Dental Emergencies
If you are not registered with a dentist in Bermuda, in the event of a dental emergency contact King Edward Memorial Hospital at the numbers below. They may direct you to the on-call dentist.
King Edward Memorial Hospital 236-2345 or 239-2009
If you are a patient of another office, please contact your regular general dentist.
If you are an active and registered patient with us at Smiles, please call 296-0990 and follow instructions given.
A weekend contact number will be available shortly.
King Edward Memorial Hospital 236-2345 or 239-2009
If you are a patient of another office, please contact your regular general dentist.
If you are an active and registered patient with us at Smiles, please call 296-0990 and follow instructions given.
A weekend contact number will be available shortly.
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Toothache
A "toothache" is pain typically around a tooth, teeth or jaws. In most instances, toothaches are caused by a dental problem, such as a dental cavity, a cracked or fractured tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease. Sometimes diseases of the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint), or spasms of the muscles used for chewing can cause toothache like symptoms. The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. It can be a dull ache or intense. The pain may be aggravated by chewing or by thermal foods and liquids which are cold or hot. A thorough oral examination, proper tooth testing and evaluation, along with appropriate dental x-rays, can help determine the cause and form a treatment plan. For out of office hours assistance; Please take pain medication that you would normally take for a headache. Swelling Please ice the affected area and use a mouthwash : warm water and 2 teaspoons of salt. Please contact the office as soon as possible for an appointment. If the swelling increases and is effecting your eye, or your ability to breath then please all King Edward Memorial Hospital. Dislodged Teeth Injuries to the mouth can cause teeth to be pushed back into their sockets. If the tooth is pushed partially out of the socket, your dentist may re-position and stabilize your tooth. If the pulp remains healthy, then no other treatment is necessary. However, if the pulp becomes damaged or infected, root canal treatment will be required. Root canal treatment is usually started within a few weeks of the injury and a medication, such as calcium hydroxide, will be placed inside the tooth. Eventually, a permanent root canal filling will be placed and the canal will be sealed. Avulsed Teeth If an injury causes a tooth to be completely knocked out of your mouth, it is important that you seek treatment immediately! It is important to keep the avulsed tooth moist. If possible, put it back into the socket. A tooth can be saved if it remains moist. You can even put the tooth in milk or a glass of water (add a pinch of salt). Root canal treatment may be necessary based upon the stage of root development. The length of time the tooth was out of your mouth and the way the tooth was stored may influence the type of treatment you receive and how successful the outcome. |
Root Canals
Why do I need one? 
The pulp, or soft inner tissue is important during the tooth's development. Once a tooth is fully mature, the tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth is nourished by tissues surrounding it. The pulp is normally surrounded and protected by a layer of dentin.
Above the gumline, the dentin is protected by a layer of enamel; below the gum-line the dentin is covered by cementum. When a crack or cavity destroys these protective layers, the pulp is exposed to irritants and bacteria in your mouth. This can result in inflammation then infection, and, eventually, an abscess. Periodontal (gum) disease or a severe blow to the tooth can also damage the pulp. Endodontic therapy removes the damaged pulp and usually the tooth returns to a healthy condition. If an abscess was present before treatment the healing process may take up to 2 years. |