What to do in a dental emergency

Dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. The good news is that staying calm and taking a few simple steps in the first hour can make a real difference, sometimes the difference between saving and losing a tooth. Keep our number handy, (905) 383-7979, and use the steps below for the most common situations we see on the Mountain.

A bad toothache

Start by rinsing gently with warm water and flossing carefully around the sore tooth to clear any trapped food, which is a surprisingly common cause. A cold compress on the cheek eases swelling, and an over-the-counter pain reliever can take the edge off. Do not place an aspirin directly against the gum, as it can burn the tissue. A toothache that lingers, throbs or wakes you at night usually means something needs attention, so call us to be seen.

A knocked-out tooth

This is the one where minutes count. Pick the tooth up by the crown, the white part you chew with, and never touch the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with water without scrubbing. If you can, slip it back into the socket and bite down gently on a clean cloth. If that is not possible, tuck it inside your cheek or drop it into a small container of milk to keep it moist. Then get to us within the hour. The faster we see you, the better the odds of saving the tooth.

A broken or chipped tooth

Save any pieces you can find and rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is bleeding, press a clean piece of gauze on the area for about ten minutes. A cold compress on the outside of the cheek helps with swelling and discomfort. Even a small chip that does not hurt should be checked, since a crack can let bacteria in and grow into a bigger problem. A badly broken tooth sometimes cannot be saved, and in those cases our tooth extraction team will make the visit as gentle as possible and discuss replacing it.

A lost filling or crown

Keep the crown if you still have it and bring it with you, as we can often re-cement it. The exposed tooth may be sensitive to hot, cold and air, so chew on the other side until you see us. A dab of clove oil on the area can calm the nerve, and a piece of sugar-free gum pressed over the gap can protect it temporarily. This is not an overnight crisis, but book in soon so the tooth does not break further.

Swelling or a dental abscess

Swelling in the gum, face or jaw, especially with a fever or a bad taste, can signal an infection that needs prompt care. Rinse with warm salt water and call us the same day. An infection will not clear on its own and can spread, so this is one to act on quickly rather than wait out.

When to head to the hospital instead

Most dental problems are best handled by a dentist, but go to the emergency room for bleeding you cannot control, a suspected broken jaw, trouble breathing or swallowing, or swelling spreading toward your eye or neck.

A small kit goes a long way

Because emergencies turn up without warning, it helps to have a few things ready before you ever need them. Keep a small container, some clean gauze, a cold pack and our phone number somewhere easy to grab, such as the glove box or a kitchen drawer. If you play contact sports, or your kids do, a properly fitted mouthguard prevents a good share of the broken and knocked-out teeth we see. We are glad to talk you through a custom guard at any visit.

Call us, and we will fit you in

We reserve time each day for urgent care. Call (905) 383-7979 as early as you can, describe what happened, and we will guide you on what to do next and book you in. You can also request an appointment online, and if you are not yet a patient, our new patient page tells you what to bring.