Emergency Dentistry

What is emergency dentistry?

Emergency dentistry is a branch of oral health care focused on diagnosing and treating mouth-related problems that require immediate medical attention. Whether you need emergency dentistry depends on the severity of the injury and the location of your affected tooth. 

If you bite your tongue or lip while eating, conservative measures of treatment are probably enough to ease your discomfort. However, if you crack or knock-out a tooth, it’s important to act right away. 

What are some common dental emergencies?

At Union Square Dental, the team treats a wide variety of dental emergencies, including: 

• Cracked teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Knocked-out teeth
• Oral abscesses
• Toothaches
• Lacerations
• Lodged foreign objects

The team also treats broken jaws and severe headaches caused by teeth grinding and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. 

If I knock out a permanent tooth, what should I do?

If you knock-out a permanent tooth, it’s important to act as quickly as possible. First, pick up the tooth by its crown and gently rinse it off in cool tap water. After removing any dirt or debris, put your tooth in a glass of milk or tuck it inside your cheek, just be careful not to swallow it. 

Next, call the team at Union Square Dental –– if it’s a weekday during normal business hours, simply walk into the office. The dental team always sets aside time for same-day appointments. If you call, explain the situation to the receptionist. They may be able to provide you with tips or insights to manage your pain on the way to the office. 

Is there any way to prevent the need for emergency dentistry?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to prevent the need for emergency dentistry entirely. However, there are steps you can take to lower your risk significantly. For example, if you play a contact sport like hockey or rugby, it’s important you wear a mouthguard. If you grind your teeth or suffer from TMJ, you should also wear a nightguard while you sleep to prevent wear-and-tear of your enamel. Finally, you should avoid bad habits such as tobacco use, biting your fingernails, or chewing on ice cubes and hard candies. These adjustments can keep your teeth healthy and problem-free for years to come. 

If you or a loved one need emergency dentistry, request an appointment at Union Square Dental today by calling the office or using the online booking tool.