When it comes to dental emergencies, it is always best to be prepared. While we don’t want them to happen, a dental emergency can occur at any moment, and the best way to lower your stress and manage your anxiety around the situation is to have a plan in place to visit a qualified emergency dentist near you. In this blog post, our team at Artis Dental Centre provides you with all the information you need to know to deal with a dental emergency calmly and effectively.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
It can be tough to determine what counts as a dental emergency and what can wait for an appointment. Many people experience oral pain or discomfort from time to time, but what differentiates a dental emergency is the severity and consistency of the pain. A good rule of thumb is any pain that is causing a severe disruption to your life should be considered a dental emergency. Here is a list of the most common types of dental emergencies that we see at our dental clinic near you:
- Tooth Loss- when a tooth gets knocked out of your mouth, it is important that you seek emergency dental care. A knocked-out tooth can be placed back in your mouth if brought to a dentist quickly enough. If you ever experience a knocked-out tooth, try to locate the tooth. Handling it only by the crown, gently rinse the tooth and place it in a shallow container of milk to keep it moist. Get to a dentist as soon as possible to have it placed back in your mouth.
- Broken or chipped tooth- a broken or chipped tooth can quickly turn into a dental emergency. A chip can make your tooth more vulnerable to breakage, and eventually result in tooth loss. If you notice a break or chip in a tooth, contact a dentist in North Vancouver as soon as you can.
- Abscessed tooth- an dental abscess is a very serious dental emergency because if left untreated, infection can spread to other parts of the body. Dental abscesses often look like a pimple on the gum line, and while they may be tempting to pop, ensure that you don’t. Instead make your way to a dentist near you.
These are just some of the dental emergencies that our patients have visited us with. If you are unsure if you are experiencing a dental emergency, the best thing to do is contact our office and speak with our team for further information.
What is the Role of an Emergency Dentist?
An emergency dentist is able to diagnose the underlying issue causing your pain. For example, a persistent toothache could be due to a cavity, or due to a crack in your enamel. The only way to know for sure is to get an evaluation from an emergency dentist in North Vancouver.
When you first visit an emergency dentist, they will ask you some questions about what is causing your pain or discomfort. They will then perform an evaluation of your mouth, which may include a visual examination along with radiographs. After this, they will talk to you about any problems they found and work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your needs.
Some treatment options may include:
- Dental fillings- if you have a cavity, then you may just need a simple dental filling to alleviate your pain. There are many options for filling materials, and your dentist will choose the best filling for you.
- Tooth extraction- if you have a severely infected or damaged tooth, your dentist may need to pull it out to ensure the overall wellbeing of your oral health.
- Dental crown- if you have a chipped or cracked tooth, your dentist may opt to place a dental crown over the tooth to protect it from further damage and sensitivity.
Regardless of the treatment option, your dentist will work with you to ensure you feel completely safe, comfortable, and knowledgeable, before moving ahead.
Tips for Staying Calm During a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies are scary, but they are often treatable and more common than one may believe. Here are some of our tips for staying calm while awaiting treatment:
- Take deep breaths- before you can panic, ground yourself and take control of the situation by taking some deep breaths. This will allow your body to calm down and give you a moment to evaluate the situation with a rational mind.
- Access the severity of the situation- if you are able to use a mirror to evaluate your mouth, now is the time to do so. Is there a crack in your tooth, did it fall out?
- Clean your mouth or store your tooth safely- if you notice a knocked-out tooth, make sure that you clean it and store it safely. Additionally, clean out your mouth with a warm salt water rinse to ease your pain and wash away any blood.
- Call your dentist- after you have a good understanding of what the dental emergency is, contact your dentist. They can guide you through the next steps to take until you can reach their office for an evaluation.
Visit Artis Dental Centre
At Artis Dental Centre, we understand that dental emergencies can be painful, stressful, and debilitating. We do everything we can to ensure that your dental experience is as positive and stress-free as possible.
If you are ever in need of the services of an emergency dentist in North Vancouver, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Artis Dental Centre. We are happy to offer high-quality dental services to all those who require it. For more information about dental emergencies, please get in touch with us. We look forward to helping you maintain excellent oral health for years to come.