Breathe deeply and try to stay calm as you contact your dentist and ask for advice.

4. Contact our Windsor dental office immediately.

If you have a dental emergency, please contact our office right away. We can schedule an appointment for you to see a dentist at our dental clinic as soon as possible. Our dentists can examine the swelling or affected area to determine the cause and plan the best treatment approach.

5. Consider dental restorations, surgery or other treatment options.

Your dentist will go over your treatment options, which could include a crown, tooth extraction, dental implants, or other options. If necessary, the dentist can also refer you to or recommend a specialist. We take a preventive approach to treatment at Madison Dental and always use the least invasive treatment options available.

Bookmark our website or type "dentist near me" into your favourite search engine, and our information will likely come up. We will be happy to answer any questions, address pain or other symptoms and explain treatment options in language you can understand.

Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Contact our Windsor dentists right away, so our team can schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.