A dental emergency can occur anytime anywhere. Luckily, at Ballston Dental, we offer same day emergency dental care. If you have a dental problem that is causing you any pain, don’t wait. It can be a sign of a larger dental problem. Contact our office as soon as you can so we can tend to your emergency.
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
- Knocked-out teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Partially Dislodged Teeth
- Lost Filling
- Lost Crowns
- Soft mouth tissue injuries or infections
- Any dental problem causing significant pain
What Should I Do Until My Dentist Appointment?
Severe Toothache
If you are suffering from a severe toothache, there are several things you can do until you get in to see us. First, rinse your mouth out with warm water and carefully floss between your teeth to get any trapped food particles out. If your gums are swollen, apply a cold compress over the skin of your swollen gums to reduce any inflammation or pain you are feeling.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Whatever the reason your tooth has been knocked out of your mouth, it’s important that you find your tooth and follow our directions. When you find your tooth, handle it by the crown (the top) to preserve the root. Rinse it gently with water, and if possible, place the tooth back into the socket if it will fit. If not, place the tooth in a cup of milk which will help preserve it.
Broken Tooth
If your tooth cracks or chips, collect any pieces of your teeth that you can find and contact us immediately. Place gauze over your tooth to stop the bleeding and apply a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to prevent any swelling.
Dislodged Tooth
If your tooth has become dislodged, it’s more than likely that chewing and speaking can be nearly impossible and painful. Apply a cold compress over your mouth where the tooth is and apply light pressure. Don’t try to remove your tooth, this can make matters worse.
Missing Filling or Restoration
If a filling or dental restoration such as a crown falls out, you should visit Ballston Dental immediately. You can cover your filling with sugar free chewing gum until you get in to see us to help keep food particles out. If your crown has fallen off, try and place it back on. If the crown won’t stay put, keep it in a safe place until you get in to see us.
What Do I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?
The first thing you should do if you think you might have a dental emergency is resist the urge to panic. Dental emergencies are hardly ever life-threatening, although they can be painful. You should seek treatment as quickly as you can, but remain calm.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Routine dental matters are not emergencies. Losing a filling, for instance, is not generally something that has to be attended to immediately, although you should still see your dentist as soon as you reasonably can. If you lose a filling and it takes a huge chunk of your tooth along with it, and the insides of your cheeks are being scraped, that is still probably not an emergency.
Now, if you have had a trauma to your mouth that has knocked a tooth out, that is indeed a dental emergency. So if this happens, the first thing you should do is try to locate the tooth. Pick it up, but do not touch the root. Rinse the tooth gently, and if it is possible for you to fit it back into the socket, do that. If it is not possible, place it in a container of milk and call your dentist. This is a dental emergency, and he will make every effort to get you in for treatment.
Any injury that causes a cut or a puncture on the inside of your mouth is also an emergency. Clean the affected area with warm water, and if you need to apply pressure to slow the bleeding, do so. Again, call your dentist for immediate treatment.
A dental infection is also a dental emergency. Any serious swelling in your jaw, or in your cheek or eye area, requires immediate attention. If you do not see your dentist right away so that he can prescribe antibiotics, you could end up having to visit the ER to have antibiotics administered intravenously.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing a dental emergency and live in the Ballston Spa and Saratoga County area, don’t hesitate to get into contact with us so we can treat you immediately. You can call us at 518-885-8321 or fill out our online contact form to be contacted.