How to handle common dental emergencies

Dental emergencies can be incredibly stressful. Depending on the situation, they can also be very painful. Having a dentist you trust and who offers emergency dental services can go a long way to making such a situation more manageable, as the last thing you want to do is seek out an emergency dentist on the fly. Those living in Mississauga, Ontario and the surrounding area have been seeing Dr. Hytham Elwi and the skilled team at Smile Horizons Dental Arts for dental emergencies. At Smile Horizons Dental Arts, Dr. Elwi provides emergency dental services and will help you determine if you need to see him and his team immediately or if your situation can wait for regular business hours. 

What should I do during a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies are very common. While you may be taking preventive steps to preserve your oral health, there will be situations where something unexpected happens, resulting in a dental emergency. Knowing what to do in such a stressful time can go a long way in preventing long-term damage. More importantly, knowing how to handle common dental emergencies and having a convenient emergency dentist is a great combination to prevent further damage. Here are some common dental emergencies and how to best approach these situations.

Chipped or broken teeth

Did you accidentally bite down on something hard or take some form of impact to the face? A chipped or broken tooth is more than an aesthetic issue – it can also be quite painful. If you have a cracked or broken tooth, you should first rinse your mouth with warm water and gently apply pressure to the area using some gauze if there is any bleeding. If there is swelling or discomfort, placing a cold compress on the part of your face closest to the chipped or broken tooth will help reduce both. 

Lost filling or crown

The purpose of crowns and fillings is to protect and restore the functionality and appearance of teeth that have become damaged somehow. But when a filling breaks or a crown becomes loose or falls out of your mouth, it is essential to know how to treat the impacted tooth to avoid further damage or even infection. In the case of a lost filling, sticking a piece of sugarless gum into the cavity is one way to protect the tooth temporarily. A loose crown can be held in place by denture adhesive. These are, at best, very temporary solutions until you can get to your dentist.

Lost tooth

When a tooth is knocked out, time is of the essence. Pick up the tooth by the crown (not the root). If the root of the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with warm water. If the tooth is not dirty, avoid rinsing it. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may be able to put the tooth back in place. If this is the case, do so gently and do not push it into the socket. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, fill a small cup with either milk or salted water, submerge your tooth in the liquid so that it can be preserved, and contact your dentist immediately.

These are just a few examples of dental emergencies and how you can handle them. Some other examples of dental emergencies include severe toothaches, broken orthodontics, abscesses, and severe bleeding. If you find yourself in a situation that you are unsure is an emergency, call your dentist and explain the situation. They will determine if you should be seen immediately or if it is alright to wait until an appointment can be made. 

If you find yourself in a potential dental emergency and are in the Mississauga, ON area, please contact Dr. Hytham Elwi at Smile Horizons Dental Arts. Dr. Elwi can be reached at 3145 Dundas St. W Unit 13 in Mississauga, ON. To contact Dr. Elwi by telephone, please call (905) 607-8778.

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