Emergency Dentistry

Visit us at Westwood Square in Malton, ON

What to do During a Dental Emergency

Not all dental problems are considered emergencies. But if they require immediate attention, like bleeding that won’t stop or pain that doesn’t go away even with medication, you might need dental emergency care. Also, if one or more of your teeth have been dislodged or accidentally knocked out, it’s crucial that you see a dentist immediately, regardless of the time of day.

Here at Westwood Dental, we take dental emergencies very seriously and never take them lightly.

And here’s how you can manage each situation until you receive dental care from us.

• Badly cracked tooth. If your tooth has been badly broken or cracked, the first step is to save any broken pieces of your tooth. Then, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. If your broken tooth is bleeding, apply a piece of gauze or a clean washcloth to the area until the bleeding stops.
• Knocked out tooth. If your tooth has been knocked out, be sure to retrieve it right away. Pick it up carefully and hold it by the crown. Do not touch the roots. Once you’ve retrieved it, put it in a cup of milk. If milk isn’t available, you may place it in a cup of water containing a pinch of table salt.
• Dislodged or extruded tooth. This situation requires immediate treatment if you want to save your tooth. Head to our dental office right away, ideally within an hour. And until you reach our office, make sure that you’ve applied a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek in the affected area. You may also take over-the-counter pain relievers to control the discomfort and pain.

Other dental emergencies you may encounter are abscesses, bleeding gums, broken braces and wires, extreme pain, loose brackets and bands, lost fillings, an object stuck between your teeth, and soft tissue injuries. Any of these dental emergencies can be potentially serious and must never be ignored. Doing so can increase the risk of permanent loss and damage as well as the need for more complicated and expensive treatment later.