Dental emergencies require prompt, professional care from an emergency dental clinic. An emergency dentist is able to accurately diagnose the issue, offer effective treatment, and alleviate your pain. Furthermore, timely attention helps ensure that the problem doesn’t worsen. 

However, many patients feel some confusion about what constitutes a dental emergency. This can cause them to delay seeking treatment, which can be extremely detrimental to their oral health.

In this article, you’ll gain a better understanding of what dental emergencies are so you can respond quickly if one occurs.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself

If you are trying to determine if you’re having a dental emergency, start by asking yourself these five questions.

1. Are you in severe pain?
2. Is there mild to severe bleeding from your mouth?
3. Have you lost a tooth?
4. Are any of your teeth loose?
5. Do you see signs of an abscess or infection?

Did you answer yes to any of those questions? In that case, you are likely experiencing a dental emergency and should contact Oakville Place Dental Office at (905) 842-6030.

Generally, a dental emergency is any situation that requires medical attention to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, save a loose or knocked-out tooth, or treat an infection.

These scenarios require professional dental assistance. You will not be able to deal with it on your own. Some oral health conditions, like abscesses or severe infections, can be life-threatening if not treated promptly and properly.

Signs of a Dental Emergency

Many situations constitute a dental emergency. Ideally, you should familiarize yourself with the most common signs before an emergency strikes, as this will help you make better and faster decisions in your time of need.

Ultimately, it’ll be easier to keep a clear and level head. This sense of calm is immensely helpful if you’re assisting someone else who is in the middle of a dental emergency.

Delaying treatment can have serious consequences. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the following signs, you must seek professional help immediately.

• Severe toothache or discomfort in the mouth.
• Loose tooth (providing you have all of your adult teeth).
• Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth.
• Knocked-out or dislodged tooth.
• Lost filling or crown.
• Swollen, bleeding, and painful gums.
• Dental abscess (sore in your gums).
• Growth or sore in the mouth.
• Swollen and painful jaw.
• Odd and persistent taste in your mouth (like metal or blood).
• Broken orthodontics. 
• Obvious trauma to the mouth.

Common Dental Emergencies

• Severe toothache. An intense, persistent toothache needs immediate professional attention. In such cases, the pain is intense, lasts for more than one or two days, can keep you awake at night, and may make it difficult to swallow or breathe.
• Loose tooth. Adult teeth should never feel loose in their sockets. You may have a severe localized infection or gum disease. Alternatively, you might have sustained an injury from a sports incident or car accident.
• Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth. A broken or cracked tooth isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it’s a serious dental emergency. Tooth fractures can expose the pulp and nerves inside the centre of your tooth, leaving you very vulnerable to a major infection.
• Knocked-out tooth. If you have lost a tooth, then it is an undeniable dental emergency. You should be in the dentist’s chair receiving emergency care within the hour. The sooner you receive care, the more likely it is that your dentist will be able to reattach the tooth.
• Lost filling or crown. Your tooth is vulnerable to infection or further (and irreparable) damage without the filling or crown. Contact Oakville Place Dental immediately if you think you’ve lost a filling or crown or if your mouth tastes like metal.
• Swollen, bleeding, and painful gums. Mild to severe bleeding (or minor bleeding that lasts for more than two weeks) requires emergency dental care. This can be a sign of gingivitis, gum disease, or a dental abscess.
• Dental abscess. An abscess is a serious infection at the root of your tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. It can look like a pimple spot on your gums. Additionally, abscesses are often accompanied by a fever, chills, and swollen and bleeding gums. Without prompt treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of your body via the bloodstream.
• Growth or sore in your mouth. If you notice a lingering growth or sore in your mouth, contact Oakville Place Dental immediately. It could be a sign of oral cancer.
• Swollen or painful jaw. Oral infections can sometimes cause your jaw to swell painfully. An infection can also cause a fever, a bad taste in your mouth, or difficulty breathing.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

1. Contact an emergency dental office. In the event of a dental emergency, you should immediately contact your local dentist. Oakville Place Dental is ready to assist you. A quick response is essential for minimizing damage, preventing infection, and reducing discomfort.
2. Use pressure to stop the bleeding. Your first priority should be to stop the bleeding. Using a clean and cool washcloth, apply direct pressure to the injury site in the mouth. Lean forward to prevent blood from flowing down your throat.
3. Manage the pain. You can take acetaminophen to ease your discomfort. Do not, however, take aspirin since it’s a blood thinner.
4. Find the knocked-out tooth or pieces of the broken tooth. Retrieve the pieces of the broken or chipped tooth if possible. These can be bonded back together by your emergency dentist. Similarly, some dislodged teeth can be reattached at the emergency dental office. Just don’t pick up the knocked-out tooth by the roots!
5. Avoid home remedies. In a dental emergency, you need professional care and attention. Do not try to DIY your own dental procedure. This can lead to further damage and infection.
6. Stay calm. Medical emergencies of any kind tend to inspire panic. Nonetheless, it is very important that you remain calm. You’ll be able to act promptly and get the necessary help with less stress.

Oakville Place Dental: Your Emergency Dental Office

Oakville Place Dental is Toronto’s leading emergency dental clinic. We provide prompt and effective care when you need it most. When you trust us with your dental emergency, rest assured that we will do everything possible to ensure that you are treated in a timely manner. 

Our kind and talented staff are ready to assist you. We also work with your insurance company, billing them directly whenever possible.

For an emergency dental office in Oakville, call Oakville Place Dental at (905) 842-6030 or contact us here.