How to Handle a Dental Emergency: What to Do Before Seeing a Dentist?

Dental emergencies

What do you do when you unexpectedly experience a toothache, a broken tooth or bleeding gums? If you have a dental emergency in Port Coquitlam, you probably have a lot of anxiety going through your mind. A dentist tells us why you should take action quickly, right after the dental accident, to protect your smile from damage.

What Counts as a Dental Emergency?

Not all dental problems need urgent treatment, but there are some that do. An actual dental emergency refers to a situation where one feels severe pain or bleeding from their gums or…

Common dental emergencies include:

  • Severe toothache or swelling
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Cracked or broken teeth
  • Bleeding gums that won’t stop
  • Injuries to the lips, tongue, or jaw
  • Abscess or infection causing pain or swelling

Try to stay calm if you’re having any of these problems, and make sure to reach a dentist in Port Coquitlam asap.

What‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ to Do Before You See the Dentist

When they happen, you can do a few things in a very short time to control the pain and protect your teeth until you get a professional check.

  1. For Knocked-Out Teeth in Dental Emergencies
  • Do not touch the root; hold the tooth by the crown.
  • If it is contaminated, rinse it gently with water; do not scrub it.
  • Carefully try to insert the tooth back into its socket.
  • If you cannot, put it in your saliva and visit a dentist as soon as ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌possible.

2. For Emergency Broken Tooth Repair.

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water
  • Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
  • Save any broken pieces of the tooth
  • Avoid chewing on that side of the mouth

3. For Severe Toothache

  • Rinse with warm salt water to clean the area
  • Use a cold pack on the cheek for pain relief
  • Do not place aspirin on the tooth—it will irritate the gum

4. For Bleeding or Soft Tissue Injuries

  • Rinse gently with cold water
  • Apply gauze or a clean cloth with light pressure
  • Don’t delay, go down to the emergency room immediately

5. For Lost Fillings or Crowns.

  • To protect the exposed area, use dental wax or sugar-free gum.
  • Avoid eating on that side until it is repaired.

When is Emergency Tooth Extraction Needed?

Sometimes, the only option left is to get a tooth extracted. When tooth decay is extremely severe, a tooth may require an extensive extraction. This will help reduce pain and infection.

Signs you may need one include.

  • Sharp, persistent pain in one tooth.
  • Swelling in the gums or jaw.
  • Visible decay or infection.
  • Difficulty chewing or biting.

Quick treatment helps with your teeth and gums, and the procedure is painless.

How a Dentist Helps During a Dental Emergency

When you go to the dentist’s dental clinic, the dentist will check your mouth, do X-rays if need be and choose the treatment. Depending on the situation, they may perform.

We can use bonding, veneers, or crowns to fix it.

  • Tooth reimplantation for knocked-out teeth.
  • Drainage or antibiotics for infections.
  • Temporary or permanent fillings for cavities.

In case the problem is serious, your dentist near you will schedule you for a follow-up visit.

How to Prevent Future Dental Emergencies

Accidents do not know the time, but a few habits can help you.

  • Wear a mouthguard while playing sports.
  • Avoid chewing hard foods, ice, or pens.
  • Brush and floss daily to keep teeth strong.
  • Regularly visit your nearby dentist for a dental checkup and cleaning.

Ready to Get Relief Fast?

A dental emergency will not turn out to be one if dealt with efficiently and promptly. Contact Poco Comfort Dentistry today for gentle, same-day emergency care and protect your smile with trusted, professional treatment. Schedule an appointment today.

Visit us today! Find Poco Comfort Dentistry on Google Maps.

FAQs.

What should I do if my tooth gets knocked out?

In case you keep it moist in milk or saline, and you can see a dentist within 30 minutes, it can be saved.

Can I use ice for swelling?

Keep ice on the outer side of your cheek for ten to fifteen minutes.

How do I stop bleeding after a tooth injury?

The gauze should cover the area, while pressure should be applied and the area elevated.

Is a cracked tooth always an emergency?

Not always. Small cracks may not need urgent care, but deeper ones reaching the nerve require immediate dental treatment.

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