Have you ever wondered what situations require a visit to an emergency dentist?nbsp;
Many people struggle to distinguish between urgent dental issues and those that can be safely addressed the next day.
In this guide, we’ll help you identify what qualifies as a dental emergency and what to do while you travel to see our dentist at Auburn Bay Dental Clinic.
Key Takeaways: Immediate Steps for Common Dental Emergencies
- Falls are the most common cause of dental injuries overall, but car accidents are more likely to hurt baby teeth.
- If your tooth breaks, save the pieces, apply a cold compress to reduce swelling, and cover sharp edges with dental wax or temporary filling until you see a dentist.
- Emergency dentistry refers to any urgent problem with the teeth or surrounding tissues that requires prompt treatment to prevent damage to appearance.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Serious conditions that need immediate attention. However, not all dental emergencies are that extreme. An emergency can also mean any issue with the teeth or surrounding tissues that needs quick action to avoid further problems with health, function, or appearance.
Pain is the most common reason people seek emergency dental care.
When handling an emergency, the first step is to address immediate issues like pain or bleeding. After that, the SE dentist will decide on the next steps based on the type of emergency. These cases fall into three main categories: traumatic, infectious, and post-treatment complications.
Category | Common Causes | Examples | Risks if Untreated |
Traumatic | Falls, sports injuries, traffic accidents, and physical violence | – Tooth fractures – Luxations (tooth displacement) – Avulsions (knocked-out teeth) | Lead to infection through bacterial invasion |
Infectious | Dental caries, poor oral hygiene, and untreated decay | – Pulpitis – Periodontitis – Periapical/periodontal abscess – Necrotizing periodontal disease – Pericoronitis | Spread to deep neck spaces, brain, or airway—can become life-threatening |
Post-Procedural | Surgical procedures, bleeding disorders, and anticoagulants | – Post-extraction bleeding (lasting >8–12 hrs) – Alveolar osteitis (“dry socket”) | Severe bleeding, hematoma, airway compromise, prolonged pain and delayed healing |
Most Common Dental Emergencies and How to Handle Them
Different types of dental emergencies require different approaches before you seek help from a Calgary emergency dentist. The most important thing is to stay calm and follow these steps.
Traumatic
Occur as a result of direct or indirect impact on the teeth or surrounding tissues. Falls, sports accidents, traffic collisions, or physical assaults cause these injuries.
Falls are the leading cause of dental trauma overall, while motor vehicle accidents affect baby teeth (primary dentition). Sports-related dental injuries are common among teenagers, whereas dental trauma from physical violence is frequently seen in young adults between the ages of 21 and 25.
Tooth Fracture or Broken Teeth
- If part of your tooth breaks off, try to find the missing tooth or pieces, as our dentist at Auburn Bay Dental Clinic may be able to reattach it.
- Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and ease pain.
- Use dental wax or a temporary filling to protect your mouth.
- Even if the pain stops or the bleeding slows after chipped or broken teeth, get professional care to fix the tooth and prevent infection.
Tooth Displacement
- Try to reposition the tooth by gently guiding it back into place, using the nearby teeth for alignment. Don’t force if the tooth won’t move back; it may be blocked by a bone fragment or misalignment.
- Don’t worry if you can’t reposition the tooth, as some injuries, especially when the tooth is pushed into the socket, are difficult to manage without a dentist.
- Multiple loose teeth moving together may indicate a fractured jawbone or damaged socket.
- As you seek emergency dental treatment, stabilize the tooth during transport by holding it in place with gentle finger pressure, biting down gently on a clean gauze or a handkerchief, or using aluminum foil to create a makeshift splint if needed.
Knocked Out Tooth
- Find the tooth
- Baby tooth:
- Apply clean gauze to the socket for 15 minutes to stop bleeding.
- Do not reinsert the tooth. See a dentist to check for damage.
- Permanent tooth:
- Apply clean gauze to control bleeding.
- Continue with the steps below.
