How To Deal With Dental Emergencies In Cambridge Ontario

By Author: Ariel Brady
Total Articles: 248
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With conscientious brushing and flossing at home and regular visits to your dentist in Cambridge most conditions that can affect your teeth and gums can be either avoided or identified and treated before they become serious.
However, there are some emergency dental conditions that you just can’t avoid. We’ve listed a few below, with advice on what to do until you can get to our office. Knowing what to do in one of these situations can make all the difference.
1. Avulsed (Completely Dislodged) Teeth
Whether it’s caused by an auto accident, a fall or sports mishap, this is among the most serious of all dental emergencies. Because the associated nerves, supporting tissues and blood vessels are all affected, it’s important to act quickly.
WHAT TO DO
Be sure someone immediately calls County Dental (or the nearest emergency dental clinic, if you’re away from home) to schedule an emergency dental appointment.
Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the tooth, and always handle it by the crown – that’s the hard, white part of the tooth that’s normally ...
... visible above the gum line. Root tissue is very delicate, and can be damaged or destroyed by handling.
Ensure that the tooth remains moist. The root tissues will die if allowed to dry out. The best way to keep the tooth moist is by gently inserting it back into its natural position in the mouth. If that’s not possible, gently wrap the tooth in a clean paper towel or lint-free cloth liberally moistened with tap water.
Cleaning – This usually does more harm that good and should be avoided if at all possible. However, if the tooth is visibly soiled you may gently rinse it with plain tap water. Forget you’re your mom said about rinsing it in milk. That’s no more effective than water and can even harm the delicate root tissues.
Pain Relief – If the pain is severe, the injured person may take an over-the-counter dose of ibuprofen. Avoid giving aspirin. An ice or cold pack may also be applied to reduce swelling.
2. Extruded (Partially Dislodged) Teeth
Even if the tooth isn’t completely dislodged, damage to the root and supporting tissue and blood vessels can still result in its loss. Prompt action will help improve the odds of saving an extruded tooth.

WHAT TO DO

Call County Dental immediately.
Try repositioning the tooth using gentle finger pressure. If it doesn’t go back into place easily, however, do not attempt to force it.
Pain medication and ice or a cold pack may be administered, as described above.
Your dentist will apply an aesthetic, clean the area around the tooth and take x-rays. Unless the x-rays detect a root fracture, treatment usually involves immobilizing the tooth with an appliance or synthetic cloth in order to allow it to heal. This will ordinarily take between a week and 10 days
3. Broken Teeth
Your teeth are remarkably hard and durable. They can, however, be chipped or broken by contact with any hard substance. Decay – even if previously treated – may also weaken a tooth, making it more susceptible to breakage.

WHAT TO DO

Once again, quick action can make all the difference, and the first step again is to contact County Dental for an emergency appointment
With freshly washed hands, collect all broken pieces and keep them moist, as described above.
Use plain, warm (not hot!) tap water to gently rinse the mouth and remove any small tooth fragments
Apply an ice or cold pack to the affected area of the cheek to reduce swelling.
4. Soft Tissue Injuries
Trauma may also injure the soft tissues of your mouth, including gums, lips, cheeks and tongue. These are delicate areas and even a relatively minor injury may result in significant pain and bleeding.

WHAT TO DO

Until you can see the dentist:
Gently rinse with plain warm water.
Apply gentle pressure to the bleeding area, using sterile gauze.
As with injuries affecting the teeth themselves, application of cold and use of non-aspirin pain relievers can be effective in reducing swelling and discomfort.
4. Unexplained Tooth or Jaw Pain
Unlike the trauma that causes dislodged or broken teeth, the cause of mouth pain may not be apparent. If it persists or worsens, however, don’t ignore it - it may be a sign of a serious problem, such as an abscess. This is a condition that, if left untreated, that can result in tooth loss and complications. A prompt visit to County Dental is imperative.

WHAT TO DO

Until you can get to the dentist, take non-aspirin pain medication.
Rinsing with plain warm water may provide temporary pain relief and reduce swelling.
Gentle rinsing or flossing may also provide relief if you suspect the pain is caused by trapped food particles.
Never ignore or try to use any form of self-medication. Visit a dentist immediately as the infection may spread. If you are in Cambridge for instance, just visit us at Country Dental and we will immediately attend to you.
COUNTY DENTAL IS HERE TO SERVE YOU
If you’re in the Cambridge, Ontario area, the professionals at County Dental are the “go to” source for your family’s dental care needs. Whether it’s for a routine checkup or one of the dental emergencies discussed above, don’t’ wait – give us a call today.

Cambridge dental emergency
Cambridge dental emergency