What is emergency dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is an area of dental practice focused on addressing acute care issues. It allows you to get the care you need, when you need it.
While many dental issues can wait to be seen during a normally scheduled appointment, some situations require immediate care. If you feel you can’t wait to see your dentist during a routine dental visit, emergency dentistry might be the right fit for your needs.
Some of the issues seen during emergency dental visits include:
- Lacerations or abrasions to the tongue, inner cheeks, lips, or other soft oral tissues
- Cracked or chipped tooth
- Broken tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Object lodged in tooth or gum tissue
- Severe dental pain
- Painful, swollen gum tissue
- Swelling in your jaw
- Signs of tooth or gum infection
If you are uncertain whether your dental issue is an emergency, call Arcadia Dentistry to explain your symptoms and determine the right course of action.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
If you sustain a dental emergency during a traumatic accident or sports injury, your first step should be to secure your immediate safety. Try to stay calm, and perform a quick self-assessment. If you have uncontrolled bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, or clearly broken bones, call for emergency medical treatment.
If your mouth is bleeding, bite down on a piece of gauze or clean cloth. Ice packs can help reduce swelling in your jaw. If you feel faint or dizzy, have someone else drive you home or to Arcadia Dentistry.
How should I respond to a knocked-out tooth?
A knocked-out or avulsed tooth is among the most common types of dental emergencies. Knowing how to respond can mean the difference between saving or losing the tooth.
Begin by locating the tooth. Pick it up carefully, avoiding touching the root portion. The area of the tooth that sits below the gumline is covered in a layer of living cells. Disrupting those cells can make reimplantation impossible.
You can remove any dirt or debris by quickly rinsing the tooth in a gentle stream of warm water. If possible, place the tooth back into its socket, and bite down on cloth or gauze to hold it in place. You can also place the tooth in the space between your cheek and gum tissue to keep it moist. Placing it in a small container with lukewarm milk is also an option.
Call Arcadia Dentistry as soon as possible to determine when to come in. While there are no guarantees, the experienced practitioners at Arcadia Dentistry make every effort to save your tooth.
If you need emergency dentistry services, call the office right away. Online scheduling is available for less time-sensitive booking needs.
