What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Any type of immediate pain, infection that suddenly causes your face to swell, get a headache, can cause a fever, difficulty breathing, swallowing, a fractured tooth, or a broken restoration. Immediate gum issues, sudden inflammation, or pain in your gums all constitute a dental emergency.
What should you do if your emergency involves losing a tooth?
If your tooth got knocked out or broke, put it in a glass of milk immediately and call the dentist. When a tooth falls out or is knocked out, there's a good possibility we can re-implant it. The longer it's exposed to air, the less likely it can be re-implanted. Milk is non-acidic and helps preserve the tooth, unlike water, which can kill the tooth.
Can you treat a broken tooth in one visit?
It depends on the type of break. If the break doesn't involve a nerve, just a part of the tooth breaking off, we can treat it in one visit by building the tooth back up or preparing it for a crown. If it involves a crown or a root canal, it will take more than one visit, but usually no more than two visits.
How do you handle dental emergencies after hours?
If your emergency happens after hours, call our office. We have an option to connect you to me, Dr. Jones. I always have my phone on, even in the middle of the night, and I will answer and respond to provide immediate help.
What can you do to manage severe toothache at home?
If you're not able to come in right away, take Tylenol and Advil together. This combination gives stronger pain control as they chemically react with one another. Take one Tylenol with three Advil for effective pain management. Ora-Gel can help numb the pain but doesn't get rid of it as effectively as the Advil-Tylenol combination.
When you have a dental emergency — whether it’s caused by a sudden accident or chronic disease — your teeth and/or the tissues of the mouth that surround them need to receive proper care right away. As with any type of medical emergency, it’s important to be aware, before you’re actually in the situation, of what you can do to ensure the best outcome.
Tooth Pain
Acute or persistent tooth pain always signals a need for an urgent visit to the dental office.
Gum Emergencies
Injuries and infections involving the soft tissues of the mouth may also require emergency treatment.
Traumatic Dental Injuries
Traumatic dental injuries can occur in people of all ages and activity levels.
Orthodontic Emergencies
Although there can be discomfort associated with orthodontic treatment, there are only a few true orthodontic emergencies.