When dental emergencies strike, the situation can be painful and stressful. Many patients don’t know what to do during a dental emergency, and some dentists don’t offer urgent care appointments. At Brown & Nawrocki Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry, we’re here to help whenever patients need us most, even outside of our extended office hours. In most cases, we’re able to provide emergency dentistry appointments on the same day that patients contact us. Don’t hesitate to call our team if you’re experiencing dental pain or discomfort. We’ll work with you to ensure that you receive the care you need quickly.
What Situations Require Urgent Dental Care?
If you believe your oral health issues require urgent care, you’re probably right. More importantly, it’s better to begin treatment in the earliest stages even if your condition doesn’t require immediate intervention. Some of the most common dental emergencies we treat include:
- Knocked out teeth
- Damaged, chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
- Broken or knocked out dental restorations
- Damaged or bent dentures
- Soft tissue lacerations
- Toothache or sensitivity to changes in temperature
What Can I do At Home?
The first thing you should do before calling our office is take a few deep breaths. Staying calm is essential to ensure you clearly explain your condition to our team. You should also keep the area clean by rinsing it out with cool water. If a large piece of your tooth or the whole tooth dislodge, keep these pieces and bring them to our office. If possible, replace a lost tooth in the vacated socket. If you cannot do this, store the tooth or piece of tooth in water or milk until you reach our office. Apply pressure to damaged soft tissue using gauze or clean cloth to stop bleeding. You can also use an ice pack at twenty minute intervals (20 on and 20 off) to slow bleeding, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. Additionally, you can take over the counter pain relievers as necessary, but don’t place an aspirin directly on the damaged area. There’s no need for you to remember all of this. One of our knowledgeable team members will walk you through first aid over the phone.
What Should I do Now?
Start by avoiding habits that put you at greater risk for emergencies, including chewing nails, ice, or pencils. You should also cease using your teeth as tools to open packages or crack nuts. Next, keep all of our contact information in an accessible place. We’re always here to help whenever you need us. Our team is available form 8 am to 5 pm Monday and Wednesday, 7 am to 7:30 pm Tuesday and Thursday, and 7:30 am to 2 pm on Friday. In addition to this wide range of office hours, we’re available 24/7 via our answering service.