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.
When an emergency dental situation happens, it is beneficial to have a plan in place. It can be difficult to understand the difference between having a dental issue that does not need to be addressed immediately versus a serious one that needs immediate attention.
A need for an emergency dentist can be the result of an untreated oral health issue that has progressed to the point of being unbearable. To prevent this situation, it is important to practice good oral hygiene habits and to schedule a regular dental exam every six months, at which time we can address problems before they develop. If you do notice an ache or pain that is continuing to get worse, do not wait until it is too late to have the problem looked at.
The understanding and conscientious staff at Northside Dental share a common philosophy and that is to treat you as a person first, as a patient second. We embrace the value of your health, comfort, time, anxiety level, budget, and your lifestyle. We will work with you in the development and implementation of your personalized dental treatment plan and an emergency plan. We also consider our team an important part of your overall health program team. Call us today at 317-848-9838 to schedule your appointment or stop in at 15026 Greyhound Ct. Carmel, IN 46032.
By being prepared and knowing a few tips, it will help you to remain calm and know how to act when and if you might need an emergency dentist. These tips will also help you take the correct steps and avoid creating any unnecessary complications later.
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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, error 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 smaller 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 teeth, 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
Your preventive and proactive dental care is part of the biggest difference when choosing Northside Dental. Our office staff appreciate how inconvenient it is to see the dentist. That is why we will do our absolute best to schedule your dental appointments when it is most convenient for you. We also focus on working together to ensure your appointment goes both quickly and smoothly. Our goal is quite simple, that is to be made your family dentist. We look forward to the opportunity to assist both you and your children in maintaining your oral health with good preventative care. As you and your family enter our clinic, we will welcome you and earn your trust. Call us today at 317-848-9838 to schedule your appointment or stop in at 15026 Greyhound Ct. Carmel, IN 46032.