Emergency Dentist

• A toothache: Did you brush, rinse, and floss and it still hurts?
• Your tooth was knocked out.
• Gum/ tongue / cheek injuries: Especially when the bleeding will not stop.
• Broken / loose braces: Call your orthodontist immediately.
• Chipped / broken teeth: If the chip is significant, your tooth is cracked, or your tooth is in pieces.
• You lost a filling or crown.
• Your tooth is loose.
• Abscess: Do you have a bacteria infection? Infections may spread and have dire consequences for your overall health.

More Common Dental Emergencies

Sports accidents traffic collisions are the leading causes of tooth injuries, according to the American Dental Association. They can occur at any time despite an individual’s best efforts to stay safe. Often, such accidents require emergency appointments to repair the damage done when a tooth becomes damaged or gets knocked out. If standard protective equipment fails and a dental emergency occurs, it may need to be corrected immediately.

Another factor of dental emergencies is severe and sudden toothaches. The pain may be due to a small cavity that has grown into a large one or gum disease that has receded the gums and exposed tooth roots. Both can be excruciating and need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Untreated infections of the mouth can create abscesses, which can also be responsible for intense dental pain. A serious infection is considered an emergency being that it may require oral surgery to remove the damage.

How To Relieve Oral Pain

Applying a cold compresses to the area where oral pain is originating is a good first step. In addition to that, Dr. Fattah can help pinpoint the exact cause of oral pain, treat it, and prescribe medication to help ease the symptoms. Medication can continue after treatment and at home, and utilizing ice packs can aid in preventing swelling.

Q. What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

A. Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap — use only water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva or water. Get to the Emergency Dentist immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

Q. What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?

A. Contact your emergency dental office as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.

Q. What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

A. Contact your Dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dental office.

Q. What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A. You need immediate medical attention. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team might be able to reach you faster than you can get to the hospital. A severe head injury can be life-threatening.

Q. What if my child has a toothache?

A. Call our office immediately. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication, dosed according to your child’s weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.