The 5 Most Common Dental Emergencies (And What To Do About Them)
Looking for a San Diego emergency dentist to get help for an oral injury? Wondering what you should do if you experience a common dental emergency? You’re in the right place. In this guide, Carmel Mountain Ranch Dental Care will explain the top 5 most common dental emergencies, and what you should do if you experience them. Read on and learn with us.
Loose Or Pulled-Out Dental Work
This is one of the most common dental emergencies. Many patients don't even realize that a pulled-out piece of dental work like a filling or a crown qualifies as a dental emergency.However, it’s very important to get help right away. If you lose a crown or filling, the vulnerable enamel below your dental work could become damaged or decayed, leading to further complications. Your tooth will also likely be very sensitive, or may even cause you pain.Recover your dental work, if possible, and put it in a small plastic bag. Contact our San Diego emergency dentist at (858) 487-6453 to schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Carpenter. They will replace your filling or crown, and ensure you get the help you need to avoid complications.
Serious Toothache
A serious toothache that lasts more than 1-2 days almost always indicates a very deep cavity or an infected tooth, and qualifies as a dental emergency. Contact us right away for an emergency appointment. If you have a deep cavity, Dr. Carpenter may recommend a filling or a crown, depending on the extent of the damage to your tooth.If your tooth is infected, this is a more serious issue. You will need to get root canal therapy, and then have a filling or crown placed over your tooth to restore it and protect it from further damage.
Bleeding Gums
If your gums are bleeding for no reason, you may have a serious case of periodontal (gum) disease, which qualifies as an emergency. Contact us right away to get periodontal care, and to halt and reverse the effects of gum disease. If your gums are bleeding due to cuts and lacerations from an oral injury, this is also a dental emergency. If the bleeding does not stop within 1-2 hours of the injury, you may need stitches to close up the cuts, and ensure your gums heal properly. It’s also important to have your mouth cleaned to prevent oral infection. Call right away to get an emergency appointment.
Cracked, Chipped Or Broken Tooth
If your tooth is cracked, broken or chipped due to oral trauma, you need to get in touch with us immediately for an appointment. Even a minor crack could seriously damage your tooth and lead to an infected tooth, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.After you’ve scheduled your consultation, you can take a few steps to minimize your pain and discomfort until you come into our office. Clean gauze or cotton balls can be used to absorb blood, and you can take Tylenol or Advil to help with pain. Applying an ice pack to the cheek near the affected area will also help with discomfort and swelling.
Loose Or Knocked-Out Tooth
First, recover your tooth if it’s been knocked out. Grab it by the crown (top) to avoid damaging the nerves. Wash it off in lukewarm water, if necessary, and put it back into the socket or into a container of cold milk.Call us immediately. A loose or knocked-out tooth needs to be splinted in place within 1-2 hours to save it. Tell us about your situation, and come into our office right away. Don’t waste time trying to treat your pain or bleeding on your own. The sooner you get help, the more likely it is that we will be able to save your tooth.
Need A San Diego Emergency Dentist? Contact Us Now
No matter what your dental emergency may be, Dr. Carpenter is here to help at Carmel Mountain Ranch Dental Care. If you need same-day care for a dental emergency, just contact us at (858) 487-6453. We’ll see you as soon as we can, and provide you with the care you need to restore your smile.
