If you or a loved one is in a lot of pain because of a severe toothache or dental injury, the last thing you want to hear is that your dentist can’t see you for a few days. Thankfully, at the DentCare Dental Center, we don’t make emergencies wait! We’re happy to offer same-day appointments so we can get patients out of pain and put them on the road to recovery as soon as possible. And, thanks to our in-house dental lab, we’re able to complete many restorative services in a single appointment.
It can be tough to know whether or not your situation is a dental emergency that requires immediate care, but we’ll make things nice and simple for you: if you even think you’re experiencing a dental emergency, go ahead and call our office. Once you’ve explained your symptoms, our team will schedule you for an appointment as soon as possible if necessary and walk you through some first-aid tips. In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to take control during common dental emergencies:
After you have rinsed and flossed around the tooth, if the pain continues, go ahead and take an over-the-counter medication. A cold compress or rinsing with warm salt water can provide some temporary relief as well, but do NOT place an aspirin directly on the gums, as this can cause a chemical burn.
Can you find any pieces of the tooth? If so, pick them up, put them in a safe container, and remember to bring them to our office. Some slight pressure and a clean rag or gauze can help stop any bleeding, and use a cold compress to control swelling. Cover the tooth with some sugarless gum to smooth out a rough edge.
Pick up the tooth while only touching the crown (upper portion), rinse it gently with some water, and place it under the tongue. This will help keep the tooth alive until you can see us, which ideally, should be within an hour or so of the incident. This will give us the best possible chance of replanting it.
After cleaning off the restoration, attempt to place it back onto the tooth, securing it with a dab of toothpaste or dental cement (which you’ll find at your local pharmacy). This is just a quick fix, and you should still come see us for a full repair, otherwise, the tooth could develop additional damage or decay.
As with any dental problem, prevention is always the best approach, especially when it comes to emergencies! Be sure to follow these simple tips to avoid a surprise trip to the dentist:
Just like medical emergencies, the cost of treating a dental emergency will be based entirely on the type and severity of a patient’s injury. One thing that applies universally, however, is that acting fast is always best for both your smile and your wallet. Having an emergency treated quickly will reduce the associated pain, prevent a problem from becoming worse, and likely allow for more conservative treatment, leading to a lower cost and better outcome.