Category: Dental Emergencies

Very often when a wisdom tooth is erupting into the mouth a small flap of gum tissue forms behind the tooth that traps food and bacteria and thus sets up a condition for a dental infection. Rinse with salt water or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide diluted half and half with water. Gently clean the area with a tooth brush and contact your dentist. There may also be dental decay or a cyst in the area which will need immediate attention.

One of the more common dental emergencies that we see at Westbrook Dental Centre is that of a traumatized tooth.

There are a variety of situations that can occur and this is some information to help you out:

• Broken tooth

If you break a piece of tooth off it will more than likely be very sharp. Either cover the broken section with some soft wax or a small piece of gum and call your dentist to book an appointment as soon as possible.

• Knocked out tooth

Occasionally patients knock a tooth out. If this happens, acting quickly is the most important thing that you can do. Very gently clean off the tooth and put the knocked out tooth carefully inside your mouth next to the cheek, or place the tooth into a cup with some plain milk in it. Call the dental office right away and explain the situation.

• “Dislocated” tooth

Sometimes the tooth is hit in such a way that its position is changed. For small children they sometimes have a fall bumping the tooth and knocking it back and causing bleeding. If this happens, try to reposition the tooth gently back into position and then call the dental office for an emergency visit.

• Lost filling or crown 

In this situation keep the area as clean as possible, do not eat on the tooth, and call the office for an appointment as soon as possible

If you have any of the following problems after oral surgery, call your dentist or oral surgeon right away:

• if you are bleeding a lot and it has been four hours, or longer, since your surgery
• if you have the feeling that you are going to throw up (nausea)
• if you are throwing up (vomiting)
• if you have a fever
• if you have pain that does not get any better, and it has been one full day (or longer) since your surgery
• if your swelling is still getting worse, and it has been two days (or longer) since your surgery

Your dentist or oral surgeon will tell you exactly what to do.