We work hard to keep your smile healthy and complete with routine preventive care, but there is no way to completely prevent a dental emergency. If an urgent situation pops up — like a broken tooth, toothache, or anything else that just does not feel quite right — you can take comfort knowing the team at Capital Smiles has you covered with quality emergency care. Call us right away and we will have you out of pain and on with your life as soon as possible!
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Dr. Page are well equipped to handle the majority of dental emergencies that our patients experience. There are some times, however, when you should head to the emergency room. If you are bleeding profusely, have broken a bone in your jaw, or are experiencing severe swelling, do not hesitate to seek emergency medical attention at your local emergency room.
Toothaches
Healthy teeth don’t hurt. If you have a persistent ache in your tooth, call our office right away for treatment. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as a temporary solution. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water every couple of hours can also provide soothing relief for an aching tooth.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
A minor chip in the tooth is not an emergency, but a larger break may be. Either way, call our office as soon as you have controlled the situation so we can determine how urgently you need an appointment. To ensure there are no small shards of tooth enamel remaining in the mouth, rinse with warm water and spit. Collect and store any larger pieces for possible reattachment.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Call our office right away if a tooth has been completely knocked out. Getting professional attention within one hour is crucial for preserving the tooth. Right after it is knocked out, rinse it with warm water and store it either in the empty socket or in a cup of milk or bottled water until you can reach our office.
Lost Filling/Crown
You may be able to temporarily reattach a lost filling or crown with toothpaste or a denture adhesive. Pharmacies also sell a paste specifically for reattaching a broken filling or crown. Call our office and we can book an appointment as soon as possible to repair the restoration.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Of course, the best way to handle a dental emergency is to keep one from occurring in the first place. You can protect your smile with routine preventive care, like excellent oral hygiene at home (brushing for two minutes, twice a day and flossing daily) and visiting our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning. If you play contact sports or grind your teeth at night, wearing a customized mouthguard is also crucial for protecting your smile.
Root Canals
The treatment that is right for your dental emergency will depend on what has occurred; many times, a root canal is the best way to heal infection while preserving the natural tooth. Dr. Page may recommend this method for a severe toothache or badly damaged tooth. Thanks to helpful anesthesia, state-of-the-art technology and our calm, professional approach, you will relax all the way through the root canal procedure.
Tooth Extractions
If a tooth cannot be saved with a root canal, a tooth extraction will likely be considered as a last resort. This approach allows us to remove the damaged tooth while preserving the health of those that are around it. We will begin to explore replacement options right away if the tooth is necessary for proper oral function to ensure that you do not spend any time enduring the difficulty of missing teeth.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Treating a dental emergency will cost something, but it is far more cost effective to seek a solution from your dentist than it is to ignore the issue. Left untreated, a damaged or aching tooth will only get worse, ultimately causing severe issues with your oral health and even potentially affecting your overall wellbeing. The next time you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary with your teeth or gums, pay attention — and then call our office to get your smile back on track!