Emergency Dental Services

Crowns are designed to be quite durable, but with the right force, they can become damaged or broken. They can even fall out or be knocked out as a result of impact. If this happens to you, don't panic, just give us a call at our dental office as soon as possible.

Ideally, you should receive dental care the day your crown falls off. Your crown is used to cover a large hole in the tooth so if the crown is no longer attached, the nerves and pulp within the tooth may be exposed, resulting in sensitivity. If your uncovered tooth is causing you discomfort, you can cover it with a temporary dental cement or wax from a pharmacy to alleviate some of the discomfort and sensitivity you might be feeling.

To save yourself time and money, you will want to try to find your lost crown. If you do locate it, rinse it with warm water, and place it in a sealed container to bring to your appointment. In many situations, your dentist may be able to reattach the crown, saving you the time and money associated with having a new one created.

If you have a filling that falls out, call us to make an appointment as soon as possible. A filling is used to cover a hole created by a cavity, so if that hole is no longer covered, food and debris can become trapped. As a result, your tooth will become susceptible to tooth decay.

While you wait for your dentist appointment, keep the area where your filling used to be as clean as possible and avoid chewing on the affected side.

If you have a chipped or broken tooth, try to find the missing piece. Once located, put it in a clean, dry container to bring to your appointment. Your dentist can potentially reattach it. Whether the piece is found or not, call our office right away to have your damaged tooth repaired.

If your tooth gets knocked out, call our office as soon as possible. The sooner you can be treated after a tooth has been knocked out, the better the chance are that your dentist will be able to reattach it.

If you can find your knocked-out tooth, rinse it off but make sure to hold it by the crown – never by the roots – and re-insert it into your tooth socket and gently bite down once it is in its place. If you are unable to reinsert the tooth, try to keep it moist by putting it in a glass of milk or holding it in your mouth until you arrive at your office.

If you are in a lot of pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication to help reduce any discomfort. If you are bleeding, do not take aspirin, as this can thin your blood and increase bleeding. Apply a cold compress against your cheek where your tooth has been fractured. This will help reduce your pain and swelling.

If your tooth cannot be saved, we offer restorative treatment options, such as bridges, that can be used to replace your missing tooth.

If you are experiencing sudden swelling in the mouth or neck or severe pain in or around your mouth, call us right away to book an examination. In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to try to reduce your pain:

• Apply a cold compress to the area where you are feeling pain.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication.
• Use salt water to flush the area that is in pain.

Please note that if the swelling is impacting your ability to breathe, seek emergency medical care at a hospital as soon as possible.

Injuries to the soft tissues of your mouth, including your tongue, cheeks, gums and lips, can result in a lot of bleeding. If this happens, you should:

• Rinse your mouth with a mild salt-water solution.
• Apply pressure to the wound with a moistened gauze or caffeinated tea bag. Hold in place for 15 to 20 minutes. Tea contains tannic acid, which helps shrink blood vessels and slow bleeding.
• Hold a cold compress to the outside of your mouth or cheek in the affected area for up to 10 minutes to control bleeding and relieve pain.

If the bleeding doesn’t slow down or stop, see your dentist immediately (call ahead if possible) or go to the nearest emergency room. Apply gauze pressure on the bleeding site until your dentist or doctor can see you.