Dental Emergencies
Most dental problems can be dealt with by Dr. Sunny Tatra and the team during regular dental office hours. However, sometimes the unexpected happens and you require more immediate help. In this blog post, we will identify symptoms that might indicate a dental emergency that needs more prompt treatment, as well as outlining what you can expect from Dr. Sunny Tatra if you do have a dental emergency.
What is a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can have many causes, including accidents, sports-related injuries, tooth decay and infection.
You may have a dental emergency if you have any of the following:
• a traumatic injury to your mouth, jaw or teeth
• severe pain that you cannot control with over-the-counter pain medication
• uncontrolled bleeding
• severe swelling in your mouth, face or neck
NOTE: If you have trouble breathing or your mouth continuously fills with blood, call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Contacting Dr. Sunny Tatra
Dr. Sunny Tatra, along with all other dentists in British Columbia, are required to provide patients with emergency dental care if the need arises. If your symptoms indicate that you have a dental emergency, contact Dr. Tatra on his mobile at +1 (250) 588-5337. If Dr. Tatra is unavailable, he will make other arrangements so that a dentist on call or another service can help patients in need. It is important that you, or someone with you, provide the Dr. Tatra or another dentist with an accurate description of your problem, including whether you have had any recent dental work done.
What to expect
Once Dr. Tatra reviews your situation over the phone, he may meet you right away or see you as soon as possible during regular office hours. He or she may also refer you to another dentist or to your local hospital if appropriate. The dentist may tell you things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms and may also prescribe medication by phone. It is important to follow the instructions given to you.
Patients can also contact HealthLink BC by visiting www.HealthLinkBC.ca online or by phoning 8-1-1. This 24-hour-a-day service gives you easy access to non-emergency health and dental information and services. You will be able to speak to a registered nurse about your symptoms, get more details about your condition or speak to a pharmacist about your medication questions.
Preventing dental emergencies
Not all dental emergencies can be prevented but you can take steps to reduce problems that can lead to an emergency by the following:
• Practice good oral hygiene and see a dentist regularly
• See a dentist as soon as pain or problems start — before they become severe
• Wear protective equipment like mouth guards and helmets when playing sports
• Wear seatbelts while riding in a car
For more information about dental emergencies please visit:
• College of Dental Surgeons of BC
Remember to follow and like Dr. Sunny Tatra on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ to stay up to date with the latest news and tips. To read client reviews or to share your own experience, visit our RateMDs and Yelp pages. To book an appointment with Dr. Sunny Tatra and his team, phone +1 250 590 0166, email, or fill out the online appointment form!
