Most of the time, dental problems can be taken care of during normal office hours with a scheduled appointment. Sometimes, however, your dental issue may be an emergency and may need to be addressed immediately. So how do you know if your problem is an dental emergency?
Severe pain in your tooth or gum that isn’t controlled with over-the-counter pain medication is typically cause for an emergency dental visit. Even if we aren’t able to completely correct the issue, we can treat your problem and prescribe medication to reduce swelling, pain and infection, especially if you have an abscess.
If your tooth has been chipped, broken or partially dislodged, you’ll want to see us as soon as possible. Use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help reduce or control any swelling and call us quickly. If your tooth has been completely knocked out, your first step will be to gently rinse it off and try to seat it back into place. If you can’t reinsert your tooth in its socket, place it in a small container of milk and bring it with you to your emergency appointment. Time is of the essence in this situation!
If you have lost a filling or a crown, use an over-the-counter temporary dental cement to fill or reattach the crown and call us as soon as possible. If you’re ever unsure if your issue is an emergency, don’t hesitate to call! We’ll make sure you get the best care possible.
