Emergency Dentistry

What is emergency dentistry?

Emergency dentistry provides immediate care for serious oral health problems. If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, contact Tooth Corps right away. Making it to the office within an hour of your first symptoms could mean the difference between preserving your smile or the need for oral surgery, such as extractions.

What types of issues does emergency dentistry treat?

Dr. Gwilt and the team use emergency dentistry to treat various issues, including:

• Knocked-out teeth
• Loose teeth
• Swollen and irritated gums
• Severe toothaches
• Objects lodged between the teeth
• Oral abscesses
• Cuts and lacerations that won’t stop bleeding
• Broken dental restorations

You might also benefit from emergency dentistry if you get hit in the mouth and break your jaw. 

What should I do if I lose a tooth, damage a dental restoration, or develop a toothache?

The steps you should take during a dental emergency depend on the underlying issue. Dr. Gwilt recommends:

Knocked-out tooth

If you lose a permanent tooth, contact Tooth Corps immediately. The administrative team always makes time for same-day appointments, so they’ll get you in right away. 

Once you make an appointment, carefully pick up your tooth and rinse it off in tap water. Never touch the tooth’s roots. Try to put your tooth back in your mouth, but if it won’t stay in place, put it in a glass of milk or tuck it inside your cheek.

Damaged dental restoration

If you damage a restoration, like a crown or bridge, carefully pick up the pieces and put them inside a plastic bag or a piece of foil. After you’ve secured the restoration, call Tooth Corps and explain the events leading up to the accident. 

The administrative team provides tips to minimize pain and gets you in for a same-day appointment.

Severe toothache

If you experience a toothache, and it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain medication, rinse your mouth out with warm saltwater. If your symptoms persist for more than a day, make an appointment at Tooth Corps for an in-office evaluation.

How can I reduce the risk of a dental emergency?

The easiest way to reduce the risk of a dental emergency is to practice good oral hygiene. Dr. Gwilt and the team recommend brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting the office every six months for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning.

To protect your teeth and dental restorations, wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, and avoid bad habits like nail biting or opening packaging with your teeth.

If you need emergency dentistry, make an appointment at Tooth Corps by calling the office or scheduling online today.