What Should You Do in a Dental Emergency?: If you experience severe tooth pain, swelling, significant bleeding, or a broken or knocked-out tooth, contact a dentist as soon as possible. Protect the affected area from further injury and use a cold compress if swelling is present. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, a serious facial injury, or a suspected broken jaw, seek emergency medical care.
Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, whether it is a sudden toothache, a damaged tooth while eating, or an injury to the mouth. When something goes wrong, it is not always easy to know whether you need prompt dental attention or whether the issue can wait for a regular appointment.
Knowing how to respond can help you protect your teeth and surrounding tissues while you arrange appropriate care. Different dental emergencies require different steps, so understanding what to do and what to avoid can make the situation easier to manage.
If you are experiencing an unexpected dental concern, Oxford Dental offers walk-in and emergency dentistry in Edmonton for patients who may need timely dental care.
What is considered a dental emergency?
Some oral health problems become urgent when delaying care could worsen significant pain, bleeding, infection, or an injury affecting a tooth or the surrounding tissues.
Situations that may require prompt dental attention include:
- Severe or persistent tooth pain
- Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- A badly chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
- A lost filling or crown that is causing pain or sensitivity
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Signs of a possible dental infection
- An injury involving the teeth, mouth, or jaw
Not every dental problem requires immediate treatment. For example, a small chip without pain may be less urgent than a knocked-out tooth or rapidly increasing swelling. However, symptoms can vary, so contacting a dental office is a good next step if you are unsure how quickly you should be seen.
What should I do first during a dental emergency?
Start by checking for bleeding, swelling, a displaced or damaged tooth, and any other obvious injuries.
If there is bleeding, gently rinse your mouth if needed and apply light pressure with clean gauze or a clean cloth. If swelling develops after an injury, placing a cold compress against the outside of the face may help while you arrange care. The Canadian Dental Association also provides guidance on common dental emergencies, including toothaches, broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, and mouth injuries.
When you call a dental office, describe what happened and provide as much information as you can, including:
- When the problem started
- Whether an injury occurred
- How severe the discomfort is
- Whether swelling or bleeding is present
- Whether a tooth is loose, broken, or missing
- Whether you have symptoms such as fever or difficulty swallowing
This information can help the dental team understand the situation and advise you about the next appropriate step.
What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
A knocked-out permanent tooth requires prompt dental attention.
Handle the tooth only by the portion that is normally visible above the gumline, keeping your fingers away from the root. If the tooth is dirty, rinse it gently without scrubbing it or removing any attached tissue.
For an adult permanent tooth, it may sometimes be possible to place the tooth gently back into its socket. If you cannot do this safely, place the tooth in a container of cold milk and bring it with you when you seek dental care.
Do not attempt to put a knocked-out baby tooth back into the socket.
Because timing may affect the treatment options available for a knocked-out permanent tooth, contact a dentist as soon as possible.
What should I do for a severe toothache?
Tooth pain can have several possible causes, including decay, damage to a tooth, inflammation, or infection. Because the source cannot always be identified based on symptoms alone, severe, persistent, or worsening tooth pain should be assessed by a dentist.
While you are waiting to be seen, you can:
- Gently clean around the affected tooth
- Floss carefully if you think food may be trapped between the teeth
- Place a cold pack against the outside of the cheek if swelling is present
- Follow the directions for an over-the-counter pain medication if you normally use it safely
If you use an over-the-counter pain reliever, take it according to the product directions rather than pressing aspirin or another tablet directly against the sore tooth or gum tissue. MyHealth Alberta also provides information on tooth and gum pain, including common causes and symptoms that may require more prompt attention.
Even if the pain becomes less noticeable, the underlying dental issue may still be present. A dental examination can help determine the cause and what treatment options may be appropriate.
When is dental swelling an emergency?
Swelling around a tooth or the gums can sometimes be associated with inflammation or infection. It should be assessed, particularly if the swelling is becoming larger or is accompanied by other symptoms.
Contact a dentist promptly if swelling occurs along with significant tooth pain, tenderness, fever, or a bad taste in your mouth
Seek emergency medical care if swelling is rapidly increasing or begins to affect your ability to breathe or swallow. These symptoms require immediate medical assessment.
What should I do if I chip or break a tooth?
