If any of the following things happen to you or a loved one, don’t hesitate. Call and go to our emergency dentist if:
…you have a tooth knocked out
If you have a tooth knocked out in a slip and fall, motor vehicle accident, assault or athletic collision, you should see an emergency dentist in Edmonton as soon as possible. Our dental specialist may give you some pain relief right away and, if you get there fast enough and take the tooth with you, might even be able to put your tooth back in place.
… you have a broken or badly chipped tooth
A minor chip in a tooth may only be a cosmetic issue that doesn’t warrant seeing our emergency dentist near you. Some chips and cracks are more serious, though. If you have lost a large chip or piece of your tooth, you should contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Your entire tooth may be weaker or more vulnerable to damage or infection than you realize, and the closer the chip or crack is to a nerve, the more likely you’ll experience significant pain.
Sometimes knowing the difference between a minor and a major chip or crack is difficult without professional dental expertise. If you’re unsure, avoid contacting our dental clinic in Edmonton, no matter what time it is. Tell them what happened and trust their guidance regarding whether it is an emergency or one that can wait until you can make an appointment with our usual dentist in Edmonton.
… you’ve lost a crown or filling
Your crowns and fillings were put in place for very good reasons — to fill a hole in your tooth that is vulnerable to invasive tooth decay and to strengthen a weak and damaged tooth. If one of those fillings or crowns emerges, that newly unprotected tooth is suddenly extremely vulnerable. Depending on the problems with that underlying tooth, a lost crown or filling can quickly become a very serious health risk for you. Whenever you have lost a crown or filling, let our dentist near you know as soon as possible.
… you’re experiencing severe tooth pain
This is another situation where distinguishing between minor and significant is important. Temporary, minor and intermittent tooth pain is an unfortunate fact of life. You should always tell our dentist about such temporary, minor and intermittent tooth pain, but it probably doesn’t indicate the existence of an emergency. On the other hand, severe, constant and persistent pain probably indicates an emergency — especially if accompanied by any swelling, bleeding or fever. That pain could be a symptom of a dental abscess, an exposed nerve, a severe infection or more. If you’re unsure what category your tooth pain falls into, call our emergency dental clinic in Edmonton for advice.
The same can be said about bleeding gums. Not every sign of blood when spitting after brushing or flossing suggests a dental emergency, but bleeding that persists or worsens can suggest the presence of gum disease or infections.
… your jaw is swollen
Swelling is a common sign of infection, especially if the swelling in your jaw is accompanied by pain, fever, problems swallowing and any discharge into your mouth. You should never hesitate to contact our dentist near you on an emergency basis if you have a swollen jaw — particularly if any other symptoms accompany the swelling.
These are all situations when you should call our emergency dentist, but here’s the most important point: There is no downside to calling our emergency dentist if you’re concerned about any symptoms. If the situation is an emergency, you’ll get the treatment you need immediately. If the situation is not an emergency, our dentist will still give you advice and allay your fears.