Emergencies

Emergencies often occur outside of the clinic’s regular opening hours. Although we offer great availability, it could happen at night or a Sunday.

Here are the most common dental emergencies and advice on what to do to temporarily relieve pain until you can see a dentist.

These tips do not constitute a diagnosis. They can be very reassuring but in no way can they replace your dentist’s advice. Only your dentist will be able to make a correct diagnosis and suggest the proper treatment.

 

Feel free to contact us for additional information or any concern.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Some emergencies are of medical nature. When someone is a victim of a serious accident or a malaise, call 911 or go directly to the Hospital Emergency Department. Here are a few examples;

Possible jaw fracture

When you suspect a jaw fracture, immobilize the maxilla as much as possible.  You can apply ice to control pain and swelling.  Ideally, wrap the ice pack in a wet towel. Immediately bring the person to the Hospital Emergency.

Facial Lacerations

Immediately bring the person to the Hospital Emergency to obtain the best aesthetic result possible.

General Health Is Getting Worse Following a Dental Treatment

If your general health deteriorates following a dental treatment, such as: cardiac discomfort, an allergic reaction,  difficulty breathing, bleeding... it is an emergency, call 911.

DENTAL PAIN

When a tooth pain is hard to bear and prevents you from enjoying your day, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible, but in the meantime, here are some tips that you may find useful.

Consistent Pain

Call your dentist to plan a visit as soon as possible. To soothe the pain until your appointment, take an over-the-counter analgesic (such as Tylenol or Motrin). Do not exceed the dose recommended on the product label. Never apply medicated tablets  directly on the painful tooth. Hold an ice compress on the sensitive area. Never apply heat on the painful area (such as a warm compress, heating pad or a hot water bottle) as the heat...

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Pain to different stimuli

If you experience pain with warm, cold, and/or sugar, avoid foods or beverages that trigger or aggravate the pain. Do not neglect your symptoms! Your tooth must be treated. Make an appointment with your dentist. Pain after An Endodontic Treatment (Root Canal Treatment) It may happen that an asymptomatic tooth before treatment can become very painful after a root canal. This could represent a rapid infection beginning. Contact your dentist. He could change your medication or prescribe...

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Pain after an Endodontic Treatment (Root Canal Treatment)

It may happen that an asymptomatic tooth before treatment can become very painful after a root canal. This could represent a rapid infection beginning. Contact your dentist. He could change your medication or prescribe antibiotics or painkillers.

DENTAL TRAUMA

Dental trauma most often happens during accidents or a physical activity.

Broken Tooth

It is almost always possible to save a broken tooth. If the tooth is only slightly fractured and pain-free, you can make an appointment with your dentist in order to restore it. Aesthetic restorative materials are used to repair broken teeth and are almost invisible since they match the teeth’s natural colour. However, if your tooth is severely fractured and painful, it is likely that the dentin or pulp is exposed. A root canal and a...

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Loose Tooth

A tooth can be displaced because of an accident (such as a fall) and it can become mobile and painful. This condition requires an emergency dentist visit to assess the possibility to solidify the tooth by attaching it to the other teeth. In the meantime, you can try to delicately put it back, if it is not painful.

Knocked-out Tooth

If the tooth has been completely expelled in an accident, your dentist may be able to re-implant it, but it has to be done soon! The sooner the tooth is re-implanted in its socket, the greater the chances to successfully embed the tooth back in the gum. Ideally, it has to be re-implanted within 30 minutes following the accident. Gently rinse your tooth and put it in a container of cold milk or water. Quickly go to...

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Laceration, Wound or Serious Lip or Tongue Bite

Press a clean cloth on the wound to stop the bleeding. If there is swelling, apply a cold and wet compress. If the bleeding persists, contact your dentist, your CLSC (Info Sante #811) or go to a hospital’s emergency department.

Debris Stuck Between Teeth

You can first try to carefully remove it by using dental floss. Never use a pin or a sharp object as you may injure your gums or scratch the teeth’s surface. If it can’t be dislodged, see your dentist or hygienist.

Lost, Cracked or Chipped Filling

Temporarily protect the tooth by eating on the opposite side. Clean and rinse your mouth after eating and quickly see the dentist, depending on his availability for emergency visits. However, if you have a constant pain that wakes you up at night, you should see the dentist as soon as possible.

