Your Winnipeg Invisalign® Provider
Underlying oral health conditions or injuries can lead to dental emergencies. Our dentists in Winnipeg explain how to know if your dental issue is an emergency and what to do.
What is a dental emergency?
If you notice any problem with your teeth, mouth or gums that requires urgent dental treatment, this is classified as a dental emergency. Specifically, dental emergencies can include:
Broken, Chipped, or Knocked Out Tooth
While a broken or chipped tooth can usually be repaired, it will require urgent dental care. Your dentist may be able repair a chip or fracture with a filling. However, more serious breaks may need a root canal or crown.
For knocked out teeth, the dentist may be able to put the tooth back in place within about an hour of the incident. Within this time frame, the tooth will have a better chance of taking root again. After the two-hour mark, these chances decrease significantly and alternative measures will need to be considered.
Severe Toothache
Are you experiencing a toothache that can't be managed with over-the-counter pain medication? first put ice on the area and contact your dentist as soon as possible, since this is considered a dental emergency.
It's important to take toothaches seriously, as they can point to major dental issues.
Lost Filling
A lost filling is also serious as it exposes the interior of your tooth, weakening its structure. It’s important to see a dentist to have the filling replaced as soon as possible. You can protect the area until you get to the dentist by replacing the filling temporarily with a softened piece of sugarless gum.
Object Lodged Between Teeth
Objects getting lodged between the teeth can present a hazard and warrant urgent attention from your dentist. If you cannot dislodge the object with floss, do not use a sharp object to attempt to remove it yourself as this could push it further between your teeth - or injure your gums.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
If you are experiencing bleeding that can’t be quelled after biting your tongue or lip, you need to visit an emergency dental clinic. In the meantime, apply a clean cloth to the part of the mouth that’s bleeding and press down. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling, and look for urgent dental care.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a buildup of pus which forms inside the teeth or gums. This very painful condition usually develops from a bacterial infection, often within the soft pulp of the tooth or the root of the tooth. They can be caused by a cavity that’s been left untreated, severe gum disease or perhaps a chipped tooth.
Symptoms can include anything from a bad taste in your mouth to swollen glands, pain, pus or a fever. An abscessed tooth will usually need surgery to drain the infection and treat it properly. Treatment for dental abscesses can involve root canal surgery.