What to do in case of a dental emergency

At Boisson Dental Group, we provide emergency dental services  and will try to make ourselves available as soon as possible should  a patient need urgent care. Examples of dental emergencies include bad toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, injuries to the jaw, damaged metal bracket braces, or injuries to the gums, soft tissues or teeth. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, it’s best to seek dental care as soon as you can for the best chance of preserving the tooth and/or minimizing damage. If you are bleeding profusely and cannot control the bleeding with a gauze pad, it’s best to go to the hospital or call 911 immediately. Most of the time, dental emergencies can be handled with some first aid and quick care from a dentist. Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can help you to stay calm during the situation and address the issue as effectively as possible.

First of all, try not to panic. If you or a loved one are hurt or in pain it can understandably be overwhelming. However, keeping a clear head and following the appropriate steps is your best bet at saving the tooth. If a tooth has been knocked out, locate the tooth and place it in a glass of milk until you can get to the dentist. Keep a gauze pad on the area to help stop the bleeding. The milk will keep the tooth from drying out. Likewise, if your tooth is chipped, save any all pieces and give them to your dentist. If the broken tooth was caused by a head injury, it may be advisable to go to the hospital to be checked for signs of concussion.

If you have a bad toothache, it’s best to place cold on the site rather than heat. Pain relievers such as advil or tylenol may help temporarily, but the pain is likely caused by infection, deep decay or impaction and will not resolve on its own. Seek dental care as soon as possible.

If a filling is lost, simply place a piece of sugar free gum in the area where the filling used to be until you can be seen by a dentist. If metal bracket braces are broken or have protruding wires, place a piece of orthodontic wax over the sharp area to keep your gums and cheeks safe from injury.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency in the Grande Prairie area, contact us right and explain the situation as calmly as you can. We will do our best to get you in for treatment as soon as we can.