Sometimes accidents just happen, even when every precaution has been followed to prevent them. At Tosh Dental Group, we understand how inconvenient and frustrating an accident can be, so we want to be a resource of help and reassurance.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
There are so many potential types of dental emergencies that it would be impossible to list them all, but here are some that are fairly common and need quick attention:
- Cracked or Chipped Teeth
- Dislodged Adult Tooth
- An Intense Toothache
- An Abscess or Swelling
- Bleeding from the Mouth
What to Do During a Dental Emergency?
Timing is critical, so if you are experiencing one of these, call us immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.
Knocked-Out Tooth | If you knocked out a tooth, the sooner it is treated the better. Keep the tooth if you have it, and ideally, place it back into your socket. If you cannot, keep it in your mouth, or next best, in a glass of milk. Yes, that sounds silly, but milk has sugars and vitamins to keep the tooth ‘alive’ for a little bit until it can be placed.
Gum Injuries | Depending on how bad it is, an injury to the gums could also require emergency dental care. This is especially true because a gum injury could lead to an infection, so the sooner you can get professional dental care the better. We recommend giving us a call so we can treat your emergency faster, and be sure to mention that it is an emergency appointment you need!
Profuse Bleeding | If you are bleeding excessively, go to the ER instead of trying to contact us. ERs can help stop the bleeding. We know this can be scary, but staying calm and assessing the situation will help you make the best decision. After you visit the ER, we can help you get to the bottom of the issue and provide more long-term treatment.
Toothaches | Toothaches and swelling, especially when combined, can indicate an infection. Infections are hazardous and can lead to sinus infections, cardiovascular issues, and other complications if not treated. Be sure to listen to your children when they say their tooth hurts. This kind of pain can often wait until the next morning if it is the middle of the night, but we recommend over-the-counter pain relievers until you can see a dentist.
We’ll Help You Stay Calm
During stressful dental emergencies, our calm and friendly staff is here to treat you. Having a friendly face when you are in pain or concerned about your oral welfare can be the difference between a stressful visit and a positive one. Our team will address your concerns quickly, and we will make sure that you feel calm and secure about any treatments we suggest.
While waiting for your appointment, or even while you are on your way to your appointment, here are some tips to stay calm:
- Remember that most medical concerns have a solution or treatment!
- Take some ‘square’ breaths, where you breathe in, hold for the same amount you breathed in, and then release for the same amount of time.
- You can try playing calming music or talking to a loved one about something not emergency-related.
- Think big picture. Most dental concerns are not immediately life-threatening!
We understand that those moments before you can get to the dentist’s office can be stressful, which is why we are here to help in any way we can.
Don’t Wait — Get Emergency Treatment Now
If your dental emergency is life-threatening, then call 911 immediately, but for those non-life-threatening dental emergencies, give us a call. We are here to help you get your smile back to its full health.