A dental emergency can happen at any time of day or night, but they often seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. In such circumstances, you will need to call an emergency dentist so that you can be treated as quickly as possible. By doing so, you will have the best chance for a successful outcome.
Call our office right away so that we can schedule an appointment for you. The longer that you wait to call, the harder it will be to save a tooth that has been knocked out, for example. If you do not feel up to talking on the phone, have someone else make the call for you.
If you have had a tooth knocked out, it is important to get treatment as quickly as possible. If you come in to our office within 30 minutes, we can probably reinsert your tooth and save it. If you delay, the odds of a successful outcome go down significantly.
Be sure to pick up the tooth by the crown, rather than the root. Rinse it gently with a saline solution. Do not scrub it or remove any tissue that is attached. Try to put the tooth back in the socket and bite down gently.
If the tooth will not go back into the socket, put it in a small amount of milk to preserve it. Bring the tooth with you to our office so that the dentist can reinsert it into the socket.
Take painkillers if you are experiencing a great deal of pain and discomfort. Applying an ice pack to the afflicted area can also help. Do not put any sort of painkiller directly on the gum or tooth, however.
In a dental emergency, time is of the essence. Call our office right away so that we can see you as soon as possible.