Emergency Dentistry

Your Guide to Urgent Dental Care

Recognizing a True Dental Emergency

While some issues can wait for a regular appointment, others require immediate attention to prevent serious complications. You should seek emergency dentistry services if you experience:

• Severe and Persistent Tooth Pain: A throbbing ache that isn't relieved by over-the-counter medication could signal a severe infection or abscess.

• A Knocked-Out Adult Tooth: This is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies.

• A Loose or Misaligned Adult Tooth: An injury can dislodge a tooth from its proper position.

• A Badly Cracked or Broken Tooth: Especially if it's causing severe pain or has sharp fragments.

• An Abscess: A painful, pimple-like swelling on your gums is a sign of infection that can spread.

• Uncontrolled Bleeding from the mouth.

• Significant Swelling in your jaw or face.

First Aid: What to Do Before Your Emergency Appointment

Your immediate actions can significantly impact the outcome.

• For a Knocked-Out Tooth:

  1. Handle the tooth by the crown (top), not the root.

  2. Gently rinse it with milk or water (do not scrub).

  3. Try to reinsert it into the socket. If that's not possible, keep it moist in a container of milk.

  4. Call us immediately. The first hour is critical for saving the tooth.

     
     

• For a Cracked Tooth or Lost Filling/Crown:

  1. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.

  2. If you have a broken piece of tooth or the crown, bring it with you.

     
     

• For a Toothache or Swelling:

  1. Rinse with warm salt water.

  2. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and ease pain.

  3. Do not apply heat or place aspirin directly on the tooth.

What to Expect from Your Emergency Dentistry Visit

When you visit our office for an emergency, our team has two primary goals: to alleviate your pain and provide a lasting solution.

1. Immediate Triage & Pain Relief: We will assess your situation quickly and take immediate steps to alleviate your pain.

2. Accurate Diagnosis: Using an examination and digital X-rays, we will identify the root cause of the emergency.

3. Effective Treatment: We will clearly explain your treatment options and provide the necessary care to resolve the issue, whether that involves saving a tooth, treating an infection, or repairing damage.