If you have an unexpected dental injury or have sudden and persistent tooth pain, you may be experiencing a dental emergency. Just like any other medical emergency, it is vital that you seek an emergency dentist near you as soon as possible to get the treatment you need.
You may think that a dental emergency can wait, but dental emergencies are extremely important and need to get treated just as quickly as other urgent medical issues. In addition, some dental emergencies can be life-threatening. For example, swelling in the neck and head can restrict airways.
At Vista Dental Clinic, our dentist in Scarborough is committed to helping our patients through their dental emergencies so that they don’t have to suffer unnecessarily and so that they can continue to maintain optimal oral health.
What is a Dental Emergency?
There are many situations that would constitute a dental emergency in Scarborough. In short, a dental emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention from our dentist near you. Here are some examples of common dental emergencies:
- Injuries to your mouth or teeth, such as lacerations, cracks, and breaks
- A knocked-out tooth
- Infection and swelling
- Excessive bleeding
- Persistent toothache
- A broken jaw
- A dental abscess
If you are experiencing any of the above, visit a dentist near you as soon as possible. Without treatment, these problems can progress and severely impact your overall oral health and well-being.
What Should I Do During a Dental Emergency?
The first thing you should do when experiencing a dental emergency calls your dentist. At Vista Dental Clinic, our team of dental professionals can walk you through the next steps. If it is after hours, our phone system will direct you to emergency care centers.
After assessing your condition over the phone, we will prepare for you to come into our clinic and work with you to address your dental emergency calmly and efficiently.
Can I Visit the Hospital for a Dental Emergency?
If you cannot reach a dentist, only visit the hospital if you are in extreme pain or the situation is life-threatening. If you cannot stop bleeding, are struggling to breathe, or cannot cope with the pain, visit the emergency room as soon as possible.
In other cases, wait to see a dentist. Emergency doctors cannot provide the dental work needed to address many dental problems, and you will need to visit a dentist eventually anyways.
Dental Emergency Kits
It is a good idea to have a few items on hand in your house to use in the case of a dental emergency. These items will help relieve pain and offer temporary solutions until you can visit your dentist. Your emergency kit should include:
- Tweezers
- Ibuprofen and acetaminophen
- Floss or floss sticks
- Orthodontic wax
- Mouth tape
- Vaseline
- Gauze pads
- Temporary filling material
With these items, you can perform first aid on yourself and temporarily alleviate your discomfort until you can get in to see our emergency dentist at Vista Dental Clinic.
Visit Vista Dental Clinic
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, do not hesitate to contact our team of dedicated dental professionals at Vista Dental Clinic. No matter your dental emergency, our dental team will work with you to assess the problem and provide you with the relief and treatments you need. No one should have to deal with a dental emergency alone. Visit us today!