Sometimes you can wait for months for your next dentist appointment. And sometimes, you can’t wait another day to get into the office. Read ahead to learn the most common dental emergencies and what you should do if you ever have the misfortune to experience one.
Toothaches
Toothaches can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. They can make it hard to eat, drink, talk and sleep. While taking an anti-inflammatory and pressing an icepack to your cheek will give you some relief, it won’t resolve the problem — this is because toothaches are symptoms of larger problems.
Here are a few common causes:
- Tooth decay
- Growing wisdom teeth
- Sinus infections
- Hidden chips/breaks
You should contact our emergency dentist in Hamilton to help you find the underlying cause of your toothache. Once we find out why you’re having this painful reaction, we can direct you toward the best solution to resolve it.
Chips and Breaks
A chipped or broken tooth is often the result of a facial injury. It can also happen after you bite down on something hard (for example, a peach pit) or grind your teeth too aggressively.
If you chip or break your tooth, you should book a dentist appointment as soon as possible. To get some relief, take an anti-inflammatory painkiller and place an icepack on your cheek.
Some people don’t notice when they’ve chipped or broken a tooth right away. If you’re not sure, what are some signs that you have one?
- Pain when you bite down.
- Pain when you put pressure on the side of your face.
- Feeling a sharp or uneven surface when you run your tongue over your teeth.
- Gum irritation.
Even if you don’t feel much pain, you’ll want to address the problem immediately. Ignoring a broken tooth could lead to infection and further damage.
What about how it looks? If you’re concerned about the appearance of your teeth after chips and breaks, you should examine our various cosmetic dentistry services to see which treatment options interest you. We can help you regain confidence in your smile again.
Lost Tooth
You should always call the dentist when you lose a tooth. You should also make the call when you notice that a tooth is loose. The right dental treatment could stop it from dislodging completely.
What would make you lose a tooth as an adult?
- Injury.
- Periodontal disease.
- Teeth grinding.
- Certain medical conditions (for example, osteoporosis).
If you do lose a tooth, don’t worry. You don’t have to live with a gap for the rest of your life. You can get a dental implant to replace what you lost. Dentistry on 7th has the expertise and the technology to perform dental implant surgery on our patients so that they can feel comfortable with their smiles again.
Getting a dental implant isn’t just a cosmetic fix. It has lots of practical benefits, like making it easier to chew your food and preventing your other teeth from shifting.
When Children Lose Their Teeth:
Losing a tooth is not necessarily an emergency with children. Children start to lose their baby teeth typically when they are around 6 or 7 years old. Usually, the front teeth come in first. Then, the lateral incisors, first molars, canines and second molars will come in.
The adult tooth pushes up against the root of the baby tooth, making it become “loose.” You shouldn’t need to pull it out. Letting your child wiggle the tooth will help it come free with minimal pain and bleeding. Then, you can consult the tooth fairy about what to do next.
As a parent, you should know that there are certain scenarios when you should be concerned about your child having a loose/lost tooth:
- If they’ve already lost their baby teeth.
- If they’ve recently been injured.
- If you notice that they’re experiencing symptoms like pain, swelling and fever.
You don’t want to brush off these scenarios. These are times when you should visit our pediatric dentist. Click here to learn the basic signs you need an emergency pediatric dentist so that you know what to do when something goes wrong.
Lost Filling or Crown
If you lose a dental filling or crown, you should call the dentist right away. They will try to get you an appointment as soon as possible to replace the filling/crown and address any related problems.
Keep the fallen-out filling/crown in a sandwich bag or plastic container. You can give it to your dentist at the clinic. They might be able to reuse it.
Before you get to your appointment, you will want to do your best to protect your tooth. Without the filling/crown in place, it’s going to be vulnerable to bacteria and damage. Here are some things that you can do:
- Gargle with warm saltwater.
- When brushing your teeth, go over the area very gently.
- Don’t chew on that side of your mouth. And avoid foods that are hard, chewy, very hot or very cold.
- You can use dental wax or chewed sugarless gum to cover up a missing filling.
What Is the Difference Between Fillings and Crowns?
Fillings are usually reserved for small amounts of decay, while crowns are usually reserved for larger amounts of decay or physical damage. When you get a filling, your dentist removes the decay from your tooth, cleans out the cavity and then fills it with a specific material like gold, silver amalgam, resin or porcelain. When you get a crown, your dentist shaves down your natural tooth and puts a protective cap (“crown”) over it.
What Would Cause You to Lose a Filling or Crown?
There are several things that could make you lose dental fillings or crowns:
- Injury.
- Tooth decay.
- Grinding your teeth.
- Biting into hard, sticky foods (for example, caramels).
- Skipping the dentist. Fillings and crowns aren’t permanent. They require upkeep and replacements. So, if you haven’t been to the dentist for a long stretch, you increase your risk of losing them.
If you’re dealing with a dental emergency, don’t panic. Dentistry on 7th can help you. Give us a call, and we’ll get you through this.