What oral injuries warrant an after-hours call to the dentist? When would you hop in the car and drive to your dentist’s office without an appointment? It can be difficult to discern whether a situation calls for the immediate attention of a dentist. In today’s blog, you’ll read some examples of dental emergencies, as well as first aid recommendations.
You never know when you’ll need an emergency dentist. In Mission, BC, Dr. Amol Shergill offers immediate dental care to his patients, when necessary. Enter our phone number into your cell phone under “Emergency Dentist” so that when an accident happens, we’ll be a button away. Wren Street Dental can be reached at 604-820-8702.
Lots of Blood
Go immediately to the nearest emergency room.
Injuries to the face, scalp, and head tend to bleed excessively. If an obvious deep or large section of skin has been opened, close the flap and place a clean towel over the area. If the laceration is inside the mouth, place a wet tea bag on the site. A bag of ice over the towel can help reduce bleeding and inflammation.
Example of this Dental Emergency: an open wound on the head, face, or neck
No Blood? Evaluate Your Pain
If there’s some or no blood from a skin laceration and it is not large, place a clean towel, and if possible a bag of ice, over the site. Then call us.
If the issue is acute pain from a toothache, evaluate the pain as follows:
- Have you tried flossing between the painful teeth?
- Has the pain persisted for over 12 hours?
- Are NSAIDS like ibuprofen or acetaminophen unable to relieve the pain?
- Do you have fever or chills, along with the toothache?
- Are you unable to sleep and work?
If you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, call us for the next available appointment or stop by the office. Dr. Shergill will see you as soon as possible.
Example of this Dental Emergency: a deep dental cavity or abscess that causes pain
Broken Off or Deeply Cracked Tooth
Biting down on a hard substance, as well as a blow to the face, can chip or deeply crack a tooth. If there is no blood, call our office for advice. If acute pain occurs, we’ll see you the same day. Measure the pain by answering the questions above.
If a tooth breaks, collect the piece and bring it to our office, if possible.
Example of this Dental Emergency: biting too hard on a fork cracks your tooth
Knocked Out Tooth
Kids start losing baby teeth around six or seven years of age. This is natural and does not require a dental visit. If a child is injured and a baby tooth is knocked out or broken, a dentist’s visit is warranted.
For both baby and permanent teeth, when a blow to the face dislodges a tooth from its socket, here are the steps to take:
- Place a clean towel over the socket
- Hold a bag of ice on the towel
- If the bleeding stops, you can place a wet tea bag or clean washcloth on the open socket
- Collect the tooth or pieces of the tooth, but try not to touch the root or nerve
- If the tooth is intact and the bleeding has stopped, gently place the tooth into its socket, then reapply the cloth or teabag
- If the tooth will not comfortably reseat in the socket, place it in a small container filled with the patient’s saliva or white milk
- Bring both the patient and tooth to our office
- Call our office if you’re not driving; Ask someone else to call if you are the driver; State that a tooth has been knocked out and you’re on the way to our office; We will prepare for your arrival so that you can see Dr. Shergill as soon as possible
Example of this Dental Emergency: soccer ball to the face dislodges tooth from socket
Broken Braces, Restorations, or Mouth Appliances
Never wear a broken appliance. This includes an athletic bridge, partial, denture, mouthguard, night or bite guard, sleep appliance, braces bracket or wire, headgear, or retainer. Broken appliances can harm soft tissues and pose a risk of swallowing small parts. Bring your broken appliance to our office, and we’ll work on a replacement for you.
Example of this Dental Emergency: a denture breaks from dropping in the sink or part of a retainer breaks off
Call Your Emergency Dentist in Mission, BC
We want to help you prevent dental emergencies, as much as possible. Daily home hygiene, along with six-month checkups and cleanings, can help you avoid a toothache that causes acute pain. If you’re an athlete of any age, wear a mouthguard in practice and during games to protect your teeth. Don’t forget to save our phone number under “emergency dentist.”
Dr. Shergill and our team welcome new patients and offer five-star service at Wren Street Dental. Call to reserve your appointment today, 604-820-8702, or contact us online.
