How to Deal With a Dental Emergency at Home

Your dentist can treat dental emergencies.

Whether you have a severe toothache or an injury from sports or other physical activity, a dental emergency at home can be frightening and inconvenient. You should contact our Calgary dentists as soon as possible so that they can schedule an appointment for you.

Your dentist will be able to assess your situation and decide on a treatment plan.

If you’re unable to get to the dentist right away (within the hour), there are a few things you can do at home in the meantime. Here is some advice about what to do about common dental emergencies.

How To Manage Common Dental Emergencies

The following are some of the most common dental emergencies we see at Arbour Lake Dental, as well as how you can treat them at home to alleviate pain until you can get to our office.

Damaged Tooth

Is one of your teeth chipped or broken? Your dentist may be able to repair the broken piece. Attempt to locate it and bring it to your dental appointment if at all possible. If you can't find it, your dentist will most likely be able to replace it with a restoration like a crown or filling.

Severe Toothache

Severe pain in your teeth can cause severe discomfort; you may feel throbbing or sharp pain. This could be caused by an infection in the root of your tooth, among other things.

You can try some home remedies for an aching tooth until you see the dentist, such as applying an ice pack to the affected area. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever may also aid in pain relief. If the tooth is severely infected, your dentist may recommend a root canal procedure.

Knocked Out Tooth

If one of your teeth has been knocked out, try to locate it and rinse it off with water (not soap or harsh chemicals as this can damage the tooth).

Bite it gently but firmly (and carefully) back into the tooth socket to keep it in place. If you are unable to replace the tooth in its socket, keep it moist by placing it in a glass of milk or your saliva or holding it in your mouth next to your cheek until you see your dentist.

If you are unable to locate the tooth, your dentist can offer options for tooth replacement such as a dental implant or crown.

Damaged Crown or Filling

Fillings and crowns, like teeth, can become lost or damaged. If possible, try to find the missing tooth and rinse it before reattaching it to your tooth. Bring it to your emergency appointment if you are unable to place it.

If you cannot locate your crown or filling, your dentist will likely be able to provide a replacement.

Are you experiencing a dental emergency? Contact our Calgary dentists right away to schedule an appointment. We will get you in as soon as possible.