Do You Need Emergency Dental Care? Four Symptoms You Can’t Ignore

At Stony Brook Family and Laser Dentistry, we provide emergency dental care services to Long Island patients because we know that there are some symptoms that simply can’t wait!

Many people have some reservations about going to the dentist, and it is normal to feel like you might want to “wait things out” and see what happens before making an appointment. However, there are some dental symptoms you simply shouldn’t ignore.

Let’s look at some of the most significant dental symptoms that mean you should make an appointment right now!

1) Traumatic Injury to the Teeth or Gums, or Injury Causing Damage to Braces

If an accident, fall, or other circumstance causes gum bleeding or loss of teeth, you should get an emergency dental appointment if there are no other medical issues to attend to first. If you are suffering from significant bleeding, bruising, or discoloration, go to a hospital.

2) Severe Toothache

Although toothaches can often clue you in to the presence of tooth decay, some toothaches are caused by issues such as bruxism. These toothaches may fade over time – and while you should schedule an appointment to evaluate their underlying cause, they are not always an emergency.

If you have a sudden toothache or one that causes significant, prolonged, distracting pain, you may have a dental emergency that requires removal of the tooth. Thoroughly rinse your mouth, and address any swelling of the mouth with a cold compress applied gently to the outside.

3) Single Tooth Loss Caused by Accident

Gently rinse out the root of the knocked-out tooth to remove debris. Hold the tooth by the crown at all times when rinsing it, and don’t try to remove any oral tissue that might be left on the root. Put the tooth in milk and make an emergency dental appointment. It may be possible for your dentist to reinsert the tooth if action is taken quickly.

4) Lost Fillings or Crown

You can temporarily protect the tooth after a filling loss by placing sugarless gum into the cavity. A crown should be replaced as soon as possible, so call for an emergency dental appointment.

If you have a dental emergency, don’t wait! At Stony Brook Family and Laser Dentistry, we provide emergency dentistry every day of the week. Get in touch right away – the sooner you get treatment, the more likely it is that you will avoid serious health issues!