Some dental problems require treatment sooner rather than later, which is why our team at Signature Smiles strives to offer patients timely care for their urgent needs. Emergency dental care is often needed if a patient has severe tooth decay or has had an accident that damaged their tooth. To help save the tooth and prevent the issue from getting any worse, our dentists will do their best to make these cases a priority and provide prompt treatment. By doing so, they can help patients relieve their discomfort and ensure the best possible outcome.
- What Is a Dental Emergency?
- Dental Emergency Prevention
- Emergency Dental Services
- At-Home Dental Emergency Treatments
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How Can I Prevent a Dental Emergency?
While some dental emergencies are unavoidable, there are some things patients can do to help limit their chances of experiencing one, such as:
- Practicing good oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits help keep your teeth and gums healthy. A healthy mouth is less likely to develop tooth decay and oral infections, drastically reducing your chances of developing tooth pain.
- Not using your teeth as tools. While it can be tempting to use your teeth to tear open packages or get the lid off of a container, this puts unnecessary wear on your teeth and can cause both immediate and long-term damage, including chips, cracks, and even jaw pain.
- Wearing a mouthguard while playing sports. Mouthguards are designed to protect your teeth while you engage in athletic or other physical recreational activities, such as biking.
- Don’t wait to seek treatment. In some cases, a dental emergency arises because a patient has put off seeking treatment for a known issue. Keeping up with your regular dental check-ups and having concerns treated sooner rather than later can save you time, money, and discomfort in the long run.
What Dental Emergency Services Does Signature Smiles Offer?
The first step in treating any dental emergency is understanding the problem. From there, we will seek to provide you with the most efficient and effective treatment possible in order to relieve your discomfort and/or save your damaged or dislodged tooth. Some of the most common emergency dental services at Signature Smiles include:
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is typically the preferred treatment method in cases where a tooth is severely decayed or damaged. One of our dentists will clear away infected tissue and sterilize the tooth. Once the tooth has been properly cleaned and sterilized, it will be filled and sealed to prevent further bacterial growth. Emergency root canals can often provide rapid relief for patients experiencing tooth pain.
Porcelain Dental Crowns
Porcelain dental crowns are designed to cover and protect your natural tooth in the aftermath of decay or damage. They are often placed after a root canal to provide structural support and further protection. Crowns can also help reinforce a cracked, chipped, or severely worn tooth.
Tooth Extraction
While our priority is generally to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible, there are cases in which a tooth extraction may ultimately prove to be the optimal course of action. Our team will do everything we can to make the process gentle and comfortable, and we offer a number of tooth replacement options that can help restore your smile, including dental implants.
To further promote patient comfort during treatment for a dental emergency, we offer several different forms of sedation dentistry. Contact us today to learn more.
How Can I Treat a Dental Concern at Home?
A dental emergency can be upsetting, but it is important to remain as calm as possible. In many cases, there are steps you can take at home to help reduce discomfort, limit damage, and even increase your chances of saving a dislodged tooth. Our dentists have provided some suggestions for what you can do in common emergency situations prior to seeking professional treatment:
- Knocked-out tooth: If possible, try to gently reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it in place until you can visit a dentist. If this is not an option, you can submerge the tooth in cold milk or gently wrap it in a clean cloth. With timely intervention from a dentist, the knocked-out tooth can often be saved.
- Toothache: If tolerable, you can try to gently floss the area around the aching tooth to remove any food or debris that may be causing pain. Over-the-counter pain medication or an ice-pack may also be able to provide some relief while you arrange to see a dentist.
- Lost filling: Try to keep the filling with you, if possible. Your dentist may be able to put it back in at your appointment. Prior to your dental visit, you can gargle with warm salt water to help keep the area clean and soothe inflammation. Avoid chewing around the area where the filling was.
- Chipped tooth: Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to reduce swelling and remove debris.
- Cracked or fractured tooth: Major cracks or tooth fractures typically occur as a result of dental trauma. You should seek out professional treatment as soon as possible. In the meantime, avoid chewing or placing pressure on the affected tooth. Gently applying a cold compress to your face may provide some relief from swelling.
For more information about dental emergencies or to get in touch with a member of our staff, please contact us today.