- Baby tooth:
- Rinse the tooth gently by holding it by the top (crown)—not the root. Use tap water only, and do not scrub the tooth.
- Gently place it back in the socket by biting gently on gauze or a wet tea bag to keep it in place. If socket placement isn’t possible:
- Older child/adult: Hold the tooth inside the mouth (cheek or under tongue).
- Young child: Place the tooth in milk. If milk isn’t available, use tap water or a tooth-preserving solution (like Hank’s or Save-A-Tooth).
- Avoid: Salt water, alcohol, or mouthwash.
- Go seek the nearest hospital emergency department if no dental emergency clinic is available.
Infectious
Infectious dental emergencies start as small, treatable problems. If not treated properly, the infection can spread to deeper areas of the face, neck, or even the brain and lead to serious, life-threatening conditions.
Most dental infections begin with tooth decay (dental caries), which affects nearly all adults at some point.
Good oral hygiene, managing health risks, and treating issues early can prevent most dental infections and stop them from becoming dangerous.
Severe Toothache due to Abscessed Tooth
- Rinse with Salt Water: To ease the pain of the affected tooth, and may reduce infection.
- Use a Cold Compress: Lower swelling and provide relief from severe pain.
- Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine: Manage pain until you see a dentist.
Quick Tip: Contact an emergency dentist in Calgary immediately. Swollen gums, constant pain, or a bad taste in your mouth might be signs of a dental abscess. Getting treated early can prevent bigger problems and speed up healing.
Post-Procedural
Post-procedural dental emergencies most commonly include post-extraction bleeding and dry socket (alveolar osteitis). This occurs when bleeding continues for more than 8 to 12 hours after a tooth extraction. A dry socket occurs when the blood clot at the extraction site is lost or fails to form, exposing the underlying bone.
Note: Bleeding can also be due to soft tissue injury.
Bleeding
- Bite down firmly on a clean, folded gauze pad placed over the extraction site. Keep the pressure for 30–45 minutes. If the gauze gets soaked, replace it with a fresh one.
- If bleeding doesn’t stop, use a damp tea bag instead. Tea contains tannic acid, which clots blood. Place the tea bag over the area and bite down gently for 30 minutes.
- Apply an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 15–20 minutes. This helps control swelling and bleeding.
- Seek emergency dental services.
Alveolar Osteitis
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water) several times a day. Avoid vigorous rinsing or spitting.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek for 15 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
Other Dental Emergencies
- Losing a filling or dental crown causes tooth pain and sensitivity, so see a dentist quickly. Leaving it untreated can expose nerves, make eating and drinking uncomfortable, and increase the risk of infection or damage.
- Having something stuck between your teeth can cause pain if not dealt with quickly. Try gently removing it with floss or an interdental brush, but don’t use too much force. If you can’t get it out, seek emergency care.
Save a Tooth, Contact Auburn Bay Dental Clinic
Dental emergencies occur unexpectedly. In any urgent case, reaching out to an emergency dentist promptly can reduce pain, save time, and protect your teeth. Acting quickly and receiving proper treatment can prevent complications and keep your smile healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during an emergency dental visit?
You will need to fill out paperwork and provide your insurance information, similar to a regular appointment. When the exam begins, the dentist will ask about your problem and how much pain you’re in. The first step is taking an X-ray of the affected area. After the X-ray, you will wait briefly while the dentist reviews the images. The dentist will examine your mouth and might give you a pain-relieving injection if your pain is severe. They will focus on the problem area and discuss their recommendations with you.
Should I go to the emergency medical care for dental pain?
If you have severe dental pain, the emergency room can provide temporary relief, such as pain medication. However, emergency rooms are not equipped to fully treat dental problems. For lasting solutions and proper care, see a qualified dentist as soon as possible.
How can I prevent a dental emergency?
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities.
- Avoid biting on hard items
- Use scissors instead of your teeth to cut objects.
- Always practice dental hygiene to avoid dental abscesses or tooth pain.
