When it comes to dental issues, it can be hard to figure out what is considered a dental emergency and what can wait. Is a chipped tooth an emergency? How about a knocked-out baby tooth? Your Kelowna dentists at Discover Dental have some answers to help you understand what is and isn’t a dental emergency. Plus, we’ve got some tips on preventing a dental emergency in the first place.
So, What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Simply put, a dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate attention to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding, or alleviate severe pain.
- Severe Tooth Pain: Severe tooth pain can indicate a serious underlying issue, such as an infection or abscess. If you’re experiencing persistent, intense pain, seek help from an emergency dentist near you. If you’re a Kelowna resident, that means our dentists: Dr. Hallett, Dr. Carter, or Dr. Hayward.
Rinsing your mouth with warm water and taking over-the-counter pain relievers can help until you can see your emergency dentist. - Tooth Gets Knocked Out: If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, rinse it gently with water, then try placing it back into the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, tuck it into the cheek (if you’re confident it won’t be swallowed by accident!) or store it in a container of milk. Get to your emergency dentist in Kelowna, BC, immediately to increase the likelihood of your dentist being able to reattach the tooth.
How about if it’s a knocked-out baby tooth? First, don’t worry about trying to put it back into the socket. Doing so could damage the developing permanent tooth that lies inside the gums. You also don’t have to bring in your child immediately or save the tooth in milk since dentists typically don’t attempt to reattach knocked-out baby teeth. However, we suggest contacting your dentist for advice and making an appointment for them to check for any underlying damage. - Chipped or Cracked Tooth: Is a chipped tooth an emergency? It can be if you have severe pain or a large piece of your tooth is missing. Immediately rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Seek emergency dental care asap to prevent further damage or infection.
- Abscess: An abscess is a serious infection that occurs at the root of a tooth or in the gums. It can happen to both adults and children. An abscess can cause severe pain, fever, or what looks like a pimple on the gums. It can start out feeling like a mild toothache but get progressively worse. This condition requires immediate attention from an emergency dentist to prevent the infection from spreading.What should you do at home if you suspect you have an abscess? Rinse your mouth with salt water to ease the pain and draw out any pus.
Want info on what constitutes a kids’ dental emergency? Check out our list of pediatric dental emergencies.
What Can Wait?
Now that you know what is considered a dental emergency, here are some dental situations that don’t typically need attention right away:
- Mild Toothache: When it first begins, manage a mild toothache with over-the-counter pain relievers, but you’ll want to make an appointment with your Kelowna dentist to get your tooth pain assessed. Tooth pain can be a sign of a growing cavity, teeth grinding, or even the beginnings of gum disease. If the pain persists longer than a couple of days, if there’s swelling in your face or jaw, or if opening your jaw causes pain, these are signs to call your dentist.
- Lost Filling or Crown: Losing a filling or crown is not typically a dental emergency unless you’re in severe pain. Keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you can see your dentist to replace the filling or crown. You might notice some discomfort or tooth sensitivity when a filling or crown falls out because it can expose your tooth’s inner tissue. Try and get it looked at within a week or so.
- Minor Chips or Cracks: Small chips or cracks that don’t cause pain can usually wait. Avoid using the affected tooth to chew, and make an appointment with your dentist to address the issue.
Tips on Preventing Dental Emergencies
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) offers a few tips on preventing dental emergencies:
- Avoid chewing on really hard things like ice, hard candies, or unpopped corn kernels
- Don’t use your teeth to rip or tear at things that you can use scissors for, like tape or thread
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
For kids in particular, parents should:
- Use the correct car seats for your child
- Keep babies away from hard objects that could damage their teeth if chewed on
- Get a mouthguard for your child if they play sports
- Encourage a helmet for biking, skating, skateboarding, etc.
When in Doubt, Call Your Emergency Dentist in Kelowna
If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to call your emergency dentist in Kelowna, BC, for advice. The Discover Dental team is happy to provide guidance.
As a comprehensive general dentistry practice, Dr. Hallett, Dr. Carter, and Dr. Hayward are here to help you with all your family’s dental health needs, from emergency dental care to dental cleanings, crowns and bridges, and even high-tech oral cancer screenings. We also offer both surgical and cosmetic dentistry, such as dental implants or porcelain veneers.
Contact us to get your dental emergency questions answered or to schedule your next appointment at our modern, welcoming Kelowna dentist office.