While having an emergency dentist on call is great, most people would prefer to avoid dental emergencies in the first place. Here are a few simple ways to do exactly that:
Always wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
Don’t wear down your teeth by chewing on things like ice, fingernails, pen caps, etc.
Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
Keep up with your daily oral hygiene and professional checkups so small problems can be stopped before they become emergencies.
Do you experience chronic jaw pain or headaches, and you can’t figure out why? You might be experiencing a problem with your TMJ, or TMJ dysfunction (TMD). This involves your main jaw joint, and problems in this area can lead to pain felt throughout the face and head. The source of the issue is usually a misaligned bite that is causing the jaw muscles to strain, but we can fix this to help a patient get the long-term relief they deserve.
At Anthem Dentistry, your emergency dentist is committed to getting you out of dental pain fast. While we hope you never experience a dental emergency, we want you to be as prepared as possible just in case one strikes. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about emergency dentistry below. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call right away!
Perhaps one of the most obvious questions to ask is, “What constitutes a dental emergency?” Basically, they are non-life-threatening injuries that require immediate treatment from a dentist to stop bleeding, alleviate pain, or save your tooth. Some of the most common dental emergencies are knocked-out teeth, abnormal bleeding, a cracked tooth, and painful toothaches. It is always best to air on the side of caution, so if you are ever uncertain, don’t hesitate to contact our office. From there, our knowledgeable team can help you decide whether your injury necessitates an urgent visit.
Since emergency rooms rarely have a dentist on staff, heading straight to our office is usually the best choice to get treatment for your teeth and gums. However, if your injury becomes potentially life-threatening, then you should seek medical attention immediately. Once you’ve been treated, you can contact our office for an emergency appointment. Below are a few examples of when you should go to the ER first:
Oral bleeding that lasts longer than 10 minutes.
A broken jawbone.
Severe facial trauma.
Abnormal symptoms that inhibit your ability to breathe or swallow.
To fix the root of the problem, all dental injuries should be treated by a professional. However, if you have a few hours or even days until your appointment, there are a few things you can do to manage your discomfort in the meantime:
Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to alleviate swelling and numb the area.
Rinse with a mixture of salt and warm water to prevent infection and reduce irritation.
Take over-the-counter medication to manage pain.
Like a first aid kit, emergency dental supplies are extremely helpful when you or a loved one sustain an injury to your teeth or gums. Therefore, it is a good idea to prepare one ahead of time! If you don’t already have one, here are a few items you should include:
Floss
A dental mirror
Temporary fillings
Gauze
Disposable gloves
A small container to hold a knocked-out tooth
Over-the-counter pain-relief medication
Our contact information (specifically, our address and phone number)
Handling a dental emergency can be anxiety-inducing, which is why our emergency dentist is always a phone call away. And don’t hesitate to contact our office with any additional questions you have about urgent appointments!