Emergency Dentistry

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be quite frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival.

If you are suffering from severe pain, have a fractured or damaged tooth or restoration, make an appointment with your Penticton family dentist as quickly as possible. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize your health.

Knocked out Tooth

A knocked out tooth due to trauma requires prompt treatment. Placing the tooth back into its socket within an hour increases the chance of keeping the tooth.

While you wait for an appointment, here are some steps to take:

• Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
• If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
• If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.

At our dental clinic, we will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if damage is extensive the tooth may require additional treatment.

Cracked or Fractured Teeth

A cracked or fractured tooth, is often fairly painless, but it can be extremely painful if the crack extends down into the nerve. Fractures, cracks and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding or biting.

While you wait for an appointment, here are some steps to take:

• Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
• Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
• Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
• Take a topical pain reliever.

The nature of the break or fracture will determine what the dentist can do. If a fracture or crack extends into the nerve, root canal therapy may be the only effective way to retain the tooth. In other cases, fillings or crowns may be required.

Lost Filling or Crown

A crown or filling may come loose. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns commonly become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying.  The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage.

While you wait for an appointment, here are some steps to take:

• Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
• Clean the crown and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement. This can be purchased at the local pharmacy.
• If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
• DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.
• Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that the dentist can reinsert it.

At your appointment, your dentist will check the crown to see if it still fits.  If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. If decay is noted, a new crown may be required.

Toothache & Extreme Pain

A severe toothache or extreme tooth pain may be an indicator of infection, decay, or another serious dental issue that may require immediate attention. Our Penticton family dentists can aid you at any time with a variety of services to alleviate a toothache or extreme pain.

If you’re suffering from a toothache, contact your dentist immediately. Our Penticton team will be happy to arrange an appointment to assess and discuss treatment solutions.

If you are in pain or experiencing a dental emergency, contact the office to arrange an appointment at your earliest convenience. We make every effort to see and care for you as soon as possible in case of a dental emergency situation.