What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any issue that requires immediate treatment to stop bleeding, relieve severe pain, or save a tooth. This can result from accidents, fights, untreated cavities reaching the nerve, or severe infections that could be life-threatening.
Do I Need Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry can preserve your natural teeth, prevent infections from spreading, and save you from more costly procedures. For example, if a tooth is knocked out in an accident, it may still be reinserted, but only within a short time frame. Acting quickly and consulting an emergency dentist in St. Thomas can help avoid expensive implants and painful treatments.
You should seek emergency dental care if you experience:
- Pain that interferes with eating or sleeping
- Knocked-out teeth
- Broken or loose braces
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Lost filling or crown
- Abscess or “pimple” on the gumline
What to Do if You’re Experiencing a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies can be frightening, but staying calm is crucial. Follow these first aid steps and seek a dentist as soon as possible:
Toothache
Apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area. You can take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil) for pain relief. Avoid Aspirin as it thins the blood and could worsen bleeding if surgery is needed. Follow your doctor’s advice and the instructions on the medication package. Keep track of the medication, dosage, and time taken.
Knocked-Out Teeth
If a tooth is knocked out, handle it by the crown, not the root. If it’s clean, gently try to place it back into the socket. If not, rinse it (without scrubbing) and place it in a cup of warm milk. A knocked-out tooth is most likely to be saved if treated within the hour. Call us immediately for the best chance of saving your tooth.
Broken Teeth
If part of your tooth breaks off, collect and save all the pieces. Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove smaller fragments. Apply sterile gauze to stop any bleeding. Use a cold compress or ice pack to reduce pain and swelling. Call us immediately to restore the tooth and prevent further damage.
Abscess
If you have an abscess, rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution (half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) several times a day. This can help relieve pain and draw the pus to the surface. An abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the teeth and gums. It can damage tissue and nearby teeth and spread to other parts of your body if left untreated. Call us immediately for treatment to prevent further damage.
Fallen-Out Filling
As a temporary solution, you can use orthodontic wax to cover the hole left by the fallen-out filling. This soft, moldable wax can protect the area until you see a dentist. You can find it in most drugstores, but this is only a temporary fix. See your dentist as soon as possible to have the filling properly restored.
Jaw Injury
If you’ve experienced trauma to your jaw, avoid eating solid foods, apply an ice pack to reduce swelling, and call us to determine your next steps. If you suspect your jaw is broken, it’s important to see an emergency dentist immediately for proper treatment.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best first step is always to give us a call! While dental first aid tips can help alleviate pain, we’ll guide you over the phone to manage the situation, save your tooth, and get you to our office as quickly as possible.
Follow your doctor’s advice and the directions on the medication bottle. You may take a pain reliever like Tylenol, Advil, or Aspirin to ease the discomfort temporarily, but remember, dental pain is often nerve-related, and lasting relief will come from professional treatment. Make sure to note the medication, dosage, and time taken to share with us when you visit.
Yes, the ER will treat you and bill your health insurance. However, they are unlikely to address the dental issue unless it’s a health emergency. They may provide temporary relief until you can see a dentist for proper treatment.
If untreated, a broken tooth can accumulate bacteria, risking infection or abscess. It can also lead to nerve damage, possibly requiring a root canal to restore the tooth.
If the abscess ruptures, the pain may decrease, but dental treatment is still necessary. If it doesn’t drain, the infection could spread to your jaw, head, neck, and potentially lead to sepsis—a life-threatening condition that spreads throughout the body. Immediate dental care is crucial to prevent complications.
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