What qualifies as a dental emergency?
When we're looking at dental emergency symptoms, some of the most common ones would be that you're having pain in your teeth or your gums. Another common one would be that you've maybe cracked or broken a tooth or a filling and it's sharp on your tongue or you're having sensitivity from the area. And then the last common one is signs of infection. So if there's an abscess that's going on, some swelling in your mouth, we definitely want to get that checked out as soon as possible. What I would recommend if we can't get in to see you right away at our office, or if it's on the weekend, is to maybe Google something like "emergency dentist near me." That would be a good time to seek emergency dental care.
What should I do if I lose a tooth?
When it comes to having a tooth knocked out in a lost tooth emergency, there are a few things that we can do in terms of trying to save a lost tooth. Number one would be to locate it and find it. Ideally, when you're picking it up from the ground, you want to only grab it by the crown of the tooth, which is the part that usually sticks out into your mouth. You don't want to grab it by the root because that can damage the root. Ideally, then you would assess it to see if there's any dirt or debris on the root, and you'd want to clean that off. Usually, the best solutions that we could use would be using milk, your own saliva, or a saline solution to get any of that debris off. Then, the next most important thing would be, if you can, to re-implant the tooth into the same position that it was in before. The sooner that you get that tooth back into your mouth, the better chance for success we'll have in retaining it in the long run. If you're not able to put it back in, then the next best option would be storing it in a solution, such as milk, saliva, or a saline solution, to help preserve the cells on the root so that we can re-implant it. Once you've done that, try to get in to see a dentist right away. The sooner you get in, the better the prognosis for the tooth. Ideally, we want to get it back in place within 60 minutes from the time it comes out. Those are the steps for knocked-out tooth care to ensure long-term retention of your tooth.
Can you treat a broken tooth in one visit?
When we're looking at a one-visit dental emergency, it really depends on the state of the tooth. For broken tooth treatments, they can range anywhere from smoothing off a small chip to addressing a large portion of the tooth that may require a root canal, a core, and a crown, which can take multiple visits to complete. Emergency repair options vary greatly depending on the individual's situation. The first step is to get you in right away for an assessment. We'll take some x-rays, take some pictures, and then discuss the options that will be best for you.
How do you handle dental emergencies after hours?
When it comes to after-hours emergencies, it mainly depends on the severity of the symptoms. If you can manage it with over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Advil, or by using a gel like Orgel to numb the area, that would be preferred. If the situation is too severe and you're looking for an after-hours emergency dentist, you can search on Google to find someone available. However, it can be very difficult to find someone at night, so another option would be going to the hospital or urgent care, where they can help take care of you and possibly give you a prescription for something stronger. At our office, we always try to have a 24-hour dental care policy. Give us a call and leave a message, and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We aim to see emergencies within 24 hours to provide relief and address pain, with a focus on treatment later on.
What can I do to manage severe tooth pain at home until my appointment?
To relieve severe tooth pain, the main approach is to use painkillers to manage symptoms. Our go-to options are extra-strength Tylenol and extra-strength Advil. If the pain is severe, alternating between the two can provide the benefits of both medications to help relieve the pain more effectively. Additionally, using a gel like Oragel from the pharmacy can numb the area and reduce symptoms. If you need immediate emergency toothache relief, you could go to urgent care or find a 24-hour physician to get a prescription for something stronger. You can also leave us a message at our office, and we'll get back to you the next business day to try to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Those are the main home remedies for tooth pain.
What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency would be anything that you as a patient are very worried about. The primary instances that we handle are when patients have a toothache, an infection and/or swelling, bleeding from their gums, or a cracked filling or crown. Even a dislodged crown is considered an emergency dental situation.
When do I need to see an emergency dentist versus going to an emergency room versus scheduling a regular dental appointment?
An emergency dental visit becomes necessary when you have a toothache, an infection or swelling, a cracked filling, or if something has fallen out of your mouth. If you have any of these concerns, we would want to see you right away to evaluate and address the issue.
You should go to an emergency room if you have large swelling, especially if it's in your neck, as this could potentially restrict your ability to breathe and become a life-threatening situation. If you're starting to develop a fever due to your dental infection, it indicates that the infection is spreading elsewhere in the body and needs immediate attention. Another critical symptom is trismus, which is the inability to open your mouth. If you're unable to open your mouth, it's a sign of a severe infection that requires immediate treatment. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should go to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
For routine visits, you should schedule these when you're not experiencing any pain or any issue. These visits are meant to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, and you can schedule them at any time by simply giving us a call at (204) 817-6768.
Don’t Let a Dental Emergency Ruin Your Day
We know that dental emergencies can happen any time, and often at the most inconvenient times. That’s why we offer emergency dentistry services at Renew Dental in Bridgwater.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency contact Renew Dental today!
Dental Emergencies
We know that a chipped or broken tooth can be scary and/or painful, making eating difficult. That’s why we treat all dental emergencies as soon as possible so you can get the relief you need.
Dental Emergencies cover a wide range of problems including the following:
- Broken Tooth
- Chipped or Cracked Tooth
- Lost Bridge or Crown
- Loose Fillings
- Painful Wisdom Teeth
- Bleeding gums
- Abscess or Infected Teeth
Don’t delay Dental Emergencies any longer!
Timely treatment is crucial for dental emergencies. Ignoring them can lead to complications like severe infections, heightened pain, or fractured teeth, necessitating more complex and costly treatments.
No matter the severity of your dental emergency, you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out to Renew Dental in Bridgwater today to discover our emergency dental services! We’re dedicated to providing swift relief and addressing your needs promptly.
Emergency Services
Dental Diagnosis
Understanding the source of your pain or discomfort is crucial because issues in the mouth often stem from multiple sources. Our dental diagnosis procedures enable our skilled dentists to thoroughly investigate symptoms, pain, or swelling, in order to identify the root cause.
Root Canals
Root Canals are a great way to save your tooth from being removed. You might not think so, but your teeth are also susceptible to infection. When a tooth becomes sick and the pulp becomes infected, the disease can cause pain and spread, causing damage in other areas.
Tooth Extraction
Our main goal in dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth and to help you keep them for as long as possible. There are times, however, when it is in your best interest to have a tooth extracted by a trained dentist or oral surgeon.
Wisdom Teeth
Do you have a problem with your wisdom teeth? If you are experiencing pain or discomfort from impacted, crowded, or infected wisdom teeth it is time to take action!