Dental emergencies can occur at any time, often when we least expect them. While some can be managed with at-home care like cold compresses and ibuprofen, others require immediate attention from a dentist.
While hospital emergency rooms are skilled Dentists in Albuquerque NM, they are not trained to handle dental problems like severe tooth pain or a knocked-out tooth.
Broken Filling
While fillings and crowns can last for decades, they are not immune to damage. Biting down on hard foods, facial trauma, or teeth grinding can cause a filling to crack or fall out. If this happens, it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible.
A cracked or broken filling can expose the underlying tooth to infection and other complications. If the crack is not severe, a dental professional may recommend that it is treated with a root canal and crown rather than an extraction.
To protect your teeth and gums, rinse the area with lukewarm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If possible, keep the fragment of the broken filling and bring it with you to your emergency appointment. Until then, take over-the-counter painkillers and use an ice pack to ease the pain. You may also wish to try chewing on the opposite side of your mouth. This can help prevent the piece from being swallowed and injuring your mouth further.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If a tooth is knocked out (also called avulsed) it is considered a Dentist in Albuquerque NM and the sooner we are able to see the patient, the higher the chances for saving it long term. Typically, the more gentle and less traumatic the handling of the tooth is, the better.
It’s important to only touch the tooth’s crown or chewing surface and avoid touching the root. Rinse it with lukewarm water, being careful not to scrub or dry it off.
Then, place the tooth back in its socket if possible. If you can’t get the tooth back in, put it in a cup of milk and come to see us immediately. Let us know if the tooth is a baby one or an adult — baby teeth are rarely reimplanted because they can interfere with the development of the adult ones beneath. Knocked out teeth that are seen within an hour of being knocked out tend to have the best chance for survival.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums are a dental concern that can be caused by many factors including brushing too roughly, using a hard-bristled toothbrush, taking blood thinners, pregnancy, an ill-fitting retainer or denture, a new flossing routine, and gingivitis. Bleeding gums are a sign of an infection and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading and damaging the soft tissue around your teeth.
If your gums bleed when brushing or flossing, rinse with saltwater to reduce inflammation and help to raw out trapped bacteria. If the bleeding persists call us or schedule an appointment.
We’ll provide you with a regimented oral care routine to keep the bacteria at bay, scaling and root planing to thoroughly clean your gums to prevent infection from progressing, and antibiotics to control bacterial growth. We’ll also teach you how to improve your oral hygiene practices at home to prevent bleeding gums in the future. This non-surgical periodontal treatment can reverse the damage of gum disease and save your teeth.
Toothache
Tooth pain can be caused by a variety of issues. It may be a result of a tooth cavity, cracked tooth or gum disease. If left untreated, a toothache can worsen and lead to serious oral problems that affect your overall health.
Persistent toothache that cannot be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers is a dental emergency and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Similarly, pain accompanied by swelling and fever also indicates an urgent need for care.
While the emergency room can offer some temporary relief of a dental problem, they do not have dentists on staff and are not trained in assessing or treating dental emergencies. Instead, visit 24 Hour Dentist & Dental Care for your urgent dental care needs. We will determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We offer same-day appointments. We also accept dental insurance and CareCredit. Dental emergencies can often be prevented with regular visits to the dentist and proper oral hygiene.