Dental Emergencies in Guelph
Do you need emergency dental care? Call our office right away to arrange an emergency appointment. We will try to see you the same day you call. After hours you can reach an on-call dentist through the Emergency Department at Guelph General Hospital.
Dental first aid tips
Here are a few things you can do at home for common dental emergencies.
Toothache
Toothaches occur when the nerves in a tooth are irritated or become inflamed. They can be caused by infection, decay, or injuries. You can obtain temporary relief from the pain using pain medication, a cold compress or ice pack, or by rinsing the area with water. Don’t apply heat or pain medication directly to the painful area.
Knocked-out tooth
If the injured tooth is an adult tooth, gently rinse, not scrub, the tooth in cold water. If you can, place the tooth back in the socket and hold it in place with gauze or a soft washcloth. Don’t touch the roots of the tooth. If you can’t place the tooth in the socket, put it in a clean container with some milk, saliva, or water and bring it to our office with you.
If the injured tooth is a baby tooth, don’t try to replace the tooth. If the socket is bleeding, have your child bite down on gauze or a soft cloth for 10-15 minutes until the bleeding stops.
Chipped or cracked tooth
Rinse the area with lukewarm water to remove any food from the area and apply an icepack or a cold compress to help reduce swelling. If you can find the piece(s) of the tooth, place them in cold milk, saliva, or water and bring them to your appointment.
When to go to the hospital
Some dental emergencies require emergency medical care. If you experience shortness of breath or restricted breathing, a fever over 38C, severe swelling, significant trouble opening your mouth or swallowing, or a change in your voice, go to the nearest Emergency room.
Also, seek medical attention for injuries that where you suspect your jaw may be broken or dislocated, if you have serious lacerations of your mouth, or signs of concussion (headache, dizziness, disorientation, nausea).
If you have a dental emergency, call us right away.
