If you are experiencing acute pain, have a broken tooth or filling, symptoms of infection, or swelling in your mouth or jaw, contact us as soon as possible. At Clinique Poirier, your dental center in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, we will do our best to see you as soon as possible during our business hours. We can also provide you with advice and instructions on how to alleviate the problem before your emergency appointment.
Even though only a dentist can make a clear dental diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, it is useful to know what to do when a dental emergency arises.
That's why we offer the following advice:
Adult tooth that has been knocked out
It is recommended that you keep the tooth in a sterile saline solution (available at pharmacies), in milk, or in your mouth so that it remains in contact with saliva. This is to keep the tooth alive until you can get emergency dental care. This will make it easier to recover and/or repair the tooth. It's also important to see a dentist as soon as possible after an incident like this, ideally within an hour.
Broken tooth or broken filling
It is important to keep the broken piece. If it is a natural tooth, it is recommended to keep the piece in optimal conditions, ideally in sterile saline solution (available at pharmacies) or in milk. The dentist will be able to assess the condition of the piece and whether it can be used to repair the tooth. It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible after the break, especially if you see a red spot or blood at the site of the break. In such cases, you should seek treatment within a few hours.
Biting to the tongue or lip
To reduce bleeding, apply light pressure to the wound with a clean cloth. The bleeding should stop after a while. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress directly to the wound.
Abscesses (swelling and pus)
In case of abscesses (swelling and pus), rinse your mouth with warm salt water four times a day. You can also take a pain reliever (such as Tylenol or Advil) to relieve the pain. A warm compress applied to the face may also help. It is also important to contact us for a consultation as soon as possible. However, if the swelling worsens, reaches the eye and compromises vision, or causes difficulty swallowing or breathing, go to the emergency room immediately!
Food fragment stuck between your teeth
Use dental floss to try to remove the piece stuck between your teeth. Avoid using sharp or pointed objects for this purpose. If you are unable to remove the piece, contact us for a quick consultation.
Sharp tooth pain
Some symptoms can be a sign of serious problems. Therefore, if you experience intense pain that wakes you up at night, comes on suddenly, or subsides when you apply cold liquid to the painful tooth, contact us. We will schedule an appointment within 24 to 72 hours, or on the same day if your situation requires it.
