Emergency Dental Care:
What to Do When You Have a Dental Emergency
Though dental emergencies can be frightening and painful, You may need a dental emergency at any given time. It's important to know what to do in a dental emergency to ensure prompt treatment and prevent further damage or complications.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate dental treatment to alleviate pain, save a tooth, or prevent further damage to your oral health. Some common dental emergencies include:
- Severe toothache
- Broken, chipped, or knocked-out tooth
- Loose or lost dental restoration (crown, filling, bridge)
- Abscess or infection
- Bleeding from the mouth or gums
- Broken or dislocated jaw
What Should I Do in a Dental Emergency?
If you're experiencing a dental emergency, here's what you should do:
- Stay calm: Dental emergencies can be scary and painful, but staying calm can help you think clearly and make better decisions.
- Contact your dentist: Call your dentist immediately to let them know what's happening and schedule an emergency appointment.
- Manage the pain: Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed to alleviate pain and discomfort.
- Save any broken or knocked-out teeth: If you have a broken or knocked-out tooth, save the pieces or tooth and bring them with you to your emergency appointment. If the tooth is knocked out, try to reinsert it into the socket if possible or store it in a container of milk until you can see your dentist.
- Control bleeding: If you're bleeding from the mouth or gums, apply pressure with a gauze or a clean cloth to stop the bleeding.
When Should I Call 911 for a Dental Emergency?
In rare cases, a dental emergency may require immediate medical attention from a hospital emergency room. A few cases may require you to go for an emergency:
- Severe bleeding from the mouth or head
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Swelling that affects your breathing or vision
- Loss of consciousness
Our emergency dental services are available to help you get the treatment you need when you need it.
Emergency Dental Care for Refugees:
If you are a refugee in Canada,our dentists will be able to help during your dental emergencies. Through the Interim Federal Health Program ( IFHP) of Canada we provide emergency dental care here at our clinic free of charge.
