Dental Emergencies Specialist

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency requires treatment within hours of your accident or injury. If you have a dental emergency, you may not be able to wait for normal business hours or the next available appointment.

Whether you feel like you can wait a day for treatment or need immediate medical attention, contact Dr. Wood right away if you have a dental emergency.

How can I tell if I have a dental emergency?

Many people don’t seek immediate attention for a dental emergency because they don’t realize they have one. Common signs and symptoms of a dental emergency include:

Severe tooth pain

If you have severe tooth pain that doesn’t go away, you may have a tooth infection that has spread to your roots. A tooth infection can be extremely painful and typically worsens without treatment, so it’s important to call Dr. Wood for a dental exam right away.

Tooth damage

While small chips can typically wait for normal business hours, a severely broken or cracked tooth puts you at risk of pain and infection. Without immediate treatment, you can even lose your tooth.

Knocked-out tooth

You must contact Wood Family Dentistry immediately if you lose an adult tooth during an accident or injury. The sooner you get treatment, the easier it is to keep the rest of your teeth from shifting.

Sudden swelling

Painful swelling that doesn’t go away often indicates a gum infection, such as an abscess. An abscess on the gums is a pocket of pus that can pop and spread throughout your mouth without immediate dental care.

How can I care for a dental emergency?

The first step in caring for a dental emergency is calling Wood Family Dentistry. Dr. Wood and his staff can give you advice on how to care for your teeth and gums before your emergency appointment. They may recommend the following tips:

Broken tooth

With proper care, Dr. Wood can save some broken teeth. After gently removing any debris from the tooth, try to find the cracked portion if possible. Once you find the broken piece, store it in a cup of milk or saliva and schedule an appointment with Wood Family Dentistry right away.

Knocked-out tooth

If you have a knocked-out tooth, gently cleanse the socket (the empty space left behind by your tooth) and try to replace the lost tooth. This may not be possible due to pain or swelling. If you can’t replace the tooth, store it in milk or saliva until you see Dr. Wood.

Tooth infection

A tooth infection can feel excruciating, but ice packs can help decrease swelling and pain. If that isn’t enough to relieve your pain, you can take over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories until you see Dr. Wood.

Soft tissue injuries

Most soft tissue injuries, such as a bitten lip or tongue, heal on their own. However, if the cut is more than ¼ inch deep, you may need emergency dental care. Carefully cleanse the area and reduce the pain and inflammation with an ice pack until you see Dr. Wood. If the bleeding doesn’t subside with pressure, go to the emergency room.

Dr. Wood is a dentist with a gentle, caring touch. If you have a dental emergency, call Wood Family Dentistry or book an appointment online now.