Emergency Appointments

Here is a look at some of the most common dental emergencies and things you can do to help:

Persistent Tooth Pain: A severe toothache that persists after using over-the-counter pain medication is a dental emergency. Contact us right away. In the meantime, floss around the painful area to dislodge trapped food that may be the cause of your discomfort, and rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce inflammation.

Swollen or Painful Gums or Jaw: Swelling and pain of the gums or jaw may indicate an infection requiring immediate care. After contacting our office, rinse with warm salt water, apply cold compresses to the affected area to reduce pain and swelling, and take over-the-counter pain medication to ease your discomfort.

Tooth Abscess: A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms around a tooth’s root or in the gums. It can be painful and can lead to serious complications if not treated. If you see a pimple-like bump on your gums, make sure to contact us for an appointment right away.

Broken or Cracked Tooth: A broken or cracked tooth can be very painful and can lead to further damage to the tooth. Make sure you contact us immediately to get the tooth repaired or replaced. In the meantime, avoid chewing on the affected tooth and take over-the-counter pain medication.

Knocked-Out Tooth: A knocked-out permanent tooth is a time-sensitive dental emergency requiring immediate care. Rinse the tooth with water if it is dirty without scrubbing or touching the root, and try to put it back in its socket as soon as possible. If that’s not possible, carry the tooth in some milk and bring it with you to your emergency appointment.

Loose or Dislodged Tooth: If a tooth is loose or partially dislodged from its socket, bite down gently on clean gauze to keep it in place, and call our office to schedule an appointment. We will do everything we can to save your tooth.

Lost or Damaged Crown or Filling: If you lose or break a dental restoration like a crown or filling, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible. Meanwhile, you can cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement or sugar-free gum to prevent further damage.

Soft Tissue Injury: If you have a cut lip or tongue, place gentle pressure to stop the bleeding and give us a call. If you have heavy bleeding that you cannot control, please head to your nearest hospital emergency room for prompt care.