Types of Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Dental emergencies can take many forms. Knowing what to do in advance will protect your health while avoiding an unnecessary trip to your emergency dentist in Thornhill.

Damaged Teeth

Teeth can suffer damage during sports, from biting hard foods, or due to a fall. Any of these situations can lead to cracks and chips. If damage is minor, wait until office hours to schedule an appointment, but if there is a large crack, a significant piece of tooth has broken off, or the tooth has nerve damage, seek immediate dental attention.Before you head to the clinic, rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the tooth and hold a cold compress to your face to reduce swelling. You can take an over-the-counter analgesic, but avoid aspirin if there is any bleeding.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is always an emergency, whether it happens to an adult tooth or a baby tooth. If you act fast, your dentist may be able to save the tooth. Improve your chances by trying to reinsert an adult tooth before you arrive at the clinic. Without touching the root, rinse the tooth clean and, ensuring it is facing the right way, push it back into position. You can make this easier by biting down on wet gauze or a teabag.If you are unable to reinsert the tooth or if a baby tooth is knocked out, place the tooth in milk or tooth preservation product and bring it with you to the clinic. You can apply a compress on the area to stop the bleeding.

Severe Pain

Toothache is a sign of an abscess, an infection, or tooth decay. It is important to see your dentist as soon as possible, both to resolve the underlying problem and to alleviate pain.