What is a dental emergency?
In general, you should err on the side of caution and seek care immediately if you think you might have a dental emergency.
If anything in your mouth is bleeding, broken, or severely painful, you should come into Aquila Dental for an emergency dentist appointment. In general, if there’s any problem that you can’t resolve at home, it’s best to let your dentist handle it.
Examples of dental emergencies include:
- Knocked-out or loose teeth
- Cracked or broken teeth
- Toothaches
- Lost or broken crowns or fillings
- Abscesses and infections
- Gum, lip, and tongue tears and cuts
- Objects stuck in your teeth
Contact Aquila Dental as soon as you notice a serious problem. Getting treatment as soon as possible and hearing instructions from a dental professional on how to handle the emergency until then may be the difference between losing or saving your tooth. You have the best chance of fully restoring a tooth if you get treatment within 12 hours, which is why Aquila Dental is open for same-day emergency appointments.
How do I manage a dental emergency at home?
Dental emergencies may not happen when you expect them or at convenient times, but you can still be prepared. Although it’s not the same as professional care, knowing what you can do at home may help soothe your pain and protect endangered teeth. Aquila Dental offers these guidelines for the following common dental emergencies:
- Keep your knocked-out teeth in milk or a saline solution if you’re unable to put them back in their sockets
- Never administer aspirin directly to your gums
- if there’s bleeding, apply gauze directly to the area
- Use cold compresses to control swelling
- If possible, try to remove caught food particles with floss
When you call Aquila Dental, the team can provide advice on how to handle the emergency until you get to the office.
How do I prevent dental emergencies?
Dental emergencies aren’t always preventable, but certain habits can improve your dental health and protect you against emergencies and lead to the best possible outcomes:
- Practice good dental hygiene, which includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and getting cleanings at least twice a year at Aquila Dental
- Schedule an appointment if you notice pain, injury, or damage to your natural teeth or restorative work, even if it’s not an emergency
- Wear a mouthguard during sports and other recreational activities
- Avoid chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy
- Never chew on non-food objects, like pens or your fingernails
In the event of a dental emergency, call Aquila Dental. The team will see you as soon as possible. You may also use the convenient online booking tool to request an appointment today.
