At Alaska Avenue Dental Clinic, we know that oral health problems and injuries don’t always occur when we expect them to. That’s why our dentists offer same-day and emergency appointment bookings for our Fort St. John patients.
Although they are rare, dental emergencies do happen, and never at a convenient time. If you have sustained an oral injury or are experiencing pain, waiting is often simply not an option; you need treatment as soon as possible.
Examples of Dental Emergencies
Any dental problem that requires immediate treatment to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding, or alleviate severe pain is considered a dental emergency.
Knocked Out Tooth
If you have a knocked out tooth, it requires immediate intervention to be saved. If you can locate the knocked out tooth, pick it up by the crown, and rinse it off so that any debris is washed off. Don’t scrub it or remove any tissue that’s still attached.
If possible, try to insert it back into the socket, and try to hold it in place by biting down gently.
If you can’t get the tooth back into the socket, place it in a small container or a cup of milk.
Call your dentist immediately. Following the steps above and getting to your dentist as soon as possible are critical steps for saving a knocked out tooth.
Loose Tooth
If you have a tooth that has become loose or is out of alignment, call your dentist for an emergency appointment right away. In the meantime, try to put the tooth back into it’s original position if you can, using your finger and very light pressure. Don’t try to force it, though!
If you can get the tooth back into position, bite down gently to keep it in place
Chipped, Cracked or Fractured Teeth
While chipped teeth do need to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further chipping, they do not usually constitute an emergency. Just be sure to book an appointment with your dentist, and be careful while eating in the meantime.
Cracked or fractured teeth are considered serious dental emergencies, however. They can mean that there has been damage to the inside of the teeth as well as the outside.
If you have a cracked or fractured tooth, call your dentist right away to make an emergency appointment. Clean your mouth out by gently rinsing with warm water, and if the fracture or crack is caused by facial trauma, apply a cold compress to the area to reduce swelling. Take acetaminophen for the pain.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Any injury to the inside of the mouth, including lacerations, puncture wounds, or tears to the lips, cheeks our tongue are considered dental emergencies. Make an appointment straight away! In the mean time, rinse out your mouth to keep it clean, and apply pressure with gauze, if possible.
Severe Infection or Abscess
Severe infections or an abscess in the mouth can actually be life-threatening, and should be dealt with right away as well.
If you are an existing patient at Alaska Avenue Dental Clinic, and are experiencing a dental emergency, contact us straight away. We’ll fit you in today, and get that smile fixed up!*
*If you are experiencing an emergency outside of office hours, go to your nearest hospital emergency room immediately.
