They can happen when you least expect them to, and they often happen when it’s very inconvenient. Dental emergencies are a fact of life, and when they do occur, knowing how to handle them properly will ensure that your smile is in no immediate danger. That said, you might have questions about dental emergencies and how to go about finding an emergency dentist when you need one. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are circumstantial, but typically involve painful, sudden, or traumatic situations that necessitate immediate treatment. Some common examples include chipped or fractured teeth, damaged or lost dental restorations, displaced teeth, severe toothaches, hypersensitivity, and more. Sometimes these emergencies can result in only minor pain and discomfort and might not need to be treated immediately. Other times, they can lead to potentially life-threatening situations—scenarios including difficulty breathing and uncontrollable bleeding will need to be addressed at an emergency room.
How Can I Quickly Find an Emergency Dentist?
Contacting an emergency dentist should be your top priority upon experiencing a dental emergency; time is of the essence, and often, your smile’s fate depends on your ability to act quickly! However, finding an emergency dentist quickly can be challenging, especially if you’re also dealing with an injury. Here are some steps you can follow:
- Contact your primary dentist and inform them of the situation. If it’s during business hours and your dentist offers emergency dentistry, they will let you know when to come in, depending on the nature of your emergency. They might also provide you with an urgent care number for quicker treatment if they’re unable to see you on short notice. If it’s after-hours and you get their voicemail machine, they might provide additional instructions or direct you elsewhere.
- If your dentist doesn’t offer emergency dentistry, you’re out of town, or if you don’t have a primary dentist, you can check online for a local practitioner. Most dentists have their services listed—and dentists that do offer emergency dentistry typically leave time built into their schedules to handle emergencies.
- For worst-case scenarios, or if you don’t have access to an emergency dentist, your best option might be to visit an emergency room. Keep in mind that this isn’t ideal, as most emergency rooms lack the equipment or staff to properly treat dental emergencies. However, they might be able to provide you with symptom relief, at the very least.
What Should I Do in The Meantime?
Depending on the nature of your emergency, there are often a few things you can do to manage your discomfort in the hours before your appointment. Here are some helpful tips:
- For cracked or broken teeth: Use warm water to rinse out your mouth and apply a cold compress for swelling.
- For displaced teeth: Don’t touch the root; only the crown of the tooth. If you can’t place the tooth back in its socket, store it in a container of milk and apply a cold compress for bleeding.
- For tooth or jaw pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can be used to manage minor discomfort.
- For bleeding or aching gums: Often an indicator of periodontal disease (advanced gum disease), treatment will vary based on the severity.
- For soft tissue injuries: Clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress for bleeding. See a medical professional for severe injuries that require stitches.
Dental emergencies happen, but they’re no reason to panic—your emergency dentist can help! Contacting them promptly will ensure that your smile isn’t in any kind of long-term danger.
About the Author
Dr. Damon Anderson has proudly served patients and families in the Laguna Niguel, CA area for several years. Dr. Anderson received his DDS from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association. His practice is pleased to offer many available services including emergency dentistry. If you or a loved one is suffering from a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to schedule a visit: (949) 643-3129.
