Dental Emergencies
Ann Arbor, MI
 You do your best to take care of your mouth. You brush and floss your teeth every single day. You maintain regular dental visits for cleanings and exams. Sometimes, however, despite your best efforts, dental emergencies can happen. Moreover, when they do, especially after regular office hours, it is easy to panic. Dental injuries vary in severity, and the required treatment depends on your specific situation. At Everwell Dentistry, we can help you manage your dental emergencies, and help you to get the treatment that you need to restore the health of your mouth.
The First Steps Following an Emergency
When you experience a dental emergency, your first reaction is often to head to the emergency room. In many cases, however, the emergency room is not necessary. The first thing you should do in the event of a dental emergency calls our office right away. If it is during normal office hours, we will try to fit you in as soon as possible. If your emergency occurs after hours, or over the weekend, you should still call and leave a message, and one of our on-call staff will get back to you with the next steps that you should take.
There are several ways in which you can care for your injury at home while you wait for your appointment. Some injuries may not even require any dental treatment at all. In the event of a bitten lip, tongue, or cheek, you should apply gauze to the wound to help stop bleeding. An over the counter pain reliever can often be helpful in the event of pain, and an ice pack can be placed on the cheek near the injury to help minimize swelling. These wounds usually heal on their own in a few days.
In the event of tooth pain, there are a few things you can do. Brush and floss your teeth. Pain may be caused by food that is stuck between your teeth. Rinse your mouth out with salt water, which can help to kill bacteria. If you can, check your gums for signs of swelling, which can indicate an infection.
In Office Emergency Care
There are several types of dental emergencies that can be handled in our office:
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Teeth that have been knocked out. Teeth that have been knocked out, we can often replant them. First, find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown (do not touch the root). Rinse the tooth under cool water and store it in a glass of milk until your appointment. If we cannot replant your tooth, we will discuss your options for replacement.
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Teeth that have been displaced. A tooth that has been partially dislodged, or pushed deeper into the socket, we can reset the tooth into its proper position.
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Teeth that have been chipped or fractured. The severity of the damage will dictate the actions we take. Chips and fractures may require bonding, veneers, or crowns. |
When to Head to the Emergency Room
There are some instances in which it may be best to head to the emergency room. If you are having difficulty breathing, or you are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding, call 911, or head to the ER straight away. You should also go to the ER if you suspect a broken jaw. Symptoms include severe jaw pain, excessive swelling, and numbness in the area. If you are ever in doubt, call 911.
Dental emergencies can be scary, but we are here to help. If you experience a dental emergency, call Everwell Dentistry right away at (734) 973-0000!
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