Our Vancouver emergency dental clinic is putting in place strict safety measures and using Enhanced PPE in order to be open for urgent care during the COVID-19 outbreak – for the protection of our patients and for the safety of our team of dental professionals.
Dentists face one of the highest risks of contracting coronavirus, even greater than nurses or paramedics. Dentists literally work 6 inches away from patients’ faces during dental procedures.
During the COVID-19 outbreak we have been mandated by our governing bodies to restrict our operations to urgent emergency dentistry procedures only.
Dental emergency services provide immediate care for patients who have suffered some kind of trauma to the mouth. This trauma could result in fractured or dislodged teeth, pain, bleeding, or lacerations to the gums.
- If you have sharp or throbbing pain in your teeth, gums, or mouth, you should contact us immediately.
- If you have any swollen areas in your mouth, on your cheeks, or under your chin, you should also contact us.
- If you chip a tooth, we’ll work with you to decide whether it’s a ‘minor’ chip that can be addressed later or a ‘major’ chip or crack that requires immediate care.
- Normal toothaches should be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, which are shown to be more effective than medications containing opioids.
- Any pain or trouble swallowing or breathing may be better served by your medical doctor
Examples of Dental Emergencies that require immediate care include:
Knocked-out teeth – A knocked-out tooth could lead to extensive bleeding, which can be controlled by applying direct pressure on the site with a cold compress. Recover the dislodged tooth, rinse it to remove dirt, and then gently restore it in its socket, making sure that you don’t touch the root section. Alternatively, you can place the tooth in a cup of milk or wrapped in a cool, wet cloth. Seek immediate assistance.
Loose or misaligned tooth – A loose tooth or one that is out of alignment should be fixed as soon as possible. While this is likely to feel uncomfortable, you should not try to force it back into position. Use your finger to apply light pressure, or gently bite it down until the dentist is ready to see you.
Abscess – An infection around the tooth’s root or gum line can be very painful. It can also cause swelling in the soft tissues. An abscess should be treated immediately to stop the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
We are committed to be one of the best emergency dentists in Vancouver BC during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you feel that you are in need of urgent dental care please contact us by telephone at 604-733-3325 or by email at: urgentcare@smilevancouver.ca