Emergency Dentistry
You take great care of your teeth, but you can still experience a dental emergency. You might lose a tooth from falling and hitting your mouth. Or you might have a crown that comes loose. No matter what you’re dealing with, we offer emergency dentistry in Dandridge and Jefferson City, TN. Our dentists are here to treat urgent dental issues that can’t wait!
What Causes Urgent Tooth Problems?
Anything that leads to trauma or injury to a tooth can cause an emergency situation. Some possible causes of these situations include the following:
- Excessive or frequent teeth grinding or jaw clenching
- Mouth injuries from contact sports
- Tooth injuries from falling or other accidents
- Biting on food or non-food items that are hard, like pens or hard candy
- Using teeth as tools
- Infections
Why Avoid Delays?
Waiting to have an urgent tooth problem treated means you’re taking a risk of losing the affected tooth. Infections can grow worse and spread to other teeth. Teeth that are knocked out may not be able to attach to the root again. Damaged teeth or tooth restorations also increase the risk of letting bacteria in, leading to additional problems. Emergency care helps prevent these kinds of complications from happening.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Did you know that an avulsed tooth can be saved with timely care? If it’s put in the socket again within an hour of falling out, it can usually reattach to the root. But if you wait longer than that, we may not be able to save it.
Here’s what to do in this situation:
- Hold the tooth at the crown, then rinse it in warm water
- Avoid touching the root
- Try to put it in the socket if possible
- Put it in a cup of water or milk so it won’t dry out
- Bring the tooth to our office fast
Lost Crowns and Fillings
Did one of these restorations fall out? That can happen if you eat something sticky or hard or if the tooth is decaying. Biting into certain foods can cause a crown or filling to become loose. If you have decay, these restorations can fall out as the tooth shape changes. Bringing the filling or crown in right away allows us to put it back on if possible. If you can’t get to our office immediately, you can rinse your crown and use dental cement to hold it in place.
Broken or Cracked Teeth
Do you have a damaged tooth from trauma or teeth grinding? Cracks can start out small and not cause any discomfort. But over time, they may get bigger and reach deeper into the tooth. This might trigger pain that gets worse. If part of your tooth breaks off, you may be able to save it. Rinse it off, and use dental cement to hold it in place. You should still see us for urgent care to lower the risk of infections or more damage.
Loosened or Dislodged Teeth
Is the affected tooth still attached to the root? If so, our dentists may save it when you come in for emergency help. Teeth can become loose or move out of place due to injuries or tooth decay. You should see us as soon as possible to increase the chance of saving your tooth.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Care
A slightly achy tooth might not need treatment right away — but severe pain or any injuries to a tooth typically mean you need help immediately. Call our dental office if you’re experiencing any signs of a tooth emergency!
What to Expect During Visits
This depends on why you’re seeing us. We’ll assess the damage or injury and recommend treatment, such as replacing a crown or reattaching a lost tooth. If you end up with a tooth that can’t be saved, we can discuss replacement options with you!
Visit Us for Emergency Dental Services!
Have a tooth injury or another urgent problem? We can help! Our dental team offers emergency dentistry in Jefferson City and Dandridge, TN, to ensure prompt care that may help save your tooth or prevent other serious issues!
