Table of Contents

• What is a Dental Emergency? 
• Steps to Take During a Dental Emergency
• Can Dentists Save Every Tooth? 
• Restorative Options After Tooth Loss
• Turn to Hendersonville Family Dental During a Dental Emergency

When a dental emergency strikes, every step you take following it can make all the difference. Immediately following an injury or severe damage, even one wrong move can significantly impact whether your dental team can save your tooth. But, many patients don’t realize they’re dealing with a dental emergency, or what steps they should take after it occurs.

While dealing with this kind of emergency can be incredibly intimidating, knowing what to do before it happens can help you preserve the appearance and function of your smile. Whether you’re currently facing an emergency or want to prepare for the worst, keep reading to learn more about what you should do to keep yourself and your smile safe. 

What is a Dental Emergency? 

The first step in understanding how to react during an emergency, it is important to understand what a dentist considers an emergency. While some damage, injuries, and discomfort can be distressing, they don’t all constitute emergencies or require immediate attention from your trusted dental team. 

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, this means that you are experiencing severe, difficult-to-control bleeding, severe pain that can’t be treated with an over-the-counter pain medication, or a dislodged tooth. Some soft tissue injuries, like deep cuts or trauma to your gums, tongue, or cheek, are considered dental emergencies as well. 

Finally, if you believe you have lost a filling and the underlying, sensitive tooth beneath has been exposed, or you believe you’re dealing with a dental abscess, you should reach out to your dental team for support. When in doubt, it is best to reach out to your dentist or, if you’re dealing with a life-threatening risk, go to the emergency room. 

While this step might feel excessive, it is always best to err on the side of caution. At the emergency room, your medical team may be able to provide you with stronger pain medications and treatment to quell any bleeding or address swelling while you wait for an upcoming appointment with your dental team. 

Steps to Take During a Dental Emergency

If you are currently experiencing a dental emergency, there are a few things you can do to protect your teeth and oral tissue while you wait for an appointment with your dentist. To ensure you’re doing everything in your power to protect your teeth, follow these steps: 

• Rinse Your Mouth: The first step to take during a dental emergency is to rinse your mouth with warm water. This can help you clear any debris and clean the affected area.
• Address Bleeding: If you are bleeding, use clean, dry gauze and apply firm pressure to the tissue for 20 minutes. If it doesn’t stop bleeding, seek immediate medical attention. 
• Clean the Tooth: If your tooth was knocked out of your mouth, gently rinse it under water to remove debris, but do not use soap or toothpaste. While doing this, do not touch the root of the tooth, and instead handle it from the top.
• Reinsert If Possible: While it isn’t always possible, attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket to preserve the root. If you cannot reinsert it, store it in a small container full of milk or your saliva.
• Cover Exposed Nerves: If you lost a crown, cover the tooth with an over-the-counter dental wax to limit discomfort while waiting for your appointment. 
• Call Your Dentist: Once you’ve addressed the immediate problem, contact your dentist. For major emergencies, like dislodged teeth, your dentist may recommend immediately coming to the office. 

Dealing with a dental emergency can be distressing, but managing your anxiety during this can make a world of difference. If you’re anxious, shaking, or struggling, take a few moments to take deep, calming breaths before moving forward with your treatment. 

Can Dentists Save Every Tooth? 

When you’re dealing with a dental emergency, your major concern is whether you can save the tooth. Your best chance of saving your tooth is by turning to your dentist as soon as the emergency emerges. They will do everything in their power to help you heal a dislodged tooth and perform essential restorative procedures.

However, even if you visit your dentist immediately after the emergency, they aren’t always capable of saving your tooth. This can be incredibly frustrating, as you likely want to do everything possible to protect your tooth. While they will perform comprehensive care, some teeth are beyond saving, even with immediate care.

If you’ve been dealing with significant tooth decay, advanced periodontal disease, or loose teeth for quite some time, even the fastest, most reliable dental care may not be enough. Although this can be frustrating, there are a few options your dentist can provide to help you preserve the appearance and function of your smile. 

Restorative Options After Tooth Loss

After losing one or more teeth, you have a few options to restore your oral function. Each option comes with unique benefits, which is why it’s so important to talk to your dental team about them before moving forward. Some of the most reliable restorative options include: 

• Dentures: Whether you’ve lost one or multiple teeth, dentures are an easy and inexpensive way to restore the look and function of your smile. 
• Bridges: Attaching to the surrounding teeth, dental bridges help you replace several neighboring teeth, ensuring a seamless blend.
• Implants: While the most expensive option, dental implants are the most secure, natural-looking, and long-lasting restorative option available. 

If you’re unsure which is best for your current oral health situation, don’t hesitate to talk to your dental team. They will help you craft a dental treatment plan to ensure you’re in the best oral health possible and that you can support your new dental prosthetic for as long as possible. 

Turn to Hendersonville Family Dental During a Dental Emergency

If you’re facing a dental emergency, our team at Hendersonville Family Dental is here to help. For years, we’ve helped dental patients protect themselves from a variety of emergencies, and we’re confident that we can do the same for you. No matter how distressing this situation may be, you can rest assured that you’re working with the best team in the Hendersonville, NC, area to restore your smile.

When you’re ready to schedule an appointment to address a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us.