Emergencies

Likely caused by the death of a nerve inside the tooth or a gum infection. Untreated, an abscess could be life threatening. Antibiotics/pain killers may be prescribed.

Tears, cuts or punctures inside the cheeks, lips or tongue. Clean and treat immediately in an urgent care centre or emergency department. Stop bleeding in soft tissues including tongue by cleaning area with running water and then compressing the injured area with gauze or cotton wool for five minutes. If necessary pull tongue forward.

If a tooth is pushed inward or outward, reposition to normal alignment with light finger pressure. Do not force. Use a moist cloth or gauze to hold tooth in place. See a dentist within 30 minutes of injury.

Minor fractures may be smoothed by a dentist using a sandpaper disc. Moderate to severe fractures may require more extensive treatment. Try to find broken piece of tooth, place it in a glass of water and bring to the dentist. It may be possible to re-attach it to the tooth using a dental adhesive filling material.

If the mouth ulcer doesn’t heal within 10 days, see a dentist. Don’t put aspirin near the ulcer. A pharmacist can recommend a topical aesthetic to reduce discomfort.

If causing pain, take an over-the-counter pain medication until you can see your dentist. Don’t delay. Brush and floss to remove impacted foods; eat soft foods.

Toothache or tooth pain is caused when the nerve root of a tooth is irritated. It can be very painful if not properly treated.

Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it. Apply a cold compress. Use floss to remove any food trapped between teeth. Apply cold compress. Do not put heat or aspirin on the aching area. Avoid very cold or hot foods because they may make the pain worse.

Call dentist on call to schedule a dental appointment.