In the event of a dental emergency, call the Family and Cosmetic Dentistry of Dr. Elizabeth Duling at 256.202.4186
It is important to receive emergency care as soon as possible. We do not want our patients to experience further pain or discomfort. Most importantly, we want to help our patients avoid tooth loss if possible. Emergency dental care is a general dental treatment that can prevent future oral health issues. Dr. Duling is an emergency dentist in Owens Cross Roads, AL.
Common Dental Emergencies
We treat a variety of dental emergencies in our office, including:
- Toothaches: If you are feeling severe tooth pain, take over-the-counter pain medication and apply a cold compress on the side of your face to stop swelling. Toothaches can be caused by tooth decay, an infection, or an abscess. Dr. Duling or a member of her team will thoroughly examine your tooth or teeth to find the cause of your pain.
- Knocked-out tooth: If you have just knocked out a permanent tooth, pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the root. Gently rinse off the tooth, but do not scrub it as that can damage the tooth. Place the tooth in a cup of milk or your own saliva so that you can preserve it for transport to our office. Sometimes we can replace your lost tooth if it is preserved. Otherwise, we will recommend a dental implant. Dental implants are sturdy and natural-looking dental restorations.
- Broken teeth: Small chips to the tooth enamel are commonplace. However, if you have large chips or breaks in teeth, it can expose the nerves and pulp found inside of the tooth. If the pulp becomes infected, it may require root canal treatment or tooth extraction. A root canal removes the infection from within the tooth. Tooth extractions remove the teeth fully, which can be replaced by dental implants.
- Damaged or broken dental restoration: Is your dental bridge, crown, denture, or implant damaged? Call our office and we can help restore or replace your restoration. If you have an old restoration that is now ineffective, dull, or damaged, we can form a treatment plan for a new replacement. Our office provides the final restorations and works with a local dental surgeon for implantation services.
- Bleeding gums: If your gums bleed after you brush or floss, this is a sign of gingivitis, which is not necessarily an emergency. However, if you experience sudden, persistent bleeding, contact us immediately. Persistent bleeding is abnormal, especially following a recent dental procedure. We will help stop the bleeding and find the source of the problem.
Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions
What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
The most important thing is to stay as calm as possible. Collect yourself and pick up any tooth fragments or broken restoration pieces. Call our office immediately to get you seen as soon as possible. If there’s blood, use gauze to try and stop the bleeding. Use over-the-counter pain medications to keep the pain at bay until you can be seen. A cold compress can help with pain and swelling.
How can I avoid dental emergencies?
The best defense against dental emergencies is simply taking care of your teeth and gums. This means brushing and flossing daily, visiting the dentist every six months, and getting treatment for any dental problems you have immediately. This will avoid emergencies such as an abscess tooth or root canal. We also recommend mouthguards for people who grind their teeth and those who play sports. This is an easy, affordable, and effective way to protect the teeth from trauma such as tooth loss or a tooth breaking.
How can I manage tooth pain?
If you suffer from tooth pain, there are several methods you can try to find relief. The first one we suggest is using an over-the-counter topical tooth pain relief gel. Most drug stores carry such products. Additionally, a cold compress on the face can help. Over-the-counter pain medication is also effective at managing tooth pain. However, if the pain continues, being seen by a dentist is necessary.
Is an infected tooth a dental emergency?
A tooth infection is serious. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other body parts. Signs of spreading infection include feeling unwell, fever, swelling, and pain. If you have an infection, it is important to contact the office of Dr. Duling as soon as possible so she can assess your tooth. Ignoring an infection can negatively affect your overall health, and you may lose your tooth.
What happens if I don’t get emergency dental treatment?
If you don’t get emergency treatment, there will likely be long-term effects. An infection can spread. A broken tooth can shatter and impact soft tissue; other consequences can happen if you have tooth fragments in your mouth. Getting treatment as soon as possible helps to make treatment easier and more affordable.
Do I need emergency dental treatment?
A dental emergency is anything that needs to be seen immediately. Always err on the side of caution. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry. If you think that it needs emergency attention, call our office so that we can take the proper steps and ensure you get the proper care.
Call Our Dental Office Today
Do you require non-emergency oral health care? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Duling on our website or call to request an appointment at 256.202.4186 for all of your oral health needs. Please let us know if you have any further questions about any tooth pain, damage, or loss that you are currently experiencing. We can also help you determine whether or not you require emergency dental care.