Dental Emergency Brampton: Treatment & Prevention For Dental Pain Emergency

By Dr. Sonia Sharma

Winter is here and so are the snow, slippery walkways, ice hockey as well as unfortunate facial and tooth injuries. The chances of a dental emergency in Brampton due to slip and fall accidents proportionately increase in winter than any other time of the year. Although all injuries are traumatic, but tooth injuries are particularly worse due to their irreversible nature. The loss of a permanent natural tooth is for the entire life. Fallen out tooth from the socket due to trauma is also called avulsed tooth. At times the tooth is avulsed from its socket and during other it is partially avulsed (subluxation). Painful injuries to the natural teeth like these represent a common incidence of emergency room visits, and a confusing problem for physicians, often inexperienced in the proper management and dental care.

Unfortunately, during after hours’ emergencies, your family dentists may not be readily available to prevent the otherwise preventable loss of traumatized anterior or frontal teeth. But there are dental emergency clinics in Brampton that operate 24 hours a day where new patients are welcome. Often patients see their dentists at a later time with absolutely no recourse or remedy.

Urgent attention is required for completely or partially avulsed teeth as this is considered a dental pain emergency. Successful treatment is conditional on the time that lapses from the moment of impact to the time of re-implantation of teeth that are completely removed from their sockets. Treatment must commence even prior to visiting the dentist. Some of the measures one can take if the tooth is completely avulsed include: locating the avulsed tooth and gently rinsing the tooth in tap water if dirty. Where the circumstances do not permit for such an action due to excessive injuries and/or multiple tooth loss, transport the tooth in cold milk. Patient’s saliva or water is other choice. Do not try to clean the tooth surface forcibly. If it is not too inconvenient, replace the tooth within the socket it came from with minimal pressure. A precise alignment is not as crucial as is an instant retort. Once the tooth is secured, look for immediate dental care.

If the tooth is replanted within the first hour, there is significantly better chance of its survival. Professional dental treatment usually comprises of estimated alignment of tooth and slim pacification. We prescribe drugs for pain and infection control. With the use of dental splints we make sure that further trauma to the tooth and the socket may be avoided. Splints are generally maintained for one to two weeks, with no biting force and diet instructions to contain further disturbance. Replanted tooth are constantly observed and root canal treatments are routinely performed on the avulsed tooth at a later date to reduce the chance of an unfavourable pupal or nerve chamber response. It is also extremely important to assess any other facial and neurological damage even if other injuries are not very visible. Gashes and cuts that require sutures must be treated within one day for best healing and minimum scar formation. Tetanus updates are often advisable for soiled wounds, especially if a tooth has been re-implanted. Suitable documentation may be obligatory for legal and insurance purposes.

Partially avulsed tooth, one that has been loosened, but not removed from its socket, also requires immediate care, though time is not as critical as for total avulsion. The mouth must remain open sufficiently to avoid further disturbance to the loose tooth and an immediate dental attention must be arranged. Do not attempt to forcefully reposition the tooth.

As mentioned earlier, often times the facial injuries and tooth loss is preventable. Children are the most effected group with partial and complete avulsions. Playing road or ice hockey without CSA approved helmets and face guards and frequent slips and falls on the ice are considered to be the main culprits. Tooth loss due to auto accidents and physical fights are not as common. As responsible parents, it is our duty to educate our kids regarding facial and head protection while participating in sports that brings excessive risk of head and facial injuries. I would also like to support the use of mouth guards in addition to the other protective paraphernalia. Mouth guards must fit the teeth snuggling to be effective. Custom mouth guards designed and fitted by a dentist are slightly more expensive but are worth the extra expense.

Although, no one has any control on unfortunate tooth injuries, but understanding the very basis of them in terms of expectation, pain and treatment is the main objective of this article.

Please remember all information provided is as a general guideline. It is NOT intended to replace professional care. Since every patient and every case may vary, consult your physician or dentist for advice on your particular situation.

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