Emergency Dentistry

From time to time, patients may face any number of dental emergencies, from acute injuries to the face or jaw to damaged restorations or appliances to severe toothaches or abscesses. Rest assured that we are here to provide the care you need in a dental emergency. In fact, we actually have a dedicated phone line for that purpose. You can call it 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

Patients may be tempted to delay seeking treatment even in the case of a dental emergency, especially if they are plagued by dental anxiety. However, if you put off the appointment, it’s likely that your problem will progress and quite possible that you may need a more invasive intervention as a result. In cases of abscesses or infections, you can also put your overall health at risk if you’re not treated in a timely fashion. We encourage you to contact us immediately if you experience any of the following issues:

• Severe toothache or pain elsewhere in the mouth or jaw
• Chipped or broken tooth
• Lost tooth
• Loose tooth
• Bleeding in the mouth
• Damage to a restoration or appliance
• Signs of infection, such as pus, a strange taste in your mouth that won’t go away or unusual persistent bad breath

We appreciate that you want to have a dental emergency resolved quickly, and when the situation warrants, we are able to accommodate same-day appointments in many cases. Although we will attempt to see you as soon as possible, you may need to take steps at home to manage your symptoms prior to your appointment. We offer the following recommendations of actions to take in different emergencies.

To treat pain associated with a toothache: Over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol and Advil should minimize your discomfort while you are awaiting treatment. Avoid aspirin, though, as it can exacerbate bleeding.

In cases of broken or chipped teeth: Save the broken piece of the tooth, if possible. Wash the area with warm water and use a cold compress to reduce swelling, if necessary.

When a tooth has been knocked loose or dislodged due to an injury: If the tooth remains in your mouth, just gently push it into your gum and let it be until you can get to our office for care. Avoid the temptation to fuss with it! If the tooth has been knocked out of the smile, rinse it off with cool (temperature is very important!) water and place it back in your cheek where the saliva can keep it moist.