Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency, thankfully, is rare, but can happen, particularly with children. Here are suggestions from Smile Town Dentistry in Burnaby.

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What is considered a dental emergency?

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact our office immediately.

• Swelling or fever related to a toothache
• Limited opening of mouth, difficulty in closing mouth, or difficulty in swallowing
• New dental trauma, such as a severe tooth fracture
• Intense or prolonged pain related to a tooth concern that does not lessen with painkillers
• Excess bleeding following a tooth extraction
• Severe ulcer in the oral cavity
• Broken orthodontics components that dig painfully into the gums

What are examples of other situations that may not be so urgent?

If you are concerned with any of the following, please call us at (604) 428-9633 and the urgency of the need for treatment will be evaluated on the phone.

• Mild pain that lessens with painkillers
• Pain caused by hot or cold
• Fracture in tooth or filling
• Problems with dentures or removable dental braces

What should I do in the event of a dental emergency?

CRACKED TOOTH  Immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down.

TONGUE OR LIP BITE  If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.

MILD TOOTHACHE  Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.

OBJECTS STUCK IN THE MOUTH  Gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.

FRONT TOOTH FRACTURE  Save the piece of the tooth that has broken off and take it to the dentist. It may be possible to bond the piece back in place.

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Contact Smile Town Dentistry