Accidents are the most common reason for needing an emergency dentist.
A sudden toothache, a broken tooth, or an injury to your mouth can leave you wondering what to do next. Some dental problems can wait for a regular appointment, while others need attention as soon as possible. Knowing the difference can help you avoid unnecessary discomfort and prevent an already troublesome situation from getting worse.
Not every dental emergency happens because of an accident. Sometimes, a cavity or an infection that started out as a minor concern becomes more serious over time. Brushing and flossing every day, along with regular dental exams, can help catch these problems early. For many patients, that means coming in about every six months, although some people need more frequent visits. If you notice a toothache that won't go away or pain that keeps getting worse, it's a good idea to have it checked rather than waiting to see what happens.
At Northside Dental, we know that dental emergencies don't exactly happen at convenient times. They can interrupt your schedule, cause unexpected expenses, and leave you feeling anxious about what comes next. Our staff is here to listen to your concerns, help you understand your treatment options, and determine what steps should be taken to address the problem. We want you to feel comfortable reaching out when something doesn't seem right. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to discuss your dental concerns or schedule an appointment. Our office is located at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.
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Accidents Do Happen
Accidents are the most common reason for needing an emergency dentist. If an unfortunate accident does occur, the most important thing to do is to stay calm. Once you have assessed your situation and decided that you require assistance, call Northside Dental, even if it is not during business hours. If your tooth is painful, it might be possible to wait until the very next day to seek emergency care. If you have any doubt at all about the severity of your situation, err on the side of caution and seek help. If we are not able to see you immediately, the next option is the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
Tips for Emergency Dental Situations
If you are experiencing mild tooth sensitivity, sore gums, or other minor dental ailments, make an appointment with Northside Dental for an evaluation. Even though it is important to treat these conditions promptly, they are not really emergencies. The conditions below do require emergency care. Here are some tips for handling each one.
Escalating Toothaches
Toothache pain can be overwhelming, making it impossible to sleep, eat, or carry out your daily tasks. Intense tooth pain is most often caused by a dental abscess or an infection, or by a serious amount of decay that has irritated the nerves in your tooth. When your tooth pain does not respond to over-the-counter pain relievers, you can consider it a dental emergency and need to call Northside Dental. Follow these tips until we can see you:
- Rinse your mouth with salt water to kill the bacteria and limit the inflammation.
- Press a cold compress against the outside of your mouth near the sore tooth.
- Use dental floss to remove any food that might be lodged near the sore tooth.
- Apply an over-the-counter numbing gel to the sore tooth and the gums around it.
Never apply aspirin or another pain reliever to your tooth or gums. By doing so, it can irritate the gum tissue and make matters a lot worse. We will examine the tooth and take X-rays to determine the cause of the pain.
A Broken, Cracked, or Chipped Tooth
If you chip or break a tooth, it is important to see us as soon as possible. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely it is that we will be able to reattach the broken piece to your damaged tooth. Save any pieces of the chipped tooth that you can and rinse them gently in warm water. Place them in a cup of milk and bring them when you come in.
If your chipped, cracked, or broken tooth is painful, you can again ease the pain by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Hold a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, and if you are bleeding, bite down on a piece of gauze to slow the bleeding.
Having a Tooth Knocked-Out
Having a tooth knocked out of your mouth can certainly be traumatic, but take a deep breath and remember that your emergency dentist at Northside Dental treats this kind of situation often. If you can see us within an hour, there is a good chance we can re-insert the tooth into its socket and save it.
Focus on the tooth and have someone else place the call. Lift the lost tooth by the crown, not the root, because you do not want to introduce bacteria to the tooth root. If there is any debris or dirt on the tooth, rinse it under some clean, cold water, but do not dry it on anything. Then push it back into its empty socket, making sure that it is facing the right way, and bite down slowly to keep it in place until you reach us. If you cannot get the tooth back into its socket, keep it in a container of milk. We can use wire or a special splint to hold the tooth in place. Over the next few weeks, the bone will fuse to the tooth, and it will be stable once again in your jaw.
A Lost or Damaged Filling
If you chip or crack a filling and do not experience intense pain, you can most likely wait until Northside Dental is open to seek treatment. If you lose a filling completely, you can place sugar-free gum in the empty space. If this keeps you comfortable enough, you can see us to have the filling replaced within a few days. If the pain is intolerable, then you need to contact us promptly so we can insert a new filling.
A Lost Dental Crown
A lost crown is a dental emergency, but like a lost filling, you should be able to put off treatment until we are available. You can apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate any soreness, or you can apply denture glue to the tooth and slip the crown back over it. Never use super glue. If you cannot get the crown to stay on your tooth, just put it in a plastic bag until you come in. Make a timely appointment because putting off treatment may lead to additional damage to the tooth.
Loose Orthodontic Braces Brackets
A loose braces bracket does not need emergent care, but it is a good reason to see Northside Dental as soon as possible. You can use orthodontic wax to hold the loose bracket in place. Also apply some wax over the top of the bracket so that it does not rub on your cheek.
If a wire in your braces breaks off and pokes you in the cheek, this is also an emergency that can wait until the next day. Use a pencil eraser to bend it back against your teeth. Do not cut the wire; it could accidentally get stuck in your tongue, or you might swallow it. Cover the end of the wire with some orthodontic wax to prevent it from rubbing on your cheek.
Oral Injuries
If you suffer an injury to your mouth that results in tissue damage and bleeding, you should go directly to the emergency room. They can stitch up any external cuts and bring in an emergency dentist for any damage to your teeth or oral tissues. Before you reach the emergency room, you can control bleeding by placing pressure on the wounded area with a cold compress. Rinse your mouth with cool water to control any bleeding from internal cuts and to keep the area clean.
Your Comfort and Your Care
At Northside Dental, we know that finding time for dental appointments can be difficult, especially when you have a busy schedule. We do our best to offer convenient appointment times and make each visit as comfortable and efficient as possible. Whether you're coming in for routine care or a specific dental concern, our team is here to help you get the treatment you need. We want to be a dental office that you and your family can rely on for years to come, and we look forward to welcoming you into our practice. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.