We all know that dental emergencies can happen without warning, and they can be very painful and stressful experiences. It’s not only important to have a dentist who is capable of handling emergency cases, but it’s also critical that you know what to do in case of an emergency.
Many dental emergencies can occur without warning, such as a sudden toothache, while other cases are the results of accidents. Car accidents, falls, and contact sports are common causes of dental emergencies like chipped, cracked, or knocked out teeth.
No matter the emergency, it is always a good idea to call your dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. In most cases, emergency rooms are not equipped or able to treat dental emergencies. However, if you’ve broken a bone in your face or jaw or if you can’t stop a wound from bleeding, you should go to an emergency room.
Some examples of dental emergencies:
Toothache
Toothaches can have many causes, and all will need to be addressed by a dentist. After you call to make an appointment, apply a cold compress or ice pack over the sore or swollen area and take over the counter pain reducers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. (Never apply aspirin directly to the gums!)
Chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth is common in many auto and sports accidents. Depending on the extent of the damage to the tooth, it can often be repaired through a variety of methods. In any case, you will want to rinse the area to keep it as clean as possible and see your dentist as soon as possible. Just like with a toothache, apply cold compresses and take over-the-counter pain medication as needed.
Knocked out tooth
Permanent are often knocked out during an impact accident. In some cases, the tooth can be saved and replaced. If you can locate it, handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, and place it into a glass of milk or water to take with you to the dentist. Follow above directions for pain and swelling.
If you have a dental emergency, call (501) 954-9900 24 hours a day. If you leave us a message after normal business hours, we will get back to you as soon as possible to get you fixed up and back on your way.