Brush twice a day and floss daily
Commit to routine exams and cleanings at our dental office
Avoid chewing on very hard foods or inedible objects (i.e. pens, pencils, packages, bottles, ice cubes etc.)
Always wear a nightguard or sportsguard if you grind your teeth or play contact sports
Break habits that can damage teeth, such as nail-biting
In nearly every case, you’ll save time, money, and hassle by giving us a call in a dental emergency instead of going straight to your local ER. However, there are some situations that need to be stabilized at the emergency room before we can repair your smile, such as:
Dislocated or broken jaw.
Bleeding that hasn’t stopped in 10 minutes.
Swelling in the mouth, face, or jaw that’s making it difficult to swallow or breathe.
Not every dental emergency is as easy to identify as a broken or knocked-out tooth. If you’re wondering if you need urgent dental care, ask yourself these questions:
Do I have intense dental pain?
Do my teeth feel out of place or loose?
Is my tooth visibly damaged?
Are my gums swollen, painful, or bleeding?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, give us a call! We’ll help you assess your situation over the phone and give you step-by-step guidance on what you should do next.
Dental pain should always be investigated by your dentist in a timely manner. While most toothaches are caused by cavities and other non-emergency problems, some can be the result of a severe underlying issue that needs immediate attention. Your toothache may be an emergency if accompanied by:
Severe pain that is interfering with your everyday life.
Darkening of the painful tooth.
Looseness in the painful tooth.
A small, pimple-like pump on the gums near the toothache.
Signs of infection, like swelling, fever, or fatigue.
There are several ways you can manage your dental pain until you can reach our office. Rinsing your mouth out with saltwater can help kill bacteria and reduce inflammation and applying an ice pack can ease swelling and numb the area. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and take them as directed.
However, it’s important that you remember that OTC pain relievers are intended to be a temporary fix. Even if you can manage your discomfort with the help of store-bought pain killers, you still need to come see us for treatment right away. Over-the-counter pain relivers won’t address the underlying, potentially serious problem that’s causing your discomfort, so don’t wait to give us a call if you have a toothache!