What is emergency dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is really about dealing with something that can't comfortably or safely wait for your next routine visit. Instead of coming in for a cleaning or checkup, you're coming in because something hurts, broke, became swollen, or just isn't right. Our first goal is to figure out what's happening, get you comfortable, and then decide how to address it.
What counts as a dental emergency?
Severe pain, significant swelling, trauma to the mouth, uncontrolled bleeding, or a permanent tooth that's been knocked out are all things we want to know about right away. If swelling is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow, that goes beyond a dental office emergency. You should seek immediate emergency medical care.
How can an emergency dentist help with pain, swelling, or a broken tooth?
The first thing we do is figure out why it's happening. We'll examine the area and may take an X-ray when needed. Depending on the problem, treatment could be something relatively simple, or it could require a root canal, extraction, drainage of an infection, or repairing the tooth. The important thing is that we're addressing the cause, not just masking the pain.
What should you do if a tooth is knocked out, cracked, or broken?
If an adult tooth is completely knocked out, this is one of those times when minutes matter. Pick it up by the crown, not the root, and if it's dirty, gently rinse it without scrubbing. If possible, place it back in the socket without forcing it, or keep it moist in milk, and contact a dentist immediately. The sooner a knocked-out permanent tooth can be evaluated and treated, the better the chance of saving it.
For a cracked or broken tooth, save any pieces you can find and call us. And no DIY dentistry. Please put down the superglue.
Can an emergency dentist treat a lost filling or crown?
Absolutely. If a filling or crown comes out, we can evaluate why it happened and determine whether we can replace it, repair it temporarily, or if the tooth needs additional treatment. Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you. And again, no superglue.
When should you call an emergency dentist for a toothache?
If the pain is severe, keeping you awake at night, getting progressively worse, or accompanied by swelling, fever, or pain when biting, call us. I always tell patients, you don't get bonus points for seeing how long you can tolerate a toothache. Usually, the earlier we evaluate the problem, the sooner we can determine what's causing it and what treatment may be needed.
What should you expect during an emergency dental appointment?
First, we're going to listen to what happened and get you comfortable. We'll examine the area and may take an X-ray when appropriate. Then we'll explain what we found, go over your options, and decide together what needs to happen that day.
Sometimes we can complete the treatment immediately, and other times our first priority is simply getting the situation stabilized and planning the next step.
What emergency dental procedures are commonly performed?
It really depends on the emergency. We may repair a broken tooth or filling, recement a crown, treat an infection, perform a root canal, extract a tooth that can't be saved, or stabilize a tooth after an injury. Emergency dentistry isn't one particular procedure. It's getting you the appropriate treatment when you need it.
When might you need an emergency tooth extraction?
An extraction is generally considered when a tooth can't predictably be saved. For example, it may be severely broken, badly decayed, or have another problem that makes saving the tooth impractical. We don't automatically pull a tooth just because it hurts. Whenever possible, we look at whether there's a predictable way to save it first.
When should parents seek emergency dental care for a child?
With children, dental injuries are extremely common. Kids somehow have a talent for falling at exactly the wrong angle. If a child has significant pain, swelling, bleeding, or trauma to the teeth, call the dentist or pediatric dentist right away.
One really important distinction: don't try to put a knocked-out baby tooth back in the socket. A knocked-out permanent tooth, however, is a true time-sensitive dental emergency.
What if you need emergency dental care after hours or on a weekend?
Call your regular dentist first. Even if the office appears closed, many practices have emergency instructions for established patients. If you can't reach them, look for a local office offering same-day or weekend emergency care.
If there's significant facial swelling with difficulty breathing or swallowing, major trauma, or uncontrolled bleeding, seek emergency medical care.
How much does emergency dental care cost?
It really depends on what's going on. An emergency dental exam and X-rays are very different from needing a root canal, crown, or extraction. Insurance coverage also varies. We don't want fear of the unknown to keep someone in pain, though. Call the office, explain what happened, and they can usually give you a better idea of what to expect.
How can you find an emergency dentist near you?
If you already have a dentist, I'd start there because they know you and your dental history. If you're away from home or don't have a dentist, look for a local dental office that specifically offers same-day emergency appointments and call them directly. Tell them exactly what's happening so they can determine how quickly you need to be seen.
What can you do for dental pain while waiting for emergency care?
Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help many patients when they're medically able to take them and when they're used according to the label or their health care provider's instructions. You can also use a cold compress for swelling and avoid chewing on that side.
Please don't put aspirin directly on your tooth or gums. It doesn't cure the toothache, and it can irritate or damage the tissue. Most importantly, pain relief buys time. It doesn't treat whatever is causing the pain.
Understanding your dental care options is an important part of protecting your oral health. Contact us at (551) 383-4441 or email [email protected] with any questions.