DENTAL EMERGENCY IN PORT COQUITLAM

 

If you have pain or an emergency situation please call (604) 941-0477  and every attempt will be made to see you as soon as possible.

 

EMERGENCY FAQ’S

 

Dental emergencies are 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.

 

Sometimes teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding or biting on hard objects. In other cases, fillings, crowns and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely. If there is severe pain, it is essential to make an appointment with the dentist as quickly as possible. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health.

 

*ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS REQUIRE YOU TO SEE YOUR DENTIST SOON*

 

A toothache

Try Tylenol, Advil or Aspirin to alleviate the pain for a few hours. Please use as directed by the manufacturer. 
Do not ignore the dental pain, as this could lead to many serious complications. 
A toothache can be caused by many different reasons.

A cracked or broken tooth

The teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks and breaks. Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the pain will be extreme. Fractures, cracks and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding and biting. If a tooth has been fractured or cracked, there is no alternative but to see the dentist as quickly as possible.

Where a segment of tooth has been broken off, here are some steps that can be taken at home:

  • Call one of our dentists.
  • 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.
  • Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if there is no way to see the dentist immediately.
  • Take a pain reliever.
  • The nature of the break or fracture will limit what our  dentists are able to do. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy may be the only effective way to retain the tooth. In the case of a complete break, our dentists will usually affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure.

    Mouth sores

    Can be caused from simple pizza burns to bacterial or viral infections. Generally, a prompt visit to the dentist with some follow up will help to solve the problem.

    Broken dentures, plate or bridge

    Do not attempt to glue any of these appliances together.
See your dentist and bring all of the pieces with you.

    Lost filling or crown

    Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns generally become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying. The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits.

    If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that our dentists can reinsert it. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage. The dentist will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. Where decay is noted, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.

    Dislodged or loose teeth

    When a tooth has been dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth and attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.

    It is important to call one of our dentists immediately to make an appointment. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. Our  dentists will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy may be required.

    If you have questions or concerns about dental emergencies, please contact your dentist.

    A severely fractured tooth

    If at all able to apply soft wax on the damaged tooth you should.

    Acute jaw injury

    Your jaw may be broken, fractured or you might have dislocated it if you are unable to move your jaw, or if it hurts when you are closing your mouth normally.
You need to go to the closest emergency room and contact your dentist as well, as your bite can be permanently altered.

    Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)

    If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves and blood vessels become damaged. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.

    Here are some steps to take:

  • Call the dentist.
  • 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.
  • Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.
  • Our dentists  will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary.

    Share by: