Emergency Dental Care
In the event of a dental emergency, please call our office as soon as possible to let us know.
Possible dental emergencies could be:
Severe cavity
Cavities won’t cause pain until they have gotten to the point where you may be in danger of losing a tooth. For this reason, a cavity that causes a toothache should be treated immediately. Contact our office if you find yourself in this situation. Avoid doing anything that may aggravate the tooth (such as exposing it to extreme temperatures). An over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or aspirin may help with the pain in the meantime. Getting fast treatment can help save the tooth and prevent damage to other areas of the mouth.
Knocked out (avulsed) tooth
If a tooth has been knocked out, you should make sure you handle it by the crown, not the root, in order to avoid damaging it. It’s best to reinsert it into the socket if possible, otherwise, place it in milk, saline or a moistened paper towel and bring it with you. Time is crucial when it comes to saving the tooth, so be sure to see the dentist within 30 minutes to an hour if at all possible.
Lost filling
A filling that has fallen out should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent infection of the interior of the tooth.
Abscess
A bacterial infection can cause an abscess at the base or side of the tooth. These can happen because of untreated cavities or injury to the tooth, and they will not go away without treatment. Tylenol or aspirin can be taken for the pain, but do not place it directly on the tooth or gums as this may cause damage to the tissue.
Broken jaw
A broken or fractured jaw is a serious injury and should be treated immediately. If you are not able to reach someone at our office, go to the ER immediately.