Most people, when they experience dental pain, opt to see if they can wait it out rather than call their dentist for an emergency appointment. If the pain is not severe and there is no injury to your teeth or mouth, you may be able to correct the problem yourself with proper care.
Start by cleaning the area that aches thoroughly. You could have a small piece of food, such as an apple peel or popcorn hull, stuck between your tooth and your gum. Rinse your mouth thoroughly and take an over the counter pain reliever. If the pain goes away and you’re feeling comfortable, you may be able to watch the area to make sure it heals. If the pain worsens, you may need to call an emergency dentist.
Here are several scenarios for common dental pain and how you should handle them:
If you bite your tongue, cheek, or lip, chances are it is a small injury. If it is bleeding do your best to stop it and then ice the area to prevent swelling. If you can’t stop the bleeding with pressure after fifteen minutes, go to the emergency room.
If you break or chip one of your teeth, rinse with warm water and try to find the broken bit of your tooth. Call you dentist’s emergency number and get in as soon as possible. Your dentist may be able to save your tooth.
If you wear braces or orthodontics and they break, cover any sharp or protruding areas with wax so you don’t do more damage to the inside of your mouth. If you are not in pain, you can simply call your dentist during regular hours but if you are in pain you should call your dentist’s emergency number right away.
If you think your jaw has been broken, use a towel or handkerchief to hold your mouth and chin closed. Get to an emergency room as soon as possible. An emergency dentist will most likely need to send you to the ER anyway.
If you knocked out one of your teeth, do you best to find the tooth. Rinse it and try to place it back in your mouth. If it won’t go in, put it in milk or water. Either way, call your dentist’s emergency number. If you get in soon enough, they may be able to save the tooth.
When you’re in severe pain it’s best to not take any chances. Call your dentist and get in to be evaluated as soon as possible. You can call The Dental Centre 24 hours a day at 855-720-1824. If you have an emergency, we will do everything we can to get you seen as soon as possible.