Emergency Dentistry

What is emergency dentistry?

Emergency dentistry addresses a wide range of urgent dental health needs. One way to think about dental emergencies is to consider whether you can wait to have your need addressed during a regularly scheduled visit or need more prompt attention instead. 

Some examples of dental emergencies include: 

• Significant swelling of mouth, tongue, or gums
• Severe tooth, gum, or mouth pain
• Broken or cracked teeth
• Lacerations on your lips, tongue, or gums
• Loose teeth
• Signs of infection
• Traumatic or sports injuries to the face or teeth
• Knocked-out tooth

In short, if you feel you can’t wait for a routine dental visit to address your needs, call the office to book an emergency dental visit. 

What should I do for a knocked-out tooth?

A knocked-out or avulsed tooth is one of the most common types of dental emergencies. Prompt action can make the difference between saving or losing the tooth.

If possible, your first step should be to try to place the tooth back into its socket. If the tooth is covered in dirt or debris, gently rinse it first.  

Avoid touching the root portion of the tooth, which is covered in living cells. Bite down on a piece of gauze or cloth to keep the tooth in place. 

You can also place the tooth in the space between your gum and cheek tissue, which keeps it moist and covered in saliva. You could also put the tooth in a small container of milk. 

Call Smile Studio of Buford right away to determine how quickly you can see Dr. Workman. Getting to the office swiftly improves the chances of successfully saving the tooth. 

How can I prevent dental emergencies?

In some cases, no degree of care or preparation can prevent a dental emergency. That said, you can ward off many types of common dental emergencies if you take the proper steps.  

If you or your child plays a sport or engages in activities that bring a high risk of facial trauma, wearing the proper protective gear can greatly reduce your risk of dental emergencies. Mouthguards are a good option in many cases, and helmets also provide a degree of protection. 

Coming in for routine professional dental exams and cleanings is a great way to prevent dental issues from developing into dental emergencies. Your teeth and gums are carefully checked during each visit, and if you need restorative care, you learn about available options. 

Suffering a dental emergency can be a stressful experience, but the team at Smile Studio of Buford is here to help. Reach out to the office by phone to discuss same-day scheduling options, or online booking is always available for non-urgent care.

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