Preventive dentistry can go a long way towards helping prevent many dental emergencies and is the best way to preserve and protect your dental health. However, when an emergency does occur, knowing what to do can help prevent long-term damage.
We Are Here to Help You
We know suffering from a dental emergency can be a worrying and upsetting time which is why our friendly dental team at West Bowmanville Family Dental is here to help you. If you are ever concerned about your dental health, please contact us immediately, and we can schedule an appointment to relieve discomfort and pain. When you call during ordinary office hours, we can usually offer you an appointment on the same day. However, we know that dental emergencies can often happen at inconvenient times, so we always have someone on call to deal with emergencies. Alternatively, you can always email us for help and advice.
What Are Some of the Most Common Dental Emergencies?
Some of the most common dental emergencies in Newcastle include problems with tooth decay or a chipped tooth, or advanced gum disease, resulting in pain or discomfort.
Toothache
A painful tooth is never a good sign and can often indicate untreated tooth decay. While you may be able to relieve the pain temporarily, your tooth will need urgent dental care in Newcastle. It’s especially important to come and see us quickly if you have other signs like facial swelling, develop a fever, or feel generally unwell. Sometimes a severe infection can impact your overall health and, in rare cases, could even become life-threatening. Until you see us, you can take over-the-counter painkillers but don’t place them on your gums as they can burn the tissue. You may find using a cold compress helps relieve the pain until you can see your dentist.
Broken or Chipped Tooth
Many people have experienced that sinking sensation when they bite down on something and feel a tooth crumble or chip. If this happens to you, rinse your mouth with warm water, and if needed, use a cold compress to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. If the injury has caused bleeding, apply a clean piece of gauze and gentle pressure to help stop the bleeding. You will need to get the tooth mended quickly; otherwise, bacteria can enter the tooth, causing infection and worsening the problem.
Knocked out Tooth
When you pick up a knocked-out tooth, hold it by the crown, which is the part you can normally see in the mouth and rinse it only if it looks dirty. Do not scrub the tooth root and leave any tissue fragments attached. You might be able to reinsert the tooth, ensuring it faces the right way around and afterwards hold it in place with a clean finger or bite down gently on a tissue and come and see us immediately. If you cannot face reinserting the tooth, store it in a little milk or saltwater solution to help preserve it, and see an emergency dentist in Clarington immediately. The chances of successful reinsertion are much higher if you can see a dentist within an hour after knocking out a tooth.
Losing a Filling or Crown
Fillings and crowns help protect damaged teeth, so if these become loose or fall out, you need to get them mended as soon as possible to prevent further damage or infection. In the meantime, you can replace a lost filling by inserting a small piece of sugar-free gum into the cavity. Do not try to glue a crown back onto the tooth, as you could damage your tooth and the crown. Instead, bring it to our dentist in Courtice so we can see if it can be cemented back in place.