Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are quite frightening and often painful.  Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival.

Sometimes teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding or biting on hard objects.  In other cases, fillings, crowns and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely.  If there is severe pain, it is essential to make an appointment with the dentist as quickly as possible.  The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health.

Types of dental emergency and how to deal with them

Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)

If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately or go to the hospital.  When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves and blood vessels become damaged.  If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.

Here are some steps to take:

Call the dentist or go to the hospital.
Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water.  DO NOT touch the root.
If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort.  It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.
The dentist will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket.  In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary.

Lost filling or crown

Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating.  Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure.  Crowns generally become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying.  The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits.

If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment as soon as possible.  Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that the dentist can reinsert it.  If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage.

When the dentist is not immediately accessible, here are the steps to take:

  • Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
  • Denture adhesive can be used if necessary to affix the crown, although it is best to leave the crown off as the denture adhesive may let loose and the crown could be accidentally swallowed.
  • DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.
  • The dentist will check the crown to see if it still fits.  If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. Where decay is noted, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our Winnepeg dental office today @ 204-947-0247. Click here to schedule your appointment online. We look forward to providing you with the personal care you deserve.