Emergency Dentist – Baldwin, PA

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

When you call our office to make an emergency appointment, we can give you some advice for protecting your mouth in the meantime. The kind of first aid you’ll need depends on the situation; some emergencies happen suddenly as a result of physical trauma, but others might be a consequence of poor brushing or flossing. Here are some common dental emergencies that every patient should be prepared for in advance, as well as some basic tips for initial treatment.

Toothaches

Floss thoroughly to get rid of debris around the tooth. The pain might be caused by an infection that could require a root canal, so keep your mouth clean by regularly rinsing with saltwater. You can take ibuprofen or another over-the-counter medicine to keep the pain under control until your treatment.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

Some cracks are more severe than others; you might need to have a tooth extracted, but in other cases you might not need treatment at all. Regardless, you’ll need Dr. Verner to evaluate the tooth quickly to figure out the extent of the damage. Avoid chewing with the affected tooth at all costs and try to save any pieces that have broken off. Use gauze to stop any bleeding that occurs.

Knocked-Out Tooth

There’s only a short period of time in which a lost tooth can be successfully replanted, so don’t lose any time getting to our office. When handling the tooth, only touch the part used for chewing so that you don’t damage the root. Try to put it back in its socket if you can or put it in a glass of milk to take with you to your appointment.

Lost Filling/Crown

First, the tooth will probably be sensitive, so try to reduce your discomfort with some clove oil. You can use dental cement to temporarily reattach a crown, but if your restoration has been lost altogether, you can also apply the cement directly to the tooth to seal and protect it.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

While you’ll always need to be wary of severe dental issues, you can dramatically lower your risk of an emergency simply by brushing and flossing every day as well as visiting our practice for regular checkups and cleanings; that way, you can keep the bacteria that cause infections and toothaches under control. To protect your mouth from sudden accidents, wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports, and avoid chewing on anything hard such as ice or a pen tip.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Is a simple filling enough to save your tooth, or will you need a more complex treatment? Each case will require a different kind of treatment, and our team will make sure you fully understand the costs beforehand. To help make your care as affordable as possible, we’re happy to accept all PPO dental insurance plans and offer an in-house savings plan. This way, you can focus more on the most important part of emergency dental care: making sure you keep your natural teeth for as long as possible!