You wake up in the morning with a sudden toothache. You look in the mirror and notice swelling. This can be scary, but don’t worry. Your emergency dentist in Lindenhurst is here to help, and we set aside time in our schedule to accommodate toothaches and other dental emergencies.
When you’re with us, we promise gentle care and leading-edge treatment to restore your dental health and well-being.
This blog covers the following:
- What Is a Dental Emergency?
- Common Dental Emergencies We Treat
- Not Sure If it’s a Dental Emergency? Call Us Anyway
- How Pearly Place Dental Handles Dental Emergencies
- Preventing Dental Emergencies
If you have further questions about emergency dentistry, don’t hesitate to call us.
What Is a Dental Emergency
A dental emergency can mean many things, but any situation that puts your dental health at risk or causes you pain is a dental emergency.
Emergencies happen for various reasons. For example, you can sustain a sudden injury to the tooth or jaw while playing sports or at work. You can also experience a toothache that starts as mild discomfort but escalates as the hours pass.
When you suspect a dental emergency, it’s vital to contact your emergency dentist for guidance. Failure to treat or self-medicating can cost you a tooth or lead to costly and long-term care later.
The team at Pearly Place Dental strives to provide you with the best possible care for your long-term smile health.
Common Dental Emergencies We Treat
It’s impossible to imagine every potential scenario, but the common dental emergencies we see most often include:
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth does not mean the end of your smile. In fact, your dentist can sometimes reset the tooth into the gum if they intervene quickly. If the tooth cannot be saved, we offer tooth replacement options to restore your smile.
If you knock out a tooth, handle it carefully, avoiding the roots. Please place it in a cup of saliva or milk until you see the dentist.
Severe Tooth Pain
Severe tooth pain is a sign of infection. However, it’s vital to visit us for an assessment and diagnosis. Failure to treat can result in tooth loss or the spread of infection.
We use gentle root canal therapy to remove the infection, ease your pain, and save the tooth.
Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth
A small chip may not be a dental emergency, especially if you don’t feel pain. However, it is essential to keep the tooth clean until you see the dentist.
Significant breaks, cracks, and chips are dental emergencies requiring prompt care. To restore these teeth, we offer a range of options, including bonding, dental crowns, and other treatments.
Dental Abscess or Swelling
Infections are often painful, and they put you at risk. If you notice tooth pain, swelling, or discharge from a blister on the gum, it’s crucial to seek immediate treatment with your dentist.
Lost or Loose Fillings, Crowns, or Restorations
Lost or loose fillings, crowns, restorations, and some prosthetics put your oral health at risk. Additionally, broken prosthetics can make it difficult or impossible to chew food.
Your dentist can assess your restoration or prosthetic for replacement or repair.
Bleeding That Won’t Stop
Severe bleeding in the oral tissues (gums, cheeks, tongue, etc.) needs prompt assessment in our dental office. However, if you’ve endured a cranial or body trauma, such as a fall or accident, it’s vital to visit the emergency room first. You can contact us after you’ve been declared safe.
Not Sure If it’s a Dental Emergency? Call Us Anyway
You notice an oral health change but aren’t sure what to make of it. You see a discolored tooth when brushing and flossing that wasn’t there last week. What to do?
Yes, there are many potential dental emergencies that can be difficult to spot unless they are obvious, such as swelling or a severe toothache.
Fortunately, you can contact our dental office for guidance and support. If you’re unsure, a team member can assess your symptoms and provide guidance accordingly.
How Pearly Place Dental Handles Dental Emergencies
First, we would like you to come in as soon as possible for an assessment and diagnosis. If you’re in pain, we work fast to treat or stabilize your situation.
Examples of treatment may include, but are not limited to:
- Root Canal Therapy
- Tooth-Colored Restorations (Repair or Replacement)
- Plans for Tooth Replacement
We can complete some emergency treatments during a single office visit, but others may require multiple appointments. However, we will take measures to ensure your comfort during and following your initial emergency dental visit.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
Most dental emergencies are tooth root infections. This means bacteria penetrated the tooth’s enamel and entered the chamber that houses nerves and pulp. You can lower your root infection risks through:
- Regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings
- Brushing and flossing at least twice daily
- Keeping your mouth hydrated
- Avoiding or eliminating sugary/acidic foods and drinks
- Wearing a mouthguard during sports
- Wearing a nightguard if you have bruxism (teeth grinding)
To avoid oral injuries, always protect your mouth during rough play and always wear your nightguard to prevent tooth fractures and loss.
When brushing your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and spend time clearing debris from all tooth surfaces. When you floss, always use fresh sections of string as you move across your smile.
Additionally, regular dental care enables your Lindenhurst dentist to detect oral health issues in their early stages, before they cause emergency pain and swelling. For example, an untreated cavity can penetrate the tooth root, leaving you with an infection. Cavities can also cause tooth crumbling and loss.
Teeth cleanings eliminate tartar and bacteria, which are the primary causes of most tooth infections and decay. Your toothbrush and floss are not enough, but they should work in conjunction with regular dental cleanings.
When in Doubt, Don’t Wait—Call Pearly Place Dental
We see most emergencies on the same day and set aside time in our schedule to accommodate our valued patients. If you have a toothache or other oral health concern, contact a dental team member as soon as possible for guidance.
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