Need an Emergency Dentist ASAP? Here’s What to Do!

A dental emergency can happen at the most inconvenient times. Thankfully, your dentist is usually able to see you right away and get you out of pain. But what if your emergency occurs outside of your dentist’s normal hours like in the evening or on a weekend? How can you make yourself more comfortable? Read to learn the answers so you can get proper care when you need it most.

Common Dental Emergencies & What to Do Next

No two emergencies are the same, but here are some of the most common issues that can occur and how to handle them:

• Cracked tooth: Use warm water to rinse out your mouth and carefully collect any pieces of your tooth. Apply a cold compress for swelling and contact your dentist right away.
• Knocked-out tooth: Pick up your tooth by the crown to avoid damaging the roots. Carefully rinse it off and try to put it back in its socket. If this isn’t possible, store it in milk until you can see your dentist. Visiting their office within the hour will give you a good chance of recovering the tooth.
• Toothache: If your tooth starts hurting, you may need a root canal to remove damaged or infected tissue. Until you can see your dentist, take over the counter pain medication.
• Lost crown/filling: A lost crown or filling can cause sensitivity and pain. To protect it, you can use dental cement or even sugarless gum if you’re in a bind. Once you’ve made yourself more comfortable, contact your dentist.

Need Emergency Dental Care? Call Your Dentist

If you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist right away. Most dentists keep a dental room available at all times for urgent situations so they can see you on the same day of an emergency. If you call outside of the office hours, there will usually be a voicemail with instructions or an emergency hotline. Leave a message and explain your symptoms in detail. If pain and discomfort persist, go to an emergency room to see a medical professional. They will be able to relieve your pain and decide whether or not a dental visit is necessary. For potentially life-threatening emergencies like jaw fractures or difficulty breathing, visit an urgent care facility right away instead of a dental office.

A dental emergency will always be surprising but knowing exactly what to do next will take away some of the uncertainty. Remember these tips and the experts to contact so you can protect your smile if the worst does occur!

Meet the Dentist

Dr. Mark Gaches is an experienced dentist who is passionate about providing quality care for his Owasso patients. He offers root canal therapy, dental crowns, sedation dentistry, and many other treatments associated with dental emergencies to get his patients out of pain and back to smiling. For any questions, he can be reached through his website or by phone at (918) 928-2383.