Dental Emergencies
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When you have a dental emergency-whether it’s caused by a sudden accident or chronic disease-your teeth and/or the tissues of the mouth that surround them need to receive proper care right away. As with any medical emergency, it’s important to be aware before you are actually in the situation, of what you can do to insure the best outcome.
Traumatic Dental Injuries A knocked-out permanent tooth requires quick thinking and immediate action. You’ll increase the chances of that tooth being saved if you pick it up without touching the root, gently clean it off with water, and put it back in it’s socket facing the correct way. Holding it in place with gentle pressure as you rush to the dental office or emergency room. If you can’t replant it immediately, tuck it between the patient’s check and gum, or carry it in a container of cold milk. If there is uncontrollable bleeding, immediately go to the ER. Fortunately, most other dental injuries that happen most frequently, are less severe. The most common is a chipped tooth. If a tooth is chipped, try to find any pieces that have come off, as it might be possible to reattach them. Make an appointment for an office visit as soon as possible and bring the pieces with you. |
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Tooth Pain
Acute or persistent tooth pain always signals a need for an urgent visit to the dental office. The most common cause of pain is tooth decay, a bacterial infection that can spread through many parts of the tooth and even into the gum tissue. Sometimes tooth pain indicates that you may need a root canal treatment-a procedure that not only relieves the pain of an infection deep inside the tooth, but also can keep the tooth from having to be removed. Other times, pain may be caused by a loose filling or sensitive tooth. The only way to know for sure what’s causing your tooth pain is to make an appointment at the dental office right away. |
Gum Emergencies
Injuries and infections involving the soft tissues of the mouth may also require emergency treatment. The tissues of the gums, tongue, or check lining can be damaged by accidental bites, falls, sports injuries, and scalding liquids. They may also suffer injury from foreign bodies that become lodged below the gum line, and they can develop painful and potentially serious abcesses.
A periodontal (gum) abcess is a puss-filled sac caused by an infection and is usually quite painful. Abcesses require immediate attention at the dental office.
Any injury to the soft tissues of the mouth should be rinsed with diluted salt water. If there is visible debris, it should be cleared. Bleeding can usually be controlled by pressing a clean, damp material to the area for 10-15 minutes. If this does not work, go the the ER immediately.
A foreign body lodged beneath the gum line can sometimes be gently worked out with dental floss or a toothpick. But if this can’t be accomplished easily, make a dental appointment so the area does not become damaged and/or infected.
Injuries and infections involving the soft tissues of the mouth may also require emergency treatment. The tissues of the gums, tongue, or check lining can be damaged by accidental bites, falls, sports injuries, and scalding liquids. They may also suffer injury from foreign bodies that become lodged below the gum line, and they can develop painful and potentially serious abcesses.
A periodontal (gum) abcess is a puss-filled sac caused by an infection and is usually quite painful. Abcesses require immediate attention at the dental office.
Any injury to the soft tissues of the mouth should be rinsed with diluted salt water. If there is visible debris, it should be cleared. Bleeding can usually be controlled by pressing a clean, damp material to the area for 10-15 minutes. If this does not work, go the the ER immediately.
A foreign body lodged beneath the gum line can sometimes be gently worked out with dental floss or a toothpick. But if this can’t be accomplished easily, make a dental appointment so the area does not become damaged and/or infected.
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Toothaches in Young Children
Young children often complain of toothaches, but there isn't always an obvious sign or cause of the discomfort. You should thoroughly clean your child's mouth so that you can inspect the tooth. If the problem area has an obvious sign of irritation like food lodged in between the teeth, then using dental floss and rinsing with water is a great place to start. If there continues to be an issue and visible swelling or irritation of the gums, you should contact our office to schedule an appointment. |
Insurance and Financing
At Pearl Dental we accept cash, check, credit cards and offer flexible financing and payment options through CareCredit. We also accept most insurance plans and are happy to help you maximize your benefits.
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We can help you understand your benefits and file insurance forms on your behalf.