What to do in a dental emergency
It can be hard to know whether a dental problem is an emergency. Not every problem needs immediate care, but knowing what counts as an emergency can save your tooth and, in rare cases, protect your health. If you are not sure, call us at 416-364-2444.
Dental injuries
A fall, car accident, sports injury or work accident can fracture, loosen, knock out or push a tooth out of place in seconds. Your gums, cheeks or tongue may also be cut. These injuries all need to be seen by a dentist, so call us for an emergency appointment as soon as possible.
Saving a knocked-out tooth
If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently if it is dirty, and try to put it back in its socket, or keep it in milk. If the tooth is likely to be lost, see a dentist within 30 minutes of the injury for the best chance of saving it.
Bleeding
If injuries to your gums, cheeks or tongue are bleeding heavily, do not wait. See a dentist right away, or go to the nearest emergency room to have them stitched or treated. If your gums bleed without an injury, you may have gum disease. It needs treatment, but it is not usually an emergency.
Severe tooth pain
Tooth pain is a sign that something is wrong. If the pain stops you sleeping, eating or concentrating, book an emergency appointment so we can find the cause and treat it.
Abscess or infection
If you notice swelling or an abscess around a tooth, or a fever along with mouth pain, contact us or the nearest emergency dentist immediately. An infection can spread and become a serious health problem if it is not treated.
Other common emergencies
- A lost filling or crown: keep the crown and avoid chewing on that side
- A cracked or chipped tooth: rinse with warm water and keep any pieces
- Something stuck between your teeth: floss gently, and never use a sharp object
