Staying calm takes a potentially chaotic situation and mitigates more drama by keeping it simple. Whether you see a dentist in Edmonton or a dental clinic in Edmonton, you should know how to seek proper help for dental emergencies and how to prepare.
When we think of dental emergencies, we often think of traumatic injuries to the tissues in the mouth. This could include cuts, scrapes, tears, bruising, and broken or knocked-out teeth. While these may seem like priority concerns – and they often are – a dentist should not be sought until any concerns of head injury have been eliminated. Still, traumatic injuries are only half the story where it comes to dental emergencies.
Infection
Many dental emergencies begin with tooth pain when there doesn’t seem to be a reason for one. The toothache builds until the pain is untouched by medication and the discomfort is intolerable. This is usually the point at which a patient realizes that they have a dental emergency on their hands – a dental infection.
An emergency dental clinic is required if you are away from your regular dentist or if it is outside of office hours. So, the first step is to search for “emergency dentist near me” on your smartphone. In non-emergent situations, you could apply the same principle by using search terms like: “dentist in South Edmonton” to find a dentist near you if you needed one.
When you contact your emergency dentist for an emergency appointment, you should be ready to tell the receptionist what your symptoms are. Be sure to mention any swelling, redness, pain, and any sour or bitter taste. If you have any pustules on your gums, you should mention this right away. This is a clear indication of dental infection and could require teeth extraction, root canal therapy or even wisdom teeth removal.
Can An Emergency Dentist Perform a Root Canal?
An emergency dentist is really a general dentist who specializes in emergencies or is working late hours to ensure coverage of patient needs. Emergency dentists are qualified to perform all the procedures listed above and will refer patients for further treatment in limited circumstances. MacEwan Dental is your dentist in Edmonton if you experience a dental emergency in south Edmonton. Just need a dental checkup? We do that, too.
Broken or Knocked-out Teeth
These injuries are what most of us think of as dental emergencies – hockey game knockouts and baseball mishaps, for example. Many of these injuries can be prevented or mitigated by wearing appropriate protective equipment for the sport we’re playing, but in the end, there are always going to be emergency situations that arise as a result of just going about your day. Walking down an icy driveway, tripping on a stair or industrial accidents that occur when you least expect them are what make up a good portion of emergency dental visits.
If you or someone you know experiences a dental emergency, the first thing to do is have someone get a First Aid Kit while you assess the injury. You should always carry a stocked kit in your vehicle and in your home, and employees should know where the nearest kit is at all times. If you use items in your kit, it is important to replace them as soon as possible to ensure that it is available for use once again.
If the tooth has been knocked out, find it and rinse it clean without touching the root end. Tuck it in the cheek pocket of the injured person to keep it hydrated and most likely to be successfully replaced. For bleeding, roll a clean piece of gauze into a log shape, and lay the ‘log’ crossways over the tooth gap. Instruct the injured person to bite down gently, with just enough pressure to encourage the bleeding to stop.
Teeth fragments should be collected and treated the same as knocked-out teeth. Sometimes, the dentist is able to bond fragments back to the natural tooth. It is a good idea to keep in mind that seeing an emergency dentist within half an hour of knockouts gives it its best chance of being successfully restored.
After you have seen an emergency dentist in Edmonton or outside of it, you should book your follow-ups with your regular dentist unless otherwise directed. This allows your care to continue with a dentist you already know and trust – and together you can partner to identify the next steps that are right for you and your oral health goals. If you typically seek biological dentistry in Edmonton, seeing a traditional emergency dentist when necessary is important to minimize the impact on your oral and systemic health.
Dental Emergency and Covid
It is helpful to note that covid regulations have restricted the number of patients and staff who can be present in the clinical space at one time. You may experience an increased scarcity of appointments as a result. If you have a dental emergency, find a clinic who can accommodate you as soon as possible.
