Emergency Care

toothache

In the event of a dental emergency, we will adjust our schedule to accommodate you. After normal office hours, please phone 250-479-2099 for our emergency telephone number. Please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Broken teeth or fillings, which do not involve pain, will be attended to as soon as possible. These appointments will be scheduled in such a way that it will cause minimal inconvenience to previously scheduled patients.

What to do

Toothache/Broken tooth/Swelling

Clean around the sore tooth by rinsing with warm, salt water. This will displace any trapped food between the teeth. Take some pain medication orally but do not place aspirin on the tooth or gums. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen is recommended. Keep hot and cold liquids away from the sore tooth. Applying a cold compress against your cheek will help with pain and swelling. Sharp edges can be removed with a nail file or by applying wax or chewing gum.

Knocked Out Tooth

Baby teeth cannot be put back in place. If the adult tooth looks clean, try and put it back in its place (the socket). Rinse the tooth by holding it by the top (crown) end and not the root end. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, then carry it in a cup of cold water or milk and get to a dentist as soon as possible. If an adult tooth is reinserted within 10-20 minutes, there is a greater chance that it will take root again.

Cut lip, tongue,cheek or bleeding

Apply firm pressure with sterile gauze or clean cloth. If the bleeding is still profuse after 15 minutes, then go to the emergency room. After a baby tooth falls out, bite firmly on some gauze for 15 minutes.

Broken braces/wires

Remove a broken appliance if it comes out easily. Sharp edges can be covered with wax, gauze or chewing gum. Emergency attention is usually not required for loose or broken appliances that cause no discomfort.

Cold sores/Canker sores

Over the counter medications will usually provide temporary relief (Ora-gel or Anbesol). Avoid spicy and acidic foods.

 

Find more information on Dental emergencies visit YourDentalHealth.ca and Health Link BC website.