Temporary Cement Lost After a Root Canal

If the temporary cement is dislodged after an Endodontic treatment (root canal), clean and rinse the area and take an appointment with your dentist.

Cement or Complete Loss of a Crown or Bridge

It is important to temporarily protect the exposed part of the tooth (crown or bridge pillars)  to keep it in good condition. See your dentist as soon as possible.

PROBLEMS FOLLOWING SURGERY or A LONG DENTAL PROCEDURE

After a surgery or a long dental procedure, it is important to follow your dentist’s recommendations. However, if you have fever, nausea, vomiting or bleeding, immediately contact your dentist to give you instructions.

Bleeding

Following surgery, the dentist places gauze (cotton) in your mouth. It is important to bite on the compress and keep good, constant pressure. You can change the compress after 30 minutes. If you are still bleeding, fold a compress in four and bite on it for another 20 minutes. Repeat until the bleeding stops. Resting will slow down blood circulation and promote coagulation. If you have no more gauze, you can use a slightly wet tea...

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Pain following surgery

It is important to follow your dentist’s advice. Take the prescribed painkillers according to posology. Do not wait until pain is intense because it will be more difficult to control. If the pain persists or becomes unbearable, call your dentist’s clinic. If the clinic is closed, call Info Santé (811). The nurse will be able to assist you or give directions to the nearest hospital.

Medication

If the dentist has prescribed you antibiotics, it is important to respect the posology and take ALL THE PILLS to prevent any infection of the treated region, even if you don’t feel pain anymore. * Before any procedure, inform the dentist of your health problems and any medication prescribed by your doctor or specialist.

Sutures

If the dentist used melting sutures, they will disappear on their own within the next 2 to 10 days. On the other hand, if it he has used silk sutures, they should be removed within the next week. This procedure is done without anesthesia and is painless. If silk sutures get loose before your appointment, contact your dentist and he will assess whether he needs to see you sooner.

Swelling

It is normal to have swelling in the face after oral surgery. It reaches its apex between 24 and 72 hours and reduces on the 4th day following the procedure. Swelling may be diminished with the immediate application of cold. Make a compress by putting ice cubes or a bag of frozen peas in a wet towel. Apply on the area for 15 minutes, then remove for 15 minutes.  Repeat a few times. Swelling can also occur...

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Skin coloring

Following dental surgery, the skin can appear bluish and then turn green and yellow. Although this color is embarrassing, no treatment is required. The color will fade away withtime.

Trouble Opening Jaws or Mouth

It may be that the muscles are tense and sensitive since your mouth remained open for a long time during the dental procedure. Do not force to open your mouth. Eat easy to masticate and swallow foods such as eggs, pasta or soup... This situation will decrease day by day. Contact your dentist if you see no improvement or when pain increases.

PROBLEMS FOLLOWING AN IMPLANT SURGERY

If you have problems following an implant surgery or any other concern, contact the dental clinic as soon as possible. Dr Lavoie or the dentist on duty can offer assistance. If the clinic is closed, call Urgence Dentaire de la Ville de Laval (450-669-9999) or call Info-Santé (811). The nurse can assist you.

PROBLEMS WITH REMOVABLE DENTURE

Contact Pettigrew & Giguère’s Denturology Clinic to make an appointment. The denturist will then be able to determine whether the prosthesis requires an adjustment or needs to be replaced to avoid further injuries and premature bone loss due to a poor fitting prosthesis.

Broken Prosthesis

We advise that you contact your denturist as soon as possible. Do not attempt to fix your prosthesis by yourself as this could cause irreversible damage. The denturist would then be unable to properly repair it and this could cost you a new prosthesis.

Injury, wound caused by a denture (complete or partial prosthesis)

Contact Pettigrew & Giguère’s Denturology Clinic to make an appointment. The denturist will then be able to determine whether the prosthesis requires an adjustment or needs to be replaced to avoid further injuries and premature bone loss due to a poor fitting prosthesis.

ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS

An emergency can happen during an orthodontic treatment. Whenever such a situation occurs, please contact the clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Robert Yelle.
When the orthodontist is absent, a dentist may offer some relief. Call the clinic so that you can be referred to the dentist on duty.

