If you think you need an emergency dentist in Edmonton, it’s likely that you’ve suffered from an injury to the mouth or that an infection is making itself known. But is every infection and every injury cause for an emergency appointment with your family dentist in Edmonton? Bonnie Doon Dental Associates offers its thoughts on this and other common questions:
Is It a Dental Emergency?
It isn’t likely that you’re considering an emergency dental appointment because you’re “overreacting”. If you call a clinic it means that the pain you’re experiencing is very real and very present. Dental infections can spring up suddenly and cause searing pain until a dentist can offer relief. Sometimes, a toothache is so severe that it kills the tooth before you can get to an emergency appointment. When that happens, pain stops but the infection proceeds to grow. Let your emergency dentist know if you’ve suddenly felt relief from the pain.
If you break, chip, or knock out a tooth, it may not be clear whether you need an emergency dentist in Edmonton. Breaks and chips are only emergencies if the break has opened the inner chamber of the teeth causing pain. In this case, the pain will not resolve without a dentist’s intervention. These breaks and chips will still need to be seen by your dentist in south Edmonton, but not the same day they occur. Knocked-out teeth always require immediate treatment.
If you are looking for an emergency dentist on Whyte Avenue or a dentist in the Bonnie Doon area, Bonnie Doon Dental Associates is a full-service dental clinic in Edmonton with multiple dentists to meet your urgent needs. For everything from dental braces to dental checkups and emergencies, our team works to help you along your oral health journey.
Is the Best Dental Clinic in Edmonton Near Me?
The truth is that everyone will have a different opinion about who the best dentist in Edmonton is because our preferences are informed by our experiences and needs. When you have a dental emergency on your hands, you likely will not have time to identify and meet the dentist of your highest preference – you need help right away! Particularly in cases where a tooth has been knocked out, it is important to get to a dentist within half-an-hour. Any longer than that and your chances of replacing and retaining the tooth decrease significantly.
How Can I Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Dental emergencies have happened as far back as time can imagine and will continue to be a reality – but that doesn’t mean that we can’t avoid many of them with some basic precautions. First, it is important to wear your sports guards if you play any rigorous sports. A sports guard, or mouth guard, fits over the upper and lower arches to cushion and protect against any impact. We recommend that hockey players use a face cage to provide additional protection against serious injury that could be caused by pucks. Your dentist can even have one custom-made to fit your mouth!
We can also be more aware of slip, trip and fall hazards opportunities around our homes and sidewalks during our cold Alberta winters. With modern homes favouring hard floors rather than carpets, slips, and falls have become more frequent. Ensuring that stairs are equipped with proper railings is critical, and we recommend adhesive grip tape to keep socked feet from slipping over the stairs. Sidewalks and paths should be regularly cleared of snow and ice and gravel should be laid down if icy conditions persist.
Finally, dental infections can be prevented with good oral hygiene and regular preventative maintenance. Your dentist likely wants to see you for a professional checkup and cleaning every six months, but it’s what happens in the months between that keeps little problems from becoming big ones. Brushing and flossing daily removes decay-producing bacteria from your mouth and puts a stop to its acidic effects. Without these practices, bacteria and acids accumulate in the mouth causing gingivitis and gum disease – not to mention cavities.
To keep teeth strong and resilient, ensure that your diet is high in green vegetables and proteins and limit or eliminate simple sugars. Sugars feed bacteria and the by-product of this interaction is acid that burns away at the enamel while you go about your day. If you do consume sugars, like sodas, we recommend having it as part of a meal rather than sipping away the afternoon. Mixing sugary drinks with food, helps flush the mouth and keeps pH levels in check.
When you care for your oral health and attend checkups regularly, discoveries at your checkups are likely to be easily managed. Slight gum irritation, small cavities or changes in the oral tissues are best identified early, before invasive treatments (like root canals) are required.
