Is it a dental emergency, or should you wait and set up a normal appointment to see the dentist? It can be hard to decide what’s an emergency and what’s not. Sometimes the situation can wait for a few days to be seen, but other times you should hurry in to get the issue looked at. We want to take a look at some of the situations you might find yourself in and discuss the levels of urgency!

A loose permanent tooth

If you’ve knocked your permanent tooth loose, you should attempt to stop any bleeding with slight pressure using a cloth or tissue while holding it in place gently. This is an emergency and you should call us immediately so we can get you in to stabilize the tooth as soon as possible.

Knocked out permanent tooth

If you’ve knocked your permanent tooth completely out, try to find the tooth and place it in a container with milk or saliva after rinsing it off with clean water. This is an emergency and you should call immediately to get in to the office. We’ll try to restore it using a root canal in the hopes that the bone will reattach to the root of the tooth once it’s back in place. If the bone around the tooth is in good condition without any fractures, the tooth can usually reattach to the bone in about three or four weeks and you’ll require timely follow up with the dentist.

Facial trauma

If you’ve experienced some type of facial trauma that has affected your teeth, you should first start with a hospital or doctor’s visit. Provide your doctor with our contact information so that we can work with them to help in your recovery. This is an emergency, so call us right away so that we can get you in to our office when you are finished seeking immediate medical attention.

Toothaches

Your toothache could be due to a cavity or biting down on a popcorn kernel. The situation can arise for many different reasons. In the case of a dull ache or cavity, you should call for our next opening. This is not always an emergency. Now if your pain is sudden and accompanied by other symptoms like a fever, this is an emergency and you should call to get in right away.

Cracked or damaged tooth

Biting down on a variety of food items, striking your face, or a variety of other issues can cause a cracked or damaged tooth. This is not necessarily an emergency although you’ll want to call us for our very next opening to address the issue. As long as you are not in severe pain, we’ll work you in at your earliest convenience.

Broken or lost dentures

Minor repairs to dentures can often be made while you wait. If you detect an issue with your dentures, call us for the next available appointment. While this is not an emergency, we understand that your dentures are directly tied to your comfort and eating capabilities, so we want to take care of your issue as soon as possible.

Dental implant issues

If you have a dental implant and experience soreness, mobility, or anything broken, call us immediately. While it may not be a same day emergency, we still would like to get you in at your earliest convenience.

When it comes to a dental emergency, don’t take any chances. If you’re not sure what to do, give our office a call at 618-939-4042 and we’ll help you assess the situation. We’re here when you need us and are happy to accommodate your most urgent needs!