What is a Dental Emergency?
Emergencies can happen at any time, and we are here to help. If you require immediate assistance contact your local emergency room.
Our clinic is well-equipped to provide a variety of emergency dental services. We will do our best to provide same-day dental appointments in cases requiring prompt pain control and treatment.
If you're unsure of if you are experiencing a dental emergency, we have outlined a list of common dental emergencies below. If you are experiencing any of these, you need to be treated as soon as possible. Please call us and we will do our best to get you in.
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Swelling, Pain or Discomfort
If you're experiencing pain, discomfort or swelling in your mouth or jaw, please call us as soon as possible.
In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to alleviate pain:
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek on the area where you are feeling pain.
- Take an over-the-counter pain medication.
- If the pain is coming from inside your mouth, use salt water to flush the area that is in pain.
If swelling is affecting your ability to breathe, please seek emergency medical care at a hospital right away.
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Lost Crowns
While crowns are built to last a long time, they can fall off. If this happens, don't panic.
If your crown falls out, rinse it with warm water and place it in a container to take with you to your appointment. Give us a call to book an appointment.
The sooner we get to your crown, the more likely we will be able to reattach it. Ideally, you should see us the same day that your crown falls out; however, sometimes that's not possible. If your exposed tooth is causing you pain, you can cover it with dental wax or cement from the pharmacy until your appointment.
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Lost Fillings
If you have a filling fall out of your tooth, you'll want to see a dentist about it as soon as possible. This filling was used to cover a hole in your tooth. If the hole is left exposed, food and other debris could get trapped, leaving the tooth susceptible to additional decay.
While you wait to get the filling replaced, do your best to keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.
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Chipped or Broken Teeth
If you break or chip a tooth, do your best to find the missing piece and place it in a clean container. Call us to book an appointment, and if you bring the missing piece with you, there's a chance we'll be able to reattach it. Regardless, you'll want us to fix the tooth right away to prevent further damage, discomfort or tooth sensitivity.
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Knocked-Out Teeth
If you have had an entire tooth knocked out, call us. The sooner we can treat you, the better the chances are that we can reattach the tooth.
Do your best to locate the tooth. If you can find it, pick it up by the crown and rinse it in warm water. Then, try to get it back into its socket. If you can get it in, gently bite down and hold it in place.
If you cannot get it back in, place it into a container of milk to preserve it. If you're in pain, use a cold compress on your cheek in the area where the tooth is missing. This can also help reduce swelling.
If the tooth cannot be saved, our clinic offers a number of restorative options, such as bridges and implants, that can be used to fill the gap.
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