Emergency Dentistry Q & A
What kind of issues does an emergency dentist treat?
Dr. Yoon has years of experience in the full spectrum of urgent dental issues, including:
- Sudden, severe swelling
- Throbbing, unrelenting pain
- Cracked, chipped, knocked-out teeth
- Broken or lost fillings or crowns
- Fractured dental implants
- Loose teeth
- Abscesses
What should I do if my tooth is knocked out?
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, you should take immediate action in order to save the tooth. Dr. Yoon recommends rinsing the tooth with water and placing it back in the socket if possible.
If the tooth won’t nestle back into the socket, hold it in your cheek to keep it moist until you can get help. If your mouth is bleeding profusely, you can also store it in a small container of milk until you reach Dr. Yoon’s office.
It’s imperative that no one touches the tooth’s root because doing so can damage it.
When should I go to the emergency room?
While Dr. Yoon stands ready to help with any dental emergency, there are a few situations that may require a trip to the emergency room for immediate care if a dental problem leads to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Profuse bleeding
- Unbearable pain
How do you treat dental emergencies?
The first step is alleviating your pain. Subsequent treatment varies depending on what is causing your emergency. Treatment may include X-rays for diagnosis and a filling, crown, root canal, or repair of a bridge or implant.
Once your problem is under control, Dr. Yoon may prescribe pain medicine and an antibiotic.
How can I prevent dental emergencies?
No one plans to have an accident or get dental decay, but it does happen. There are some preventive measures you can take to help fend off an emergency trip to the dentist, including:
- Brushing thoroughly after every meal
- Flossing at bedtime
- Wearing a mouthguard during contact sports
- Refraining from using your teeth as tools to open packages or containers
- Seeking routine checkups
- Scheduling biannual professional cleanings
- Using a dental guard while you sleep at night
Despite taking precautions, you may face a dental emergency. Depend on Dr. Yoon for an expert diagnosis and thorough resolution of your problem. Call the office or use the online scheduler to book your appointment.