Emergency Dental Services in Calgary
At Deer Valley Dental Care in Calgary, our dentists offer same-day dental appointments in case of a dental emergency.
Call for a Same-Day Emergency Appointment in Calgary SE
(403) 271-6300
If you’re ever caught in a dental emergency, contact our office, and we'll make room in our schedule straight away. Our dental clinic in Calgary SE is easily accessible, and open early and late 7 days a week.
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Our Extended Emergency Dentist Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
We’ll provide you with instructions over the phone, and see you right away once you get to the clinic.
For after-hours emergencies, please visit your nearest hospital emergency room.
I have a dental emergency. What should I do?
The following list includes most common dental emergencies, and what you should do in each situation. Whatever your emergency, it's essential that you visit our office as soon as possible.
Knocked out tooth, or a tooth forced out of position or loosened
This type of dental emergency in Calgary commonly occurs due to a fall, sports injury or other trauma.
What To Do:
Knocked out tooth: See your dentist as possible. Retrieve the tooth, and try to place it back into the socket. If the tooth is soiled, rinse it off, but DO NOT scrub it, or remove any attached tissues. Hold it by the crown, and gently place it back into the socket (ensuring that it is facing the right direction). Bite down gently to hold it in place.
If you cannot place the tooth back into the socket, do not discard it. Put it in a small container of milk (or cup of water that contains a pinch of table salt).
Whether or not you can replace the tooth in the socket, it's important to get to our office as soon as possible. Knocked out teeth have the best chance of being saved if they are replaced in the socket and seen by a dentist within an hour of being knocked out.
Loosened or out-of-position tooth: See your dentist right away. If there is any bleeding, apply a piece of gauze or a soft, clean cloth to the area until the bleeding stops (usually about 10 minutes). To relieve any pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek in affected area.
Fractured, cracked or chipped tooth
You can experience a small, medium or large chip in your tooth due to excessive teeth grinding, trauma, a cavity or if you bite down on something too hard.
What To Do:
See your dentist as soon as possible. If a piece of the tooth has come off, save it if you can. If there is any bleeding, apply a piece of gauze or a soft, clean cloth to the area until the bleeding stops (usually about 10 minutes). Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth, cheek, or lip in the affected area to keep any swelling down and to relieve pain.
Toothache
A toothache is characterized by a dull or sharp pain. Common causes of toothaches include tooth decay, an abscess, gum disease, damaged fillings or sealants, and sometimes improper oral hygiene.
What To Do:
See your dentist as soon as possible. Rinse your mouth out thoroughly with warm water, and if you can, use dental floss to gently remove any lodged food. If you experience swelling, put a cold compress on the outside of your cheek or mouth in the affected area.
Dislodged Crown or Loose Fillings
Dental crowns and filling may become dislodged. There are a few reasons this might happen, including trauma, poor maintenance of your dental work, or simply wear and tear over time.
What To Do:
See you dentist as soon as possible. If you have lost a filling, you can temporarily place a piece of sugarless chewing gum, or some over-the-counter dental cement into the cavity. If a crown falls off, bring the crown with you if possible. If you can't get to the dentist immediately, use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of clove oil to the sensitive area (clove oil can be purchased at your local drug store or in the spice aisle of your grocery store).
If possible, place the crown back over the tooth. To keep it in place, coat the exposed surface of the tooth with an over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste, or denture adhesive, to help hold the crown in place. DO NOT use super glue!
Broken braces and wires
Braces can become damaged or broken for a variety of reasons, most often do to facial trauma, or biting or chewing hard food or objects.
What To Do:
See your dentist as soon as possible. If a wire breaks or sticks out of a bracket or band and is poking your cheek, tongue, or gum, use the eraser end of a pencil to try and push the wire into a more comfortable position. If you can't re-position the wire, cover the end with orthodontic wax, a small cotton ball, or piece of gauze until you can get to our office. Never cut the wire, as you could end up swallowing it or breathing it into your lungs.
Other Problems
Don't see your exact problem in this list? If you are experiencing pain or distress of any kind, we still encourage you to call us at 403-271-6300. We are here for you.
Precautions for Avoiding Dental Emergencies
While dental emergencies sometimes happen in spite of our best efforts, you can still minimize risk of injuries to your teeth, jaws and gums.
The first thing you can do to prevent these injuries is to use your teeth for chewing food only. Many people have the tendency to open or cut packaging with their teeth. Doing this not only expose your teeth to harm, you can also cut or injure your lips or gums.
If you participate in sports or any physically-strenuous activities that may result in an impact to the head, face or neck, you should make it a habit to always wear a mouthguard. The custom mouthguard will serve as protection for your teeth against any injury.
Finally, watch what you eat. Avoid munching on hard kernels or candies, for instance. Hard food can cause damage to your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my condition is an emergency?
There are ranges of severity in a dental emergency, but the general rule is that if you are in severe pain, bleeding, have lost a tooth or a broken appliance, you should contact your emergency dentist right away.
Do I need to call up front or book an appointment?
If you're experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. We will do our best to fit you in right away. If you walk in, we will try our best to accommodate you.
Do you accept dental insurance?
Yes, we accept dental insurance and will assist with coordination with your insurance provider. For information on insurance and financing click here.
Do I need to pay first or can you bill to my insurance company directly?
Yes, we can verify, on your behalf, the coverage on your insurance plan and proceed with collecting payment directly form your insurance company. For information on insurance and financing click here.
Do you accept walk-ins?
If you are experiencing a dental emergency we encourage you to call us right away and we will do our best to get you in the same-day.
Do you have free parking available?
Yes, we offer free parking. We are located in Deer Valley Market Place (formerly Deer Valley Shopping Centre) in South east (SE) Calgary.
Do you also treat child dental emergencies?
Yes, if your child is experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. We will do our best to fit you in right away.
Do you accept emergency appointments from someone that's not already a patient?
Yes, if you are not an existing patient of Deer Valley Dental Care, you can call or walk in if you are experiencing a dental emergency. We will do our best to schedule you in as soon as possible to treat you. Upon arrival to our office our front desk staff will walk you through the necessary forms you need to fill out. Feel free to ask any questions. If you require more information, contact us.