DENTAL EMERGENCY

We usually can see you for an EMERGENCY EXAM at:

FRASERVIEW DENTAL  CENTRE     

 #101- 80A Sixth Street New Westminster BC  

            

Some of Dental Emergencies:

Permanent Tooth knocked out (Avulsed tooth)

If a tooth has been knocked out of the mouth, you must see a dentist immediately.    If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a good chance the tooth can be saved.

This is what you need to do:

1.      Call the dentist.

2.      Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under lukewarm water.  DO NOT TOUCH OR SCRUB THE ROOT.

3.       Put it back into its socket; if not place it into the cheek pouch.

4.      It is very important to keep the tooth moist. If you can not put the tooth in the mouth, soak it of milk, some saliva, or water as the last option.

5.      See your dentist immediately.

The dentist will try to place the tooth in its socket.   The tooth may reattach and a root canal therapy may be necessary later on.

Loose Tooth (Dislodged Tooth)

If a tooth has been dislodged, or loosened from its socket by trauma, call the dentist immediately to make an appointment.  You may use a cold compress and over the counter medications to relieve pain.  The dentist will re-position the tooth and may add splints to stabilize it for a short period.  Sometimes a root canal therapy may be required.

Broken/ Chipped Teeth

Fractures and chips are usually caused by:

  • biting on something hard like candy, nuts and bone

  • Trauma

  • Grinding

If the tooth is cracked or broken and the dentin or pulp chamber (the vital part of the tooth that has nerve and blood supply) is exposed; it is most likely that the tooth will hurt.

If a part of tooth has been broken off, here is what you should do at home:

  1. Contact the dentist.

  2. Rinse the broken piece and the mouth with lukewarm water.

  3. Apply pressure to the area with a damp gauze for ten minutes if there is bleeding.

  4. Place a clean cold, damp towel on the cheek to minimize swelling.

  5. Bring the broken part to the dentist.

The nature of the break or fracture will determine what the dentist will do. If the nerve is exposed root canal therapy may be necessary.

The dentist may bond the tooth fragment back onto the tooth if possible.

Lost Crown

 When a crown is fallen off the mouth the affected tooth may be sensitive to temperature changes.

If a crown has come loose , make a dental appointment as soon as possible. The adjacent and opposing teeth may shift if you wait more than a couple of weeks. If the tooth is not broken or decayed, the dentist may be able to re-cement the crown.

Broken/ Lost Filling

If a filling is broken the tooth may be sensitive to hot and cold. Avoid biting on anything hard on the affected tooth. Call the dental office and book an appointment as soon as possible to have the filling replaced.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that's caused by a bacterial infection. There are two kinds of dental abscess:

  • Periapical Abscess (Tooth Abscess), A periapical abscess occurs at the tip of the root.

  • Periodontal Abscess (Gum Abscess), periodontal abscess occurs in the gums next to a tooth root.

Periapical Abscess

Tooth Abscess

A periapical ; tooth abscess often happens because of an untreated dental cavity or an accidental injury.

It is usually treated by draining it and getting rid of the infection. In some cases, antibiotics may be required as well. An untreated abscess may lead to serious and sometimes life-threatening complications.

Symptoms of a Tooth Abscess

A chronic dental abscess may not have any symptoms till it changes to acute.

A severe dental abscess may have some of the following signs and symptoms:

  • Sensitivity to hot that lingers

  • Throbbing toothache

  • Sensitivity to the pressure of biting and/or chewing

  • Swelling of the cheek or face

  • Fever

  • Sudden rush of foul-smelling fluid in the mouth if the abscess raptures or drains into the mouth

See a Doctor:

See your dentist promptly if you have any signs or symptoms of a tooth abscess, swelling on your face, fever or chills.

If you have trouble breathing, go to emergency room immediately. This is an indication that the infection has spread deeper and can be life threatening:

  • The infection can spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck and in some cases close the airway.

  • It may cause sepsis (a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection that spreads all over the body)