05 Nov 2021
A shattered tooth or painful toothache is distressing enough on its own, but it is far worse when it happens outside of regular dental office hours. Luckily, there is a solution that can get you the care you need. Emergency dentists offer expedited treatment that will get you out of pain and on the road to recovery without having to contend with a long wait. Choosing your emergency dentist before you need one can make it even easier to get timely dental treatment in a crisis.
What Are Emergency Dental Services?
Emergency dental services are priority care given when time is of the essence. They are usually booked by patients who are experiencing severe pain or dental trauma. You may need an emergency appointment if you have any of the following conditions:
- Lost Tooth. A lost tooth is one of the most obvious emergency dental situations. It is also one of the most urgent. If you can get a dentist to see you within one hour of the tooth becoming detached, there is a good chance that they will be able to reattach it inside your mouth.
- A Toothache. A toothache often indicates decay inside your tooth. Depending on the severity, you may need a root canal. Seeing a dentist as soon as possible will not only help you with your pain but will also prevent worse consequences like an abscess or tooth loss.
- A Cracked or Fractured Tooth. Cracked and fractured teeth are very fragile and prone to breaking further when placed under stress. They may also expose the sensitive inner tissues of your tooth to irritants and decay, causing significant pain. All of these problems are good reasons to contact an emergency dentist.
- A Chipped Tooth. A chipped tooth is rarely a dental emergency on its own, but the tooth may have sustained some trauma that requires further examination. A tooth that is hit hard enough to chip can quickly begin to die from the inside out. Without emergency dental treatment, it is impossible to tell whether your chipped tooth needs additional treatment.
- A Swollen or Broken Jaw. Any damage to the jaw should be seen in a hospital setting first. Once the jawbone has been examined and treated, the ER doctors may recommend that you see an emergency dentist to assess the damage to your teeth.
- Broken Braces. Broken braces can create sharp wires that protrude toward the delicate tissues in your mouth. This may produce painful cuts and bleeding. You can mitigate the damage somewhat by bending the wire away from your gums and the insides of your cheeks, but you will ultimately have to see an emergency dentist to get proper repairs done.
- A Lost Crown or Filling. Losing a crown or filling leaves vulnerable parts of your tooth open to breakage and decay. You may also experience pain. Call your emergency dentist when this happens to make sure your tooth is safe and structurally sound.
- Bleeding Gums. Many people’s gums bleed occasionally, but if yours are bleeding excessively or are very painful to touch, it may be necessary to get them treated quickly.
- A Canker Sore. These small painful mouth lesions usually go away on their own. However, if yours last more than two weeks or come with significant inflammation or a fever, you should see a dentist right away.
3 Ways an Emergency Dentist Helps
If you have never needed an emergency dentist before, you might not understand why they are important.
Going to an emergency dentist:
Connects You to a Qualified Professional
There are so many dentists, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. This is especially true when you are anxious, in pain, and wondering which office has the skills you need.
When you already have an emergency dentist in mind before the issue happens, you know exactly where to go for treatment and relief. There is no need to research dental offices in Mississauga or figure out how to get there. You can just call the clinic and book an appointment.
Gets You Faster Treatment
Tooth pain can be some of the most intense pain you will ever feel, and you will want it to be over as soon as possible. You also have a much better chance of saving a damaged or knocked-out tooth if you get immediate treatment after the injury occurs.
Depending on the time of day when the injury took place, your emergency dentist can often see you within a few hours of your call. This gets you out of pain faster and makes it more likely that your tooth will be saved.
Helps Prevent Infection
Almost every dental emergency carries some risk of infection, and that risk gets worse the longer you wait to have the problem treated.
An emergency dentist can ensure your tooth’s vulnerable inner tissues are safe from infection. They may also prescribe some antibiotics for you if they feel that is needed.
Proactively Preparing for Dental Emergencies
When dental disasters strike, it can be challenging to think clearly enough to figure out what you should do. These tips will help you take the necessary steps to ensure the best outcomes for specific dental emergencies.
Tooth Pain and Swelling
Toothaches and swelling often happen due to food getting stuck under your gums or between your teeth, causing irritation. You can relieve some of your symptoms by swishing some warm salt water around in your mouth. This will soothe some pain and may wash away some of the irritants.
If pain is still a problem at this point, a cold compress may help. Over-the-counter pain medication can also be useful, but do not place the pills against your gums. Despite what you might have heard, this is a dangerous practice that can cause severe chemical burns within your mouth.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
A chipped or broken tooth can sometimes be repaired, and it helps to collect and save all the pieces of your tooth to bring with you if possible. If there is swelling around the jaw or you are in pain, try applying a cold compress to the area.
Knocked-Out Tooth
There is no time to waste when you have lost a tooth. Handle it by touching only the crown, or the part that would be above the gum line. Be very careful to never touch the root of the tooth. Pick it up and rinse it with water, then try to place it back in its socket.
If the tooth does not fit easily into the socket, place it in a glass of milk or your saliva. Bring it to your dentist as soon as possible. If you get there in less than one hour, you have the best possible chance of saving your tooth.
Broken Crown
A broken crown calls for an immediate dental visit. If you are in pain while you are waiting, try applying some clove oil to the area around the affected tooth. You can also try to gently put the crown back in place with some toothpaste or dental adhesive. Do not force the crown onto your tooth if it does not fit naturally. You should also never use any type of glue to fix a broken crown. Leave that to your dentist!
Abscess
As long as the infection has not progressed too far, a warm salt water rinse can control pain from a dental abscess. However, this is a temporary measure and will not do the job for long, so be sure to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Trillium Smile Dentistry Offers Emergency Dentistry Services
Good emergency dental care can make a big difference during stressful times in your life. If you want an emergency dentist in Mississauga you know you can rely on, visit Trillium Smile Dentistry. Dr. Tousi is one of the best dentists in the GTA and has treated countless patients for dental injuries, advanced tooth decay, abscesses, and more. Trust us for your emergency care when you need it! Call us at 905-828-9894 or book an appointment online and get to know our team today.