We cannot assume the costs of a treatment done in another dental clinic.
Here are the most common situations, as well as some advice to help minimize discomfort until your next appointment:

Pain

Pain can occur after the placing or adjustment of a device or when the wire is changed.  Teeth respond to forces applied and may be sensitive for a few days. As a first step, it is suggested to eat softer foods. If needed, take painkillers (Tylenol or Advil) .  In the majority of cases, pain disappears within 3 to 4 days. Don’t hesitate to contact us if pain persists or if you are worried.

Wire wounds

If the wire protrudes and hurts your cheek, cover this end with orthodontic wax, which you will have receive in your starter kit. Contact the clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Yelle. If he is absent, the receptionist can give you an appointment to cut the wire with the dentist on duty . If an ulcer appears, you can consult a pharmacist to obtain a gel with topical anesthetics that will temporarily relieve the pain...

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Wire Has Moved Or Is Out of Braces

Contact the clinic to schedule an appointment with Dr. Yelle. If he is absent, the receptionist can give you an appointment with the dentist on duty.

Detached Bracket

This situation can occasionally happen during your treatment. The first thing to do is to identify the location of the detached bracket and to contact Dr. Yelle’s secretary. When Dr. Yelle is absent, the dentist on duty cannot glue the detached bracket. He can only relieve the pain by cutting the wire, if desired.

Lingual Retainer brakes or detaches

If your lingual retainer brakes or detaches, contact Dr Yelle’s secretary as soon as possible. Bring the bar to your appointment if it is has completely fallen out. Please note that additional charges may apply il the bar is lost or broken and has be done again, by the orthodontist. Your dentist may glue back your lingual retainer, however, additional fees may apply.

Detached, Lost or Broken Prosthesis

If your device is broken, twisted or hurts, you must stop wearing it and contact Dr Yelle's secretary for an appointment. If he is absent, the receptionist can give you an appointment with the dentist on duty.  

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Temporomandibular Joint Troubles

Articulation disorders can occur for different reasons. They are very often caused by excessive muscle work, teeth grinding or clenching of the jaws. The most common symptoms are pain, crackles when opening (or closing) the jaw, noises during mastication, limited mouth opening (or blocking) or even headaches and ear pain. You should consult a dentist in order to establish a diagnosis. In the meantime, relieve the pain by applying ice on the joint. Eat soft and...

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Bad Breath

Bad breath can be caused by several factors. It may result from a dental condition such as a cavity, food lodged between teeth, gum disease or infection. It can also be caused by certain foods that affect breath when digested, such as onions, garlic and alcohol. Bacterial presence and tobacco are other factors that can affect your breath. Finally, it can also be a symptom of a more serious health problem. Make sure you have good...

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Sore That Doesn't Heal

If you have a wound in your mouth, throat, on your tongue, palate or lips that does not heal for more than 2 weeks, or an abnormal lump, see a dentist as soon as possible, even if it is not painful. The dentist could make an early diagnosis that can prevent complications.

Gum Bleeding

If you notice bleeding during brushing or when you use dental floss, don’t stop brushing nor using dental floss. On the contrary, be sure to thoroughly clean your teeth. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. It is caused by the accumulation of bacteria forming an invisible film, dental plaque. If plaque accumulates and is not removed, it thickens and mineralizes into tartar, a hard and rough coating that cannot be...

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Thumb Sucking

When your child sucks his thumb, a finger or object, you have to help him lose the habit before the age of 3. This behavior should never extend beyond the age of 5, when adult teeth erupt. Thumb-sucking leads to irreversible deformations (a narrow palate, forward-inclined teeth and a bad occlusion). Thumb-sucking is a form of emotional comfort for the child. You must therefore help him and encourage him in this process. Fast tips: Write in a calendar...

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Baby Teething

Teething can make the child irritable. He will cry, chew everything, will drool profusely and present a decreased appetite. Often, it is accompanied by pain, cheek redness and buttocks irritation. Although teething causes discomfort, your baby isn’t sick. At this age (6 months and older), the immune system is just starting to produce its own antibodies for defense and thus can be less resistant to microbes. Some symptoms should not be automatically attributed to teething, such...

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Flu

Be assured that we strongly emphasize on good hygiene measures and clinic maintenance is taken seriously. Sterilization and disinfection are routinely done by all our professional staff. Infection control measures are rigorously applied at every step. Sterilization efficiency and our sterilizers are tested and verified each month. If you experience flu symptoms, please reschedule your appointment in order to limit transmission of your virus. If you need to visit the dentist for an emergency treatment, sanitize...

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