Dental Emergencies

What is a dental emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation with your teeth, gums, or oral tissues that requires immediate attention. Alta Canyada Dental Group is located right next to a hospital and offers same-day appointments, so it’s particularly well-suited to handle a wide range of dental emergencies. Dr. Beck is also a highly skilled dentist who is calm under pressure and can ensure that your smile gets the care that it needs in a timely manner.

If you’ve experienced a dental emergency, get to the office as soon as possible. Waiting too long to treat a dental emergency could result in you permanently losing your damaged tooth. If you’ve experienced head or neck trauma in addition to your dental emergency, however, you should seek care with your general physician or an emergency room before coming to Alta Canyada Dental Group.

What are some examples of dental emergencies?

You might experience dental emergencies as a result of an automobile accident, a sports injury, a fall, or just biting down on something awkwardly. Some particular dental emergencies that Dr. Beck and his team can provide care for include:

• Severe pain in your tooth
• A tooth that’s broken, chipped, fractured, or cracked
• Loss of a restoration like a crown or filling
• A tooth that’s been partially or fully knocked out
• Tears, cuts, or lacerations to your lips, tongue, cheek, or gums

If you’ve had an accident that you think might be a dental emergency, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. Call Alta Canyada Dental Group to speak to one of the knowledgeable team members. They can do an initial assessment of your condition over the phone and determine whether or not you should come in for emergency care.

What should I do if I knock out my tooth?

If you’ve knocked out your tooth, there are some measures that you can take before you see Dr. Beck that can increase the likelihood of being able to save your tooth.

First, try to locate the knocked-out tooth and rinse it off with lukewarm water. Make sure only to hold the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the roots.

Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, as well, then try to reinsert the tooth into the empty socket. If you’re able to get it back in, bite down gently to keep it in place until you can see Dr. Beck.

If you’re unable to get the tooth back in its socket, keep it in the side of your mouth or store it in a glass of saliva or milk. This will prevent the roots from drying out and make it easier to restore it in your smile.

For dental emergencies, call the team at Dr. Beck and the team at Alta Canyada Dental Group. Call the office today to book your appointment.