Do you need an emergency dentist?

Severe tooth pain (toothache) is a very common dental emergency. It's often a sign of infection in or around a tooth, although pressure from wisdom teeth can sometimes reach that point where they severe tooth pain.

Advil can sometimes be effective in comforting pain. At the first hint of discomfort, you should call us to schedule an appointment at our emergency dental clinic to clear out the infection and prevent the need for tooth extraction in the future.

If you have a chipped tooth but aren't experiencing much dental pain, this usually doesn't constitute a dental emergency and you can wait a few days to see a dentist. However, it is important to be careful while chewing so as not to chip it more.

We may simply be able to smooth the chip out, or add some composite filling material to repair the tooth. A cracked or fractured tooth is a serious oral health issue constituting a dental emergency. Cracked or broken teeth usually suggest that damage has occurred to the inside of the tooth as well as to the outside. Severe fractures can be so extreme that the tooth cannot be saved. If you suffer a fractured tooth, call immediately for an emergency dental appointment and follow these steps:

1. Clean your mouth out by gently rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
2. If the fracture is caused by facial trauma, apply a cold compress to the area to minimize any swelling.
3. Take acetaminophen (not aspirin) according to the package directions to alleviate pain.
4. Never apply a painkiller to the gum because it can burn the gum tissue. This includes Orajel, which often is marketed for these types of procedures.

An x-ray will be necessary in order for our dentist to properly diagnose the condition of your tooth. If the soft tissue inside of the tooth (the tooth pulp) is damaged, your tooth may need a root canal. If the pulp is not damaged, the tooth might only require a crown.

Having a temporary crown come off is usually doesn't call for emergency dental services. However, it is important to put it back in place so that the tooth stays in its original position until you can see your dentist. A temporary crown can easily be put back onto your tooth by placing Vaseline, toothpaste, or even a very small amount of denture adhesive into the temporary crown and placing it onto your tooth. Try putting your crown in first and note how it fits into place. Once you are comfortable with the fit, apply adhesive into the temporary and place it properly on your tooth. Bite down firmly onto a dry washcloth, applying even pressure to the temporary. After a few minutes, clean off any excess adhesive you can see. You should schedule an appointment with us within the next few days to have it properly re-cemented.

Any type of injury inside the mouth, such as puncture wounds, lacerations and tears to the lips, cheeks, mouth and tongue, are considered tissue injuries and require emergency dental care. If you experience any type of tissue injury, it is important to clean the area immediately with warm water.

If the bleeding is coming from the tongue, gently pull the tongue forward and place pressure on the wound using gauze. You should get to a nearby hospital emergency room as quickly as possible, as they're typically better-equipped to treat a tongue wound than an emergency dental clinic.

To alleviate any type of facial pain associated with tissue injury, you can take acetaminophen as directed on the package label. Never take aspirin or ibuprofen for a dental emergency because they are anticoagulants which could cause excessive bleeding.

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires urgent attention. If the appropriate emergency steps are followed immediately after the tooth has been knocked out, the chances are very good that the tooth can be reinserted and preserved.

1. Pick up the tooth by the top (crown) of the tooth. Do not touch the root(s) of the tooth.
2. Rinse the tooth off very gently to ensure that it’s clean. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue attached to it. Be sure to place a towel or washcloth in the sink so that the tooth does not go down the drain.
3. If you can, gently place the tooth back into the socket. Hold it gently in place while trying to bite down.
4. If you can’t place the tooth back in the socket, put the tooth in a small container or in a cup of milk. Note that the latter is preferable.
5. Call us right away! Getting to a dental clinic quickly with your tooth – in addition to following the steps above – is crucial for saving the knocked-out tooth. The longer you wait to re-implant the tooth in its socket, the less chance you have of the tooth “taking” and remaining viable.

If you have an adult tooth that is loose or out of alignment, you should call for an emergency appointment right away. Even if it isn't causing a lot of mouth or tooth pain, it counts as a dental emergency since you may be at risk of losing the tooth if it isn't treated quickly.

In the meantime, you can try to put the tooth back in its original position using your finger with very light pressure. Do not try and force it. You can bite down to keep the tooth from moving.

Basically, if you have a dental problem that requires immediate treatment in order to save a tooth, stop ongoing tissue bleeding or alleviate severe pain, you should seek emergency dental care. A severe infection or abscess in the mouth can be life threatening and should be dealt with immediately.