Dental Emergencies in Little Italy Toronto.

Emergencies can happen at inconvenient hours. The dental office may be closed, or you don’t have private transportation. That’s why it helps to prepare and know what to do in case you or a family member is ever caught in a dental emergency.

At Little Italy Dentistry in Toronto, ON, we provide dental emergency services even if you aren’t an existing patient. Contact us today to see a dentist right away.

If you’re far from home, consider seeing a trusted dentist nearby immediately. Waiting until you return home may cause your discomfort or any pain to worsen, and it may also compromise your oral health.

Tips For Handling Common Dental Emergencies

• Severe toothaches. Some toothaches are manageable at home, while others require immediate attention. If the pain is severe and persistent, see your dentist as soon as possible. Take note of your symptoms and share them with your dentist. While waiting for your appointment, maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent complications. Don’t apply a pain reliever or aspirin directly to the tooth. You may take over-the-counter medication as recommended by your dentist and apply a cold compress outside of the cheek to ease swelling and discomfort.
• Knocked out tooth. If you can find the tooth, try to put it back in its socket. But be careful. Hold it in the crown and not on its root. If there’s a risk of swallowing or you’re struggling to reattach the tooth, keep it in a glass of milk. You can rinse the tooth with plain, cold water. However, don’t scrub or use soap to clean it. Book an appointment with your dentist or the nearest one in your current location. Your dentist may still be able to put the tooth back within 10 minutes.
• Chipped or broken tooth. Often, a chipped or broken tooth can still be saved. But time is of the essence, so be sure to get the earliest dental appointment. A filling may be enough to fix minor chips, while root canal therapy or crowns may be necessary for serious breaks. Reduce swelling by holding a cold compress outside the cheek, where the damaged tooth is. If you can locate the tooth fragments, place them in a glass of milk and take them to the dentist.
• Broken dental restoration. If your dental restoration, such as a filling or crown, falls out or gets damaged, see your dentist immediately. In the meantime, cover any cavity with sugarless gum. For fillings, try to put the piece back in place using a dental adhesive. If not possible, bring the restoration with you so your dentist can try to reattach it or replace it, if necessary. Never use super glue or any other adhesive at home.
• Dental abscess. Dental abscesses can form near the root of the tooth or between the teeth and gums. Left untreated, the infection can spread to surrounding teeth and the rest of the gums. Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and continue to brush and floss as you would. Applying a cold compress can also help minimize any swelling while you wait for your dental appointment.

Can I Go to the Emergency Room?

If the dental office is closed or too far away, you can also go to the emergency room for immediate assistance. The staff can assess your symptoms and mouth and provide first aid or temporary treatments.

Only a dentist can perform the needed restorative procedures, so you’ll need to see them. Though, receiving professional care right away can make the difference between losing or keeping your tooth.

If you’re in Little Italy, Toronto, ON, and require dental emergency care, get in touch with us. We’ll do our best to see you right away.