If you brush and floss like you should, it’s easy to take your oral health for granted. Your teeth will always be there when you need them to help you chew food, speak clearly, and look great in all those selfies — or not. A dental emergency can strike anyone at any time, plunging you into pain and leaving you wondering what your next steps are. If the unexpected befalls your mouth, what should you do? Your emergency dentist in Scarborough is here to give you some guidance on what to do when various critical situations arise.
A Tooth Got Knocked Out
Love to play sports? Unfortunately, a single hard blow to the mouth can have devastating consequences for your teeth. If one of those pearly whites comes flying out, be sure you:
- Hold onto the tooth. Store it in its original socket or in a cup of milk or water. Keeping it moist will increase the chances that your dentist will be able to reattach it.
- Only touch the tooth by its crown. By not touching the root of the tooth, you can avoid damaging that sensitive part.
- Get to a dentist ASAP. Even if it is in the evening or on a weekend, it’s possible that you’ll be able to contact your dentist after hours. If that’s not possible, head to a local emergency room to get checked out.
Even if a tooth just gets partially dislodged, be sure to get medical attention right away. You don’t want to risk that the tooth might fall out altogether!
A Tooth Is Broken or Chipped
A broken tooth can cause you some severe pain. Also, when the enamel and dentin get damaged, bacteria may sneak into the tooth’s pulp, causing an infection. If any of your teeth gets broken or chipped, you should see your dentist as soon as you can. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side of the mouth. You can take some mild painkillers to manage your discomfort.
You Lost a Crown or Filling
Crowns and fillings are there to protect damaged teeth against the ravages of everyday life. When one of your restorations gets lost or damaged, your tooth becomes vulnerable. You can try to replace the restoration yourself to get a low level of protection until you get to your dentist in Scarborough. However, be sure not to delay treatment. The longer your tooth doesn’t have its crown or filling, the greater the risk that your tooth will become infected or even need to be extracted.
You’re Facing a Severe Toothache or Injury
Any time your mouth is in a lot of pain, whether it is from a jaw injury or a toothache that you can’t pinpoint the cause of, don’t treat the situation lightly. Call your dentist and describe your circumstances so you can get expert guidance on what to do. Your quick thinking and compliance with instructions could spare you pain, protect your smile, and possibly prevent extensive dental work down the road.
A dental emergency is always a possibility. If it happens to you, take appropriate measures to manage the situation yourself, and, even more importantly, rely on your dentist to help you.
About Our Practice
Drs. Gus Bal and Mahfuzur Rahman are proud to serve the Scarborough community. They understand that dental emergencies pop up from time to time, and they’re ready to leap into action to help you out. If the unexpected happens to you, please contact us at 416-267-6789 right away.
