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DENTAL EMERGENCIES « DENTAL CARE
Have a dental emergency?
|
Call 1.888.81SMILE (1.888.817.6453) to connect to an Altima Dental Centre in Ontario near you*
Call 310-SMILE (403.310.7645) to connect to a BrightSmile Dental Centre in Calgary, Alberta* |
* Please note these are toll-free numbers, not a 24-hour dental service. If you are connected to a clinic after-hours, kindly leave a message indicating the nature of the emergency and phone number where you can be reached. A member of our dental centre team will return your call as soon as possible. If the emergency is severe you are urged to seek immediate medical care at an emergency facility or hospital.
Our dental centres offer extended evening and weekend hours in order to provide our patients with access to immediate and convenient emergency dentistry services with a dentist or dental professional. At our dental clinics, emergency patients are provided with same day dental appointments as high priorities.
Please contact the dental clinic nearest you for hours and availability by clicking here.
What is considered a dental emergency?
The following list of dental symptoms can be used as guidelines to recognize whether or not your condition may be considered a dental emergency. Dental symptoms can range in severity and urgency. A dental condition may be considered urgent, but not an emergency. However, urgent conditions still require the attention and care of a dentist as soon as possible.
| Dull, continuous ache | Non-emergency | A dull, continuous ache is not considered a dental emergency or urgent. However, a toothache should not be ignored because it generally means there is something irritating the nerve root of the tooth. Schedule a dental appointment at your earliest convenience. |
| Broken Denture | Non-emergency | DO NOT attempt to repair your denture on your own, as you could cause additional damage to the denture or your mouth. Call your denturist to schedule a dental appointment, or call our toll-free number to schedule a dental appointment at your earliest convenience. |
| Sensitivity to cold | Non-emergency | Tooth sensitivity to cold is caused by various factors, which can include dentin exposure, acidic foods, recent routine dental procedures, gum recession, brushing too hard or teeth grinding. Call our toll-free number to schedule a dental appointment at your earliest convenience. |
| Sensitivity to heat | Could be Emergency | Tooth sensitivity to heat is considered urgent because it can indicate that an infection may be present. Call our toll-free number for an appointment as soon as possible.
However, if significant swelling and/or fever are present, then this kind of heat sensitivity could be considered a dental emergency. Call our toll-free number for an emergency appointment. |
| Fractured Tooth | Could be Emergency | A fractured tooth may be a dental emergency depending on the degree of fracture and pain to the area. If the fracture is severe you should seek emergency medical attention.
However, if damage to a fractured tooth is minor or moderate, it is considered urgent, but not a dental emergency. Avoid hot and cold foods and biting/chewing in the area of the fractured tooth until seen by a dentist. Call our toll-free number to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. |
| Broken Braces and Wires | Urgent | If a dental wire becomes broken and is poking the gums, alleviate pain by pushing the poking wire away from the gums using the eraser-end of a pencil. Call your orthodontist to schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible, or call our toll-free number to schedule an emergency appointment.
If a bracket or band becomes loose and is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and put some wax on it. If the wire comes out entirely, wrap the bracket in a tissue. Call your orthodontist to schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible, or call our toll-free number to schedule an emergency appointment. If a wire becomes loose, try to put the wire back into place using tweezers and place wax on it. Call your orthodontist to schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible, or call our toll-free number to schedule an emergency appointment. |
| Swelling | Dental Emergency | If you are experiencing sudden, severe discomfort, accompanied by swelling, there might be an infection in your mouth. If an infection is present, the area will appear red, tender, and warm to the touch with some localized pus formation. Apply a cold compress to the inflamed area and call our toll-free number for an emergency appointment. |
| Abscessed tooth | Dental Emergency | If an abscess is present, a localized pus formation can usually be seen at the root end of the tooth. If the condition is acute and there is an infection present, the dentist will likely prescribe antibiotics and analgesics right away before attempting to perform root canal therapy or other restorative procedures. Call our toll-free number for an emergency appointment. |
| Knocked out tooth | Dental Emergency | If your tooth is knocked out, control the bleeding by applying direct pressure with a cold compress. Do not be alarmed, as there may be extensive bleeding. Recover the tooth that has been knocked out (without touching the root end of the tooth!) and very gently place it back into its socket. It is possible to re-implant the tooth within 30 minutes of being knocked out. If you are uncomfortable placing the tooth back in your mouth, carefully transport the tooth in a glass of cold milk or wrapped in a cold, wet cloth. Visit an emergency facility immediately. |
| Extruded Tooth | Dental Emergency | An extruded tooth is a tooth that has been forced out of its original position. If you have a tooth pushed inward or outward DO NOT force the tooth back into its socket. Rather, very gently reposition the tooth back into its original position using light force with your finger. Use a moist gauze or tissue to lightly hold the tooth in place. Call our toll-free number for an emergency appointment immediately. |
| Facial fracture | Dental Emergency | A facial fracture is an injury that results in broken bones to the face. In the event of a severe facial fracture ensure the airway is open and apply direct pressure to any bleeding areas. Call 911 or transport the victim to hospital emergency immediately for medical attention. |
Altima and BrightSmile Dental have more than 30 locations to serve you better.
Call 1.888.81SMILE (76453) to find a local dentist and dental clinic in Ontario.
Call 310-SMILE (403.310.7645) to find a local dentist and dental clinic in Calgary, Alberta.
Reserve your complimentary consultation today!* New patients are always welcome.
*10-minute complimentary consultation is with a general dentist, & excludes x-rays or new patient exam. Fees may apply with a specialist.
Altima and BrightSmile Dental have more than 30 locations to serve you better.
Call 1.888.81SMILE (76453) to find a local dentist and dental clinic in Ontario.
Call 310-SMILE (403.310.7645) to find a local dentist and dental clinic in Calgary, Alberta.
Reserve your complimentary consultation today!* New patients are always welcome.
*10-minute complimentary consultation is with a general dentist, & excludes x-rays or new patient exam. Fees may apply with a specialist.
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