Dental emergencies always happen at the moments when you least expect them to, making them shocking and stressful to handle. As long as you have the phone number of a trusted emergency dentist nearby on-hand, like Bell Road Dentistry, then you can receive the quick, effective treatment you need without having to sit in pain. If you knocked-out a permanent tooth, lost a restoration, or have a severe toothache, contact us immediately so we can schedule an appointment for as soon as possible.
If you find yourself in the midst of dealing with a dental emergency, the first step you should always take is to call our office immediately after the accident. Our team will do everything possible to fit you in the same day you call. If we’re not open, be sure to leave a message so we can get back to you the next day we are. Below, we’ve included some helpful tips and information on how to handle the most common emergencies until you reach our office.
Toothaches are often a sign of an infection developing inside of your tooth. To help ease the pain, you can take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. If you notice any swelling, placing a cold compress on the area can help it come down as well as ease your discomfort. Just be sure to place the compress on for 10 minutes at a time, leaving it off for 10 minutes as well.
If you’re able to find your tooth, pick it up, rinse it off, and store it in a container to bring with you to your appointment. If the broken-off portion of the tooth has created a jagged edge, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over the area to keep it from damaging the inside of your cheek or lip.
Time is of the essence, so quickly locate and pick up your knocked-out tooth. Be sure to only handle it by the biting surface, not the roots and gently rinse it under cool water. Store it in a sealable container of milk or salt water to keep it viable and bring it to your appointment with you.
If you’re able to locate the filling or crown, pick it up and rinse it under a cool stream of water. You can temporarily secure it back on your tooth using a dab of toothpaste or denture adhesive. Just keep in mind that this isn’t a permanent solution, and in order to prevent an infection from developing, you’ll need to have a professional restore or replace the restoration.
Root canal therapy is a misunderstood procedure that many people are afraid to hear that they need. If you have a severe toothache and are suffering from a dental infection, root canal therapy can help eliminate your pain and preserve your natural tooth, keeping you from needing an even more invasive treatment like a tooth extraction. The procedure is virtually pain-free, and it will allow you to continue enjoying a complete and healthy smile for years to come!
Even though you can’t prevent an accident from happening, there are some ways you can reduce your risk of experiencing a dental emergency, including:
Avoid chewing on hard or sticky foods
Don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages
Maintain a good at-home oral hygiene routine
Visit our team regularly for checkups and cleanings
Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth
Protect your teeth if you play sports
For severe dental damage or infection, we may recommend extracting a tooth. Our team at Bell Road Dentistry does everything in our power to help you preserve your natural teeth, but unfortunately, in some situations, the only way to do that is to remove one. Fortunately, we offer a wide variety of customized tooth replacement treatments so you don’t have to live with a gap in your smile.
When you get to our office, we’ll conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and take X-rays to determine the underlying issue. Once we diagnose the problem, we’ll be able to create a treatment plan to address it. Before we move forward with any procedures, we’ll walk you through all of your options and financing to make sure that you have the details you need to feel confident in your care. If you have any questions, we’re more than happy to address them during your visit!
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Office Hours
Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
