At Lane Family Dental, we know that dental emergencies can bring your life to a stand-still. Even if you aren’t in pain, the anxiety of knowing that something is wrong with your tooth makes it hard to think about anything else. For this reason, we always make time in our schedule for dental emergencies. It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time patient or an old friend; your emergency is our emergency. We will take the time to solve your problem, so you can get back to living your life.
Are you currently experiencing a dental emergency? Call Lane Family Dental of Wasilla, AK for an emergency appointment. Call 907-373-2200 today!
What Constitutes an Emergency?
Some of the more common dental emergencies include toothache, a broken tooth, dislodged dental work, or a knocked-out tooth. If you are in severe pain, we always consider the situation an emergency! Call us to tell us about your symptoms and we will make time in our schedule for you, the same day when possible.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
If your tooth has been knocked out and is in one piece, bring it to our office as quickly as you can. Call us on the way to let us know you are coming. Do not rinse or clean the tooth, but instead put it in a small container of milk or saliva. It is sometimes possible to reattach an avulsed (knocked-out) tooth if the connective tissues are intact. If you are bleeding from the socket, bite down on a clean wet cloth, but do not rinse and spit to clean the mouth. Do not try to replace the tooth yourself if there’s any way you can get to us in the next few hours. It’s always best to let your dentist put it back into its proper place.
Toothache
Any toothache should always prompt you to call the dentist. If the pain is severe and interferes with your ability to eat, sleep, or maintain your other routines, we will try to see you the same day.
Severe toothaches are usually the result of an infected tooth. They may also be caused by cracks, failing dental work, or gum inflammation. If a decayed tooth is causing you pain, this means the infection has reached the nerve endings in the pulp chamber and the infection is capable of spreading to the bloodstream. It is critical that you visit a dentist if you have a toothache, because you may be at risk of developing an abscess in the gum tissue. This can result in the infection spreading to the rest of the body, and this can be fatal if neglected.
If your toothache is accompanied by facial swelling and/or fever, this means the infection has already spread outside the tooth and your health is being compromised. Call us immediately or get yourself to an emergency medical clinic right away.
If You’ve Been in an Accident
If you’ve had a tooth damaged or knocked out during an accident, you should always be seen by a doctor first. You may have lacerations or contusions that require medical attention. If you have any bleeding wounds to the face or mouth, go directly to the hospital and call us after you have been seen by a doctor.
Dental Emergencies in Children
Children should always be taken seriously if they complain of a toothache. Children are just as likely to suffer from cavities as adults, and a toothache may mean they need a dental restoration. If your child is in pain, look in his/her mouth yourself, and try to determine whether there is a dark spot on the tooth that can’t be brushed away. A dark spot means you are probably dealing with a cavity. If the tooth looks fine, floss the area to make sure the pain isn’t being caused by a piece of food lodged in the gums.
If your child has lost a baby tooth prematurely, do not try to put the tooth back into a his or her mouth. This may damage the adult teeth growing in your child’s jaw. Call us for an appointment if your child loses a baby tooth before it became loose on its own. Children need all their teeth for proper chewing and speaking, and it’s sometimes necessary to fit them with a prosthetic or spacer until the adult tooth grows in.
Home-Care for Toothaches
If you have made an appointment, there are some things you can do at home to make yourself more comfortable while you wait.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
- Apply an ice-pack to the cheek. Do not put ice inside the mouth, however.
- Avoid eating foods that require chewing, biting or otherwise using the affected tooth.
- Brush and floss the tooth, to make sure there are no particles of food lodged in the cavity.
- Apply a small amount of eugenol (clove oil) to the tooth with a cotton swab. This is a natural anesthetic that may numb the tooth temporarily. Eugenol is often available at pharmacies and drug stores, sometimes in “toothache kits.”
A Broken or Dislodged Dental Crown
If your crown has come off, you should always try to replace it until your appointment. The tooth underneath the crown will be sensitive and it is more vulnerable to damage than your untreated teeth. You may be able to find some temporary dental adhesive at a pharmacy, but a small piece of sugarless gum can also be used to put the crown back into place. Call us for an appointment and tell us what your situation is. If the crown is in one piece, we can re-bond it to your tooth. If it is broken, we can fit you with a temporary crown while your new one is being made.
Are you having a dental emergency? Lane Family Dental of Wasilla, AK does not want you to suffer in silence. We always make emergencies a priority and will see you right away. Call 907-373-2200 today!
