Life is unpredictable, and for around 1 in 6 Americans each year, that unpredictability results in a dental emergency. If you happen to be in this unlucky group, you can enjoy some peace of mind knowing that the care you need is easily available. For toothaches, knocked-out teeth, and any other urgent dental issue you can imagine, our practice is ready to help right away with a same-day emergency appointment. Just give us a call, and we’ll work to see you immediately to solve your problem.
It’s easy to panic in the middle of a dental emergency, but no matter what your situation might be, you only need to remember one thing: give our practice a call. We’ll listen to you, walk you through first-aid, and let you know if you should come to see us. In the meantime, here are a few ways you can take control during the most common dental emergencies.
Rinse and floss around the tooth to remove anything that might be stuck and causing the pain, and if this doesn’t help, go ahead and take an over-the-counter medication. If there is any swelling, place a cold compress on the face in 10-minute increments.
Gently rinse the mouth with warm water and try to recover the broken-off portion of the tooth. Place it in a safe container and bring it to our office. If the remaining tooth has a jagged edge, be sure to cover it with some dental wax or sugarless gum to protect the soft oral tissues.
You need to move fast in this situation, as we have the best chance of saving a dislodged tooth if we see you within an hour of the accident. Lightly rinse the tooth, and make sure it stays wet until you see us; this will keep it alive. You can either hold it under your tongue or put it in a container with milk or saltwater.
If you still have the restoration, try to place it back onto your tooth if possible, securing it with some toothpaste if needed. Try to avoid chewing with that part of your mouth, and be sure to come see us for a full repair soon.
While our team does everything it can to help our patients keep their teeth, sometimes, a tooth is simply too forgone to be repaired. In these cases, we will recommend an extraction. Thanks to Dr. Rojas’ gentle touch, our relaxation amenities, and sedation options, most patients describe feeling practically nothing while in the chair. Afterward, Dr. Rojas can replace the tooth right away to minimize any time spent with an incomplete smile.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is your main jaw joint, and you can likely feel the little hinges right in front of your ears. Whether due to injury, teeth grinding, or a crooked bite, many patients can develop a TMJ disorder, or TMD. This is characterized by chronic jaw pain, stiffness, and constant popping and clicking whenever the mouth moves. Dr. Rojas can figure out the root of the problem and use BOTOX® therapy to treat it so it goes away and stays away.
The cost of your emergency treatment will be based directly on the type of procedure you need to address your injury. While it may be tempting to just “tough it out,” it’s always better to come see us sooner rather than later, as this will prevent the problem from becoming more advanced and requiring more care. We’ll make sure you fully understand your options and the costs involved before we provide any treatment.
