Emergency Dentistry

What is a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can come in different forms, like a severe toothache, a chipped or cracked tooth due to an accident, or a lost tooth. To determine if your situation requires emergency dental care, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you experiencing severe pain or swelling?
• Do you have a toothache that won’t go away?
• Is your tooth loose or knocked out?
• Do you have swelling in your cheeks or face combined with a toothache?
• Are you experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity?
• Are you bleeding from your mouth and the bleeding won’t stop?
• Is your jaw injured?

Generally, any dental problem that requires immediate attention to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is deemed an emergency. If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should call our office for an emergency appointment today!

What is not a dental emergency?

If you have a dental problem that can be managed by yourself for a few days without seeing a dentist, it is not considered a dental emergency.

A chipped or cracked tooth is only considered an emergency if it causes significant pain or results in mouth trauma. Likewise, losing a tooth or filling is generally safe to put off for a few days before scheduling an appointment unless the bleeding doesn’t stop or you have intense pain.

What’s the best way to handle a dental emergency?

In a dental emergency, contacting our office is the best action. Depending on the type of dental emergency you’re experiencing, there are some proven ways to alleviate pain and improve the situation.

• Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a mug of warm water and use it as a mouthwash to help relieve pain.
• If your tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, not the roots, and place it in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist. This will help preserve the tooth and increase the chances of successful re-implantation.
• Try flossing to relieve any gum pressure that may be causing pain.
• Reduce discomfort by using a cold compress on the swelling or painful area.
• Rinse with diluted hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria that may be causing the issue.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate pain until you can see your dentist.

By following these tips, you can effectively manage a dental emergency and get the relief you need until you can see a dental professional.