What Is A Dental Emergency?

Any dental issue that involves severe pain, uncontrolled bleeding or a lost tooth requires immediate attention and is considered a dental emergency. Getting appropriate treatment right away is crucial and can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

If you are unsure whether you should call an emergency dentist in Grand Bend for your dental problem, here are some questions to consider:

• Have you lost a tooth?
• Are you in severe pain?
• Do you have an infection?
• Do you have loose teeth?
• Has your mouth been bleeding uncontrollably?

If your answer to any of the above is yes, you should call your Grand Bend dentist right away. If the clinic is closed, you may need to visit an emergency dentist.

What Does Not Require Emergency Care?
Some issues may seem critical at first but can actually wait a couple of days so long as you take good care of yourself. You should still call your dentist for an appointment in these cases, but you do not need emergency service. For example:

• A lost filling- keep the filling and gargle salt water to keep the area clean. You can also use dental wax or temporary filling material to protect the tooth until you see your dentist.
• A broken crown- immediate attention is not needed unless the fractured pieces are jagged and causing pain in your mouth.
• A toothache- you can slightly delay a visit if your pain is not severe and you do not have an abscess. However, if you have a high fever and swelling, you should contact your dentist for immediate attention.

What Should I Do While Waiting for Care?

If your tooth has been knocked out or is extremely loose, do what you can to keep it in the socket but take care not to swallow it. You should also avoid the tooth root so that you do not introduce any new bacteria.

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water and icing your cheek near the damaged tooth will temporarily relieve any pain and swelling. Your dentist may also advise you to take over-the-counter pain medications to manage your discomfort until your appointment.

The best way to avoid a dental emergency is to practice good oral hygiene and have regular check-ups with your dentist. You can save yourself a lot of future pain and panic by contacting our highly-experienced dentists at Grand Bend Family Dental today.