When to Call the Dentist in an Emergency

As a local dentist, we regularly get calls from patients wondering if they need to come in for an immediate appointment or if a problem can wait a day or two to be addressed. This is a good question, and while the answer changes based on the circumstances, there are certain signs you can watch for that are clear indicators it is time to visit our office right away. For example, if you have a tooth knocked out, you need to call us. Whether it happened while wrestling with your kids or while playing basketball on your lunch break, a knocked out tooth can possibly be saved if you come in right away. Another clear example is if you know that you chipped or cracked your tooth. In these situations, call us and we will schedule you for the first available appointment. Otherwise, here are a few things to try when making this determination:

For a toothache …

Getting a toothache is incredibly common. Typically, this is a sign that you are suffering from tooth decay or an infection that requires treatment. We encourage you to call our office to schedule an appointment to do so. However, before you come in to the dentist, there are certain things you can do to help yourself feel better.

#1 - Brush and floss your teeth.

You may have something stuck in between your teeth or you may have eaten or drunk something that is irritating you. Teeth become more sensitive as you age because the enamel wears off. As it does, drinking a soda or eating a piece of candy could set your teeth on edge and even give you a toothache. Gently brushing your teeth and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash will help you feel better if that is the culprit. Otherwise, it is likely that you do have a health problem and should call for the first available appointment.

#2 - Rinse your mouth.

If you have started to bleed, we recommend that you rinse your mouth with warm water and spit. Pay attention to whether or not anything comes out in your spit. For example, if a full tooth or part of one comes out, you know that you have a problem and need to visit our office immediately. However, if you rinse your mouth out and still cannot tell what is wrong, look inside your mouth with a flashlight or better yet, call our office for an appointment.

#3 - Loose crown or filling.

If you had a dental restoration of any kind and that restoration becomes damaged or loose, you need to call for an urgent appointment. Before placing a veneer or dental crown, the tooth has to be permanently altered by having a portion of the enamel removed. As a result, you will always need a properly secured restoration on that tooth.

Visit Our Dentist Office in an Emergency

Regardless of what your emergency is, you are always welcome here. Call us and let us know what your question is, so we can answer it and make a recommendation as to what you should do next.