DENTAL EMERGENCIES

It’s important to know when a dental issue warrants immediate treatment so that urgent matters are addressed in a timely matter, and when unnecessary visits to the emergency room can be avoided. Accidents can happen at all times of the day or night. Some oral injuries may need immediate treatment, while others can wait until our normal business hours.

When are we really dealing with true dental emergency? When is it worth making time to visit us and inconvenience your likely very busy schedule?

Here are some examples of some emergencies we consider urgent:

  • Swelling of the gums or face

  • An unbearable toothache

  • A loose tooth that can been knocked out (partially/entirely) of place by a fall or accident      

  • Broken tooth after a fall/accident

  • Jaw injury

With any of the above, or any situation you worry requires immediate attentions, please contact us so we can assist you.  If we are not available, we advise our patients to go to the ER or call 9-1-1 for immediate attention. Any dental emergency, like an injury to the teeth or gums, can be potentially serious and should not be ignored. Ignoring a dental problem can increase the risk of permanent damage as well as the need for more extensive and expensive treatment down the road.



DEALING WITH SOME COMMON DENTAL EMERGENCIES

KNOCK OUT A TOOTH?

A blow to the face can cause a tooth to be knocked out, which is definitely considered a dental emergency. It is important that you contact our office as soon as possible, as there is a much higher chance of the tooth being saved if it is treated within an hour of being knocked out.

SOME TIPS:

  • Avoid touching the root of the tooth when handling it.

  • Rinse it in milk if the tooth is dirty, but plug the sink first to prevent it from disappearing down the drain.

  • Don't scrub the tooth or remove any pieces of tissue.

  • Gently replace the tooth in its socket, or if that isn't possible, put it in a clean container of milk, saltwater or saliva.

  • Don't wrap the tooth in a napkin or allow it to dry because this reduces the chance that it will reattach.

  • To control the bleeding, place a piece of sterile gauze over the socket and ask your child to bite down on it or hold it in place.

A TOOTH MOVED OUT OF PLACE?

Another emergency that warrants immediate treatment! If you have a tooth that moves out of position, contact our office as soon as possible. On your way to our office, try to reposition the tooth to its original position, but do not force it. Our main goal is to stabilize your tooth and increase its possibility of being healing in the proper position.  

Like a tooth that has been knocked out, the consequences can be the same….root canal or extraction. Splinting is our recourse in this case as well.A TOOTH MOVED OUT OF PLACE?

Another emergency that warrants immediate treatment! If you have a tooth that moves out of position, contact our office as soon as possible. On your way to our office, try to reposition the tooth to its original position, but do not force it. Our main goal is to stabilize your tooth and increase its possibility of being healing in the proper position.  

Like a tooth that has been knocked out, the consequences can be the same….root canal or extraction. Splinting is our recourse in this case as well.

GOT A SEVERE TOOTHACHE AND/OR SWELLING?

Severe tooth pain may require immediate care, so we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible. If you notice any swelling may be caused by an infection, that may lead to serious complications.

We typically recommend taking 800mg of  Ibuprofen every 8 hours with food to help mediate any discomfort. This can also be taken with 500 mg of Tylenol. The tylenol can be taken along side with Ibuprofen (every 8hrs) for ease of dose or it can be staggered every 6hrs.  Depending on the symptoms, we can call in antibiotics to your pharmacy.