You may need emergency care if your tooth starts to hurt in the middle of the night, it becomes damaged during softball, or your face starts to swell. You never know when an emergency will strike, and if it does, there is no time to wait a week for an appointment to open up. That's why we offer the extended hours and last minute appointments our patients need to feel better quickly.
There are certain things you can do to avoid many dental emergencies. This includes practicing good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing throughout the day and getting your teeth cleaned twice a year. This will help your teeth to be in good condition so that they are stronger. Additionally, you can wear a mouth guard while playing sports in order to protect your tooth from a flying ball or elbow jab. By doing so, you may prevent some common injuries and the need for a quick trip to the dentist.
There are, however, many times where patients that do have healthy teeth still have a need for emergency care. Here are some common reasons why you may need a fast appointment along with the signs to watch for.
Swelling in your face. If your notice that your jaw or face becomes swollen, schedule an immediate dental appointment. This could be caused by a dental abscess; a dangerous condition to leave alone. An abscess is a severe infection and can make you sick. In order to treat it, we have to drain the fluid so that the healing process can begin.
Massive pain. If your teeth are in severe pain, you may have a bad cavity or an infection. By examining your teeth, we can determine what the problem is and how best to treat it. This may require a root canal and if so we can complete the procedure while keeping you entirely comfortable.
Bleeding that won't stop. The mouth is a sensitive area and if you start to bleed, give us a call. We can look for the source of the bleeding and provide treatment. Make sure to avoid aspirin since this can make it difficult for the blood to clot.
Swollen and painful gums. If your gums start to hurt, swell and bleed you may have gum disease or a condition called pericoronitis. We can treat it by removing bacteria from under your gums or cutting away the extra gum tissue that is creating your pericoronitis. This will help you to start feeling better and eliminate the symptoms.
Broken tooth. If you break or chip your tooth, come see us right away so that we can restore it. We may use a crown or veneer to do so. Come in as soon as possible so that your tooth won't hurt or become infected.
Missing crown. If you have a crown that falls off, we can replace it right away so that your tooth isn't exposed to air, food, or any bacteria.
We provide emergency care and welcome your calls regardless of when the emergency strikes.
