Dental Emergencies

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is an urgent dental need that can’t wait until an appointment during normal business hours. It’s a condition that requires immediate attention. 

Some examples of dental emergencies include:

• Broken or cracked tooth
• Knocked out tooth
• Severe tooth pain
• Signs of infection in your teeth or gums
• Damage to gum tissue

Any dental issue that causes sudden, significant pain should be seen by a professional as quickly as possible. If you notice signs of infection, like a fever, pus, swelling, or persistent pain, it’s very important to seek care. Left unchecked, an infection can threaten your overall health and wellness. 

What do I do in the event of a dental emergency?

If you’re involved in any kind of accident, the most important first step is to secure your immediate safety. If your dental issue arises due to a traumatic injury or sports injury, assess your immediate surroundings and move to a safe location. 

Check to make sure you haven’t suffered other injuries. If your mouth is bleeding, find some gauze or clean cloth and gently bite down on it to slow the bleeding. If you’ve lost a tooth, try to locate the tooth and pick it up with your fingers on the biting surface, away from the roots. 

Next, call Smile Bright Dental to describe your condition and learn your next steps. The practice offers same-day treatment for dental emergencies, and can often see you right away. 

What do I do for a knocked out tooth?

If you’ve lost one or more teeth, avoid touching the roots. Pick up the tooth and rinse away any debris under gently running water. If possible, try to place the tooth back into the socket and bite down to hold it in place. 

You can also place the tooth in your mouth between your cheek and gums. This provides the same type of environment as your socket, and prevents the cells on the root portion of your tooth from degenerating. 

Another option is to place the tooth in a small container and cover it with milk. Be sure to call Smile Bright Dental for additional guidance and a same-day emergency dental appointment.

We are open on Saturdays and will take emergency patients as soon as possible.