English 
Spanish In an emergency situation, we turn to professionals for advice or help. We call the fire department for assistance when there’s a fire in the house. If we see a car accident, we look for a traffic cop to tell us where to go. If you break your arm, an emergency room doctor can help set it right. So it makes sense that you’d turn to an emergency dentist like Dr. Bruce Fine of Fine Dental Care in a dental emergency. Dental emergencies can take many forms, but one of the biggest factors in the outcome is seeking timely, professional help. An emergency dentist like Dr. Fine can often fix your problem that day, provided you take swift action.
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation related to your teeth or gums that requires urgent care. Some examples include:
- Severe toothache: Consistent, intense tooth pain is a red flag. This might indicate an infection or damage that requires immediate attention.
- Dental trauma: Accidents can lead to chipped, fractured, or even knocked-out teeth. Save the chipped pieces and bring them with you, as we can often successfully repair them. Quick action can mean the difference between saving or losing your tooth.
- Abscesses: Do you notice a swollen, pimple-like spot on your gums? You might be dealing with a serious oral infection that needs quick treatment. Rinsing your mouth with a mild salt-water solution can help in the meantime.
- Uncontrolled bleeding: If you’re bleeding from the mouth without any signs of stopping, it’s an emergency.
- Damaged dental restorations: If your crown, bridge, or denture is damaged, it can affect your daily life and oral health. Quick repairs or replacements can get you back on track and help avoid situations like needing a root canal or tooth extraction.
What’s Not Considered an Emergency?
Understanding what is and isn’t an emergency can help you take a more appropriate course of action. The key is recognizing when you need immediate and urgent care. For instance, a minor chip in your tooth, a slightly loose crown, broken braces, an object stuck in your teeth, or a toothache that isn’t very painful should all be addressed but aren’t considered emergencies. Regular dental check-ups or planned treatments can deal with these common issues.
Emergency Room vs. Emergency Dentist
A common question we receive is, “Should I go to the emergency room for a dental emergency?” The issue with going to a hospital or urgent care facility for your dental emergency is that most emergency rooms won’t have a dentist on staff or the proper equipment to deal with dental problems. They can help with uncontrollable bleeding, so in the case of a cut that won’t close, yes, you should go to the ER. You should also go there if your dental trauma is so severe that it will require immediate surgery—a fractured jaw, for example. In almost all other cases, they will likely just give you some pain medication and send you on your way.
This is where it’s important to contact an emergency dentist like Dr. Fine. Our practice reserves time throughout the day to schedule same-day emergency cases so we can see those patients immediately. If you call after hours, we will have instructions on our voicemail, and an on-call dentist may be available. Your dental health is our top priority, and we will do everything we can to see you within one hour of your call.
What To Do With a Knocked-Out Tooth
About 5 million teeth are knocked out every year, making it one of the most common dental emergencies. However, with quick action, you can save the tooth.
- Pick up the knocked-out tooth by the chewing end, not the root.
- Carefully rinse any dirt off the tooth with water—don’t scrub the tooth, and leave any fragments of tissue that may be attached.
- If possible, carefully reinsert the tooth back into the empty socket. Make sure it’s facing the right way, and don’t force it in.
- If reinsertion isn’t possible, store your tooth in a small amount of milk or a cup of salt water if milk isn’t available.
- See an emergency dentist like Dr. Fine within one hour.
The Cost of a Dental Emergency
When you’re experiencing a dental emergency, the last thing you want to be thinking about is how much treatment will cost. This may cause some hesitation, but waiting can lead to bigger (and pricier) problems down the road. At Fine Dental Care, we’re all about helping you get through a dental emergency quickly and comfortably. Navigating insurance and financing can be tricky, especially in a stressful situation, but our experienced staff is here to help you understand your options.
Act Quickly in a Dental Emergency
We can’t stress this enough: if you believe you’re facing a dental emergency, it’s crucial to act swiftly—not just for your oral health but also for your overall well-being and peace of mind. Dr. Bruce Fine and our entire team are here to offer you the best possible care as quickly as possible. When a dental emergency strikes, call Fine Dental Care to schedule a same-day appointment with an emergency dentist.
