Dental emergencies can happen at any time and often when we least expect them. Whether you’re suffering from a toothache, have chipped or cracked a tooth, or have lost a tooth entirely, it’s important to know what to do in order to minimize any further pain or damage.
At our Indianapolis, IN office, we offer same-day service for dental emergencies. If you are experiencing an oral health concern that requires urgent attention, contact our office right away for scheduling! Our guide below provides tips on managing common emergencies and acting quickly to protect your smile. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your smile, call our office today!
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is an indication of a tooth infection. Along with the abscess, you may experience severe pain, swelling, and fever. Our team will need to drain the abscess and treat the infection to save the tooth; this may involve a root canal. Prompt treatment by our team is essential to ensure the infection is not able to spread or cause damage to the supporting bone.
Gum Injuries
Gum injuries can be painful and may require emergency dental care. If you have a gum injury, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the cheek to reduce swelling. You may also need to take over-the-counter pain medication to help relieve pain. If bleeding is severe, call our office immediately for further instructions.
Broken Tooth
A broken tooth may occur as a result of a facial injury or from biting into a hard object. This can cause pain, swelling, and bleeding; it can also lead to infection if left untreated. If you have a broken tooth, the best thing to do is to see our team as soon as possible so that we can determine the best course of treatment.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most severe dental emergencies. If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, it is important to try to find the tooth and bring it with you to our office. Upon finding the tooth, hold it by the crown and rinse the root with clean water. We advise that you attempt to reinsert the tooth into the empty socket; if this is not possible, the tooth may be carefully transferred in a cup of saliva or milk.
The sooner you can arrive at our office, the better the chance of the tooth being successfully re-implanted.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
There are a few different conditions or injuries that may be considered dental emergencies. If you have any questions about whether you should come in, don’t hesitate to give our office a call! The following are a few indicators that may help you recognize a true emergency:
- Pain: Severe toothaches may be a sign of an infection or abscess. If you are experiencing pain, it is important to seek treatment right away.
- Bleeding: Gum injuries and cracked teeth can both lead to bleeding. If the bleeding is severe, call our office right away.
- Swelling: Swelling may be a sign of an infection. If you have swelling in your mouth or face, call our office immediately.
- Loss of a tooth: If you have lost a tooth, it is important to see our team as soon as possible. The chances of us being able to re-implant the tooth are much higher if we are able to treat it within 30 minutes following avulsion.
Emergency Prevention
Despite how well we take care of our teeth, accidents can still happen. However, there are some actions you can take to lessen the likelihood of having a dental emergency:
- Wear a mouthguard when participating in any type of sport.
- Avoid chewing on hard objects such as ice, popcorn kernels, etc.
- Be careful not to bite your nails or chew on other non-food items.
- See our team for regular check-ups and cleanings so that we can identify any potential problems early on.