Let’s face it: unexpected dental emergencies are scary. You might be unsure what to do next when faced with unexpected bleeding, pain, or infection.
In the case of a dental emergency, don’t panic. Next, contact Chiu Dental or another 24-hour clinic immediately. We’ll discuss your condition, provide guidance, and book an appointment as soon as possible. Once your appointment is booked, there are several small steps you can take to help manage your pain or ensure that your emergency dental appointment goes according to plan. In this post, we’ll go over what you can do to prepare for your appointment with your emergency dentist.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Generally speaking, if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms or problems, we would consider this a dental emergency:
- Infections
- Facial or gum swelling
- Pain in the jaw or gums
- Broken or knocked-out teeth
- Uncontrollable bleeding
What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency?
If you or a family member in the Kitchener and Waterloo area is experiencing a dental emergency, immediately contact our 24-hour dental office. No matter what time of day, we are ready to help you. Outside of our regular office hours, we offer over-the-phone triaging. Call 1-888-757-9361, and we will help you receive care as soon as possible.
What Can I Do Before My Emergency Dental Appointment?
While you wait for your appointment with your emergency dentist, you can take some steps to manage pain, minimize infection, and ensure that your problem does not escalate. Let’s break down some short-term solutions to infections, toothaches, and broken teeth.
Infections
If you suspect you have a tooth infection, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to help manage the pain. In addition, we recommend rinsing with salt water.
Toothaches
For a severe toothache, consider using topical anesthetics, available over the counter at your local drugstore.
Broken Teeth
When it comes to broken teeth, the important part is not disturbing the fractured tooth. Avoid touching it or eating anything near the break, both of which can lead to bigger problems later on.
With broken or shattered teeth, seeing an emergency dentist as soon as possible is important.
Knocked-Out Teeth
If your whole tooth has fallen out, immediately store it in milk or a saltwater solution and get to a dentist as soon as possible. If you handle your tooth properly and get an appointment quickly enough, your dentist may be able to put your tooth back in.
If a crown, retainer, or other restoration falls out or becomes dislodged, store it in a safe and clean place and contact your dentist to have it reattached.
Chiu Dental: Your 24-Hour Emergency Dentist in Waterloo and Kitchener
If you have a dental emergency, our team will do our best to schedule you for a same-day appointment. Call (519) 884-0887 if you are contacting us within our working hours. If you are calling outside our regular working hours, please call 1-888-757-9361. Our on-call dentist can advise you over the phone and help you stay as comfortable as possible until you can see a dentist.