If you chip or break a tooth, contact a dentist and explain what happened and whether you are experiencing pain or sensitivity.
If a piece of the tooth has broken off, save it if possible and bring it with you. Gently rinse your mouth with water and avoid chewing on the injured area until it can be examined.
The appropriate treatment depends on how much of the tooth is damaged and whether deeper layers of the tooth are involved. A dentist can assess the damage and discuss the treatment options available for your situation.
If the damaged tooth has a sharp edge that is irritating your cheek or tongue, try to avoid repeatedly touching the area while you arrange a dental assessment.
What should I do if a filling or crown falls out?
A lost filling or crown may leave part of the tooth exposed, which can sometimes cause sensitivity or discomfort.
Avoid chewing hard or sticky foods on the affected side of your mouth and keep the area as clean as possible. If a crown has come off, keep it somewhere safe and bring it to your dental appointment.
Do not use household glue or another non-dental adhesive to try to secure the crown yourself.
A missing filling or crown still deserves dental assessment because the uncovered tooth can sustain further damage before noticeable symptoms develop.
Can I wait to see if dental pain goes away on its own?
Minor sensitivity can sometimes be temporary, but persistent, worsening, or severe dental pain should be assessed rather than ignored.
Tooth pain by itself does not tell you what is causing the problem. It can be associated with several different dental conditions, and the appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Consider contacting a dentist sooner if the pain:
- Interferes with sleeping or eating
- Becomes increasingly intense
- Develops after an injury
- Occurs with swelling
- Is accompanied by signs of possible infection
If you need urgent dental care in North Edmonton, you can learn more about Oxford Dental’s walk-in and emergency dental services and contact the clinic to discuss your symptoms.
Should I go to a dentist or a hospital for a dental emergency?
Many problems involving the teeth can be assessed by a dentist. However, some injuries or symptoms require emergency medical attention rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Seek emergency medical care if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Significant or rapidly increasing facial or neck swelling
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- A suspected broken jaw
- A serious facial or head injury
- Loss of consciousness or other signs of a significant head injury
If you are unsure where to seek care, describe your symptoms when contacting a dental or healthcare provider so they can advise you about the appropriate next step.
How can I prepare for an unexpected dental emergency?
It is not possible to prevent every dental emergency, but a few simple precautions can help you feel more prepared if one occurs.
Keep your dental office’s contact information somewhere easy to access. If you take part in sports or other activities where the mouth could be injured, ask your dentist whether a mouthguard may be appropriate.
It is also a good idea to avoid using your teeth to open packages, cut objects, or bite down on items that could damage a tooth.
Regular dental examinations allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and identify concerns that may need attention. However, accidents and unexpected symptoms can still happen, which is why knowing how to respond can be helpful.
What should I do if I need an emergency dentist in Edmonton?
If you develop significant tooth pain, injure a tooth, experience swelling, or have another urgent dental concern, contact a dental office and explain your symptoms.
A dentist will need to assess the affected area before recommending treatment. Depending on what is causing the problem, there may be different treatment options to consider.
Oxford Dental provides walk-in and emergency dentistry for patients in North Edmonton. If you are unsure whether your dental concern requires prompt attention, contact the clinic and explain what you are experiencing so the dental team can help determine the appropriate next step.
FAQs About Dental Emergencies in Edmonton
A broken tooth should be assessed as soon as reasonably possible, especially if you have pain, sensitivity, bleeding, or a large piece of the tooth has broken away. Prompt assessment can help determine the extent of the damage and what treatment options may be available.
Mild, occasional sensitivity is not always an emergency, but sudden, severe, or persistent sensitivity may need dental assessment. Contact a dentist sooner if the sensitivity is accompanied by pain, swelling, a recent injury, or visible damage to the tooth.
It depends on your symptoms and how much of the tooth is exposed. If you have pain, sensitivity, sharp edges, or difficulty chewing, contact a dentist sooner rather than waiting for a routine visit.
If the problem occurs after regular dental office hours, protect the affected area and contact your dental clinic to check for after-hours instructions. Seek emergency medical care if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, rapidly increasing swelling, or a serious facial or head injury.
If you are experiencing tooth pain, swelling, a broken or knocked-out tooth, or another urgent dental concern, contact Oxford Dental to discuss your symptoms and learn what next steps may be appropriate for your situation.