Emergency Dentistry Specialist

What is emergency dentistry?

Bahia Dental Group can address many dental needs during a routine appointment, but sometimes you may need more immediate attention. A dental emergency is a scenario in which you experience one or more of the following:

• Severe pain
• Knocked-out tooth
• Broken tooth
• Gum or facial swelling
• Signs of infection
• Significantly loosened tooth
• Fractured or cracked tooth

Contact Bahia Dental Group any time you encounter a sudden worsening of tooth or gum pain or sustain damage to your teeth or soft tissues within your mouth.

What should I do in the case of a dental emergency?

The first step is to take action to secure your health and safety. If you’re involved in a car accident or sustain a sports injury, assess your immediate medical condition. If you have uncontrolled bleeding, chest pain, obvious broken bones, or other serious medical needs, call 911 to seek emergency medical care.

If your pain or injury is limited to your mouth, call or have a friend or family member call Bahia Dental Group to explain the situation and get personalized, real-time triage instructions. If you notice bleeding, bite down gently on clean gauze to slow the bleeding.

You can take over-the-counter pain medication to address discomfort, but avoid prescription medications, as they can interact with any medication you receive during treatment. Also avoid over-the-counter oral pain gels or creams, which can burn and damage your gum tissue.

If you have a knocked-out tooth, gather the tooth and try to place it back in its socket or secure it between your gum line and cheek until you reach the office. You can also place the tooth in a small container and cover it with milk. These steps can increase the chances that the tooth can be saved.

What can I do to prevent a dental emergency?

Although you can't prevent all dental emergencies, you can take proactive steps to reduce your level of risk. If you participate in sports or fitness pursuits, consider using a mouth guard to protect your teeth and gums. Helmets are important for biking, skating, and other activities that could lead to facial trauma.

Maintaining good dental health is also a great way to reduce your risk of sudden pain related to an abscess, advanced tooth decay, or gum disease. Routine dental exams and cleanings allow you and Dr. Oghabian to address dental needs as they arise when treatment can often be most effective.

If you or a family member suffers a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to call Bahia Dental Group for an emergency appointment. Walk-ins are also accepted.