While we may not like it, most of us will experience a dental emergency at some point or another. Dental emergencies can happen for many reasons, from injuries to underlying health conditions. In this blog post, our Garden Oaks Dental Centre team tells you how to determine if you are experiencing a dental emergency and when to seek emergency dental services in Winnipeg.
What is a Dental Emergency?
In essence, a dental emergency is any problem with your mouth, teeth, or gums that requires urgent medical attention. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies that come to our dental office near you:
#1 Knocked-Out, Broken, or Chipped Tooth
Most of the time, a dentist will be able to repair a broken or chipped tooth, but it will require immediate attention and care. Typically, your dentist will fix the chip with a filling, whereas a broken tooth may need a dental crown.
If you have had a tooth knocked out, your dentist may be able to place it back in your mouth if you get to their office within an hour of it falling out. Keep your tooth in a shallow container of milk and only handle it by the crown until you can get to the dental clinic.
#2 Object Stuck Between Teeth
Objects getting stuck between your teeth can become serious quickly. If you cannot remove an object with floss, do not attempt to remove it using a sharper tool such as a fork or knife. Instead, visit an emergency dentist near you.
#3 Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is a buildup of pus that forms due to an infection in the teeth or gums. This is a painful condition and usually presents as a pimple-like lesion on the gums. If you notice a dental abscess, it is important to get to your dentist as soon as possible, as if this is left untreated; the infection can spread throughout your body and make you very ill. Typically, dental abscesses are treated with surgery to safely drain the infection.
#4 Severe Toothache
If you are dealing with a toothache that is causing you persistent and severe pain and interfering with your ability to go about your daily activities, then you need to get to a dental clinic in Winnipeg as soon as possible. Toothaches can signify serious oral health issues such as nerve damage or infection, so it is vital to take them seriously.
#5 Bitten Tongue or Lip
If you bite your lip or tongue hard enough to draw blood and the bleeding does not stop on its own, you should head to the nearest emergency dentist. In the meantime, apply a clean, dry cloth to the area of the mouth that is bleeding and press down, and use an ice pack to reduce your swelling and pain.
#6 Lost Filling
A lost dental filling is very serious because the tooth that the filling was protecting is now vulnerable to damage and infection. Get to a dentist as soon as possible to have the filling replaced.
Visit Garden Oaks Dental Centre
If you ever experience a dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact our dentists at Garden Oaks Dental Centre. We are happy to offer same-day appointments to get you the help you need as fast as possible.