What qualifies for a dental emergency?
It could be various things. One of the things is if you're having severe pain, which is throbbing and has not stopped for a number of hours or days. Pain that is constant and throbbing could indicate an emergency. Other signs include sudden swelling on your face or a broken tooth, especially if it's causing pain. Even if you have a broken tooth without pain, it is still considered a dental emergency.
What do I do if I lost a tooth?
The very first thing would be to definitely call your dental office or dentist. If you do not have a dentist, search on Google and start calling the offices to make sure you're able to get into a dental office as soon as you can. You should keep the tooth or even a piece of it and take it to the dental office. The dentist will examine you, take necessary x-rays, evaluate your mouth, and then treat you based on the examination.
Can you treat a lost tooth in one visit?
It depends on your exact situation. Sometimes if you lost a tooth, a surgeon might be able to place an immediate implant, but that really depends on the situation. We will need to take your x-rays, possibly do a 3D scan, and ensure your bone is suitable for an implant. In the best-case scenario, after evaluation, you could possibly leave with an implant, though not a full tooth. Some offices might provide a temporary tooth, known as a mini denture, which you can take in and out. In some circumstances, you're able to get your tooth replaced the same day.
How do I handle a dental emergency after hours?
There are ways to handle a dental emergency after hours. First, give our office a call right away. Ensure it's a dental emergency and not related to medical issues. You will be prompted to reach one of the doctors. If available, they will guide you on the next steps. If not, leave a message, and they will contact you as soon as possible to help with your needs.
What can I do to manage severe tooth pain until my appointment comes?
If your appointment is the next day and you're experiencing pain at night, try taking over-the-counter medication. Sometimes applying a cold compress helps. Patients often experience more pain when lying down, so try to keep upright if possible. If your appointment is a few days away, call the office for an evaluation, and the doctor might prescribe pain medication or antibiotics. You can also visit the nearest emergency room for stronger pain medication.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact Smiles by the Sea at (603) 634-9445 to find out if you need to be seen right away at our dental office in Hampton, NH.
We offer same-day appointments and handle all dental emergencies in-house, making it possible for you to stress a little less and get the emergency dentistry you need right away.
True Dental Emergencies
Some of the most common dental emergencies include:
- Knocked-out tooth: It is sometimes possible to save a knocked-out tooth but you must act quickly and call your dentist right away for directions.
- Dislodged tooth: A blow to the mouth that shifts a tooth out of place is time-sensitive and must be addressed right away to save the tooth.
- Severe toothache: A serious toothache means something isn’t right. Even if the problem isn’t visible, it’s there, and it won’t go away without dental intervention.
- Dental abscess: Swollen, red, pus-filled gums are signs of an abscess, a deep tooth infection that can cause both oral health problems and overall health complications if not treated quickly.
- Broken tooth: A broken tooth is susceptible to the invasion of food and bacteria, which can lead to decay and infections. Get this tended to right away.
- Damaged dental work: It is inconvenient to lose a crown or filling and you want to get it fixed as soon as possible, but this may not require a same-day appointment.
- Injured jaw or mouth: Trauma to the jaw or mouth may not leave obvious problems behind, but when it’s followed by pain there could be below-surface complications that cause oral health problems.
- Bleeding gums: The mouth is full of many tiny blood vessels and when they get hit, they bleed, a lot. Sometimes the injury looks much worse than it is. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, that’s the time to call your dentist.
Cost Factors of Emergency Dentistry
One of the main reasons people choose to suffer with tooth or mouth pain is because they don’t want to incur the cost of getting their dental emergency addressed. We implore you to not worry about cost factors. What’s most important is getting your oral health back to normal and eliminating all complications. The longer you wait to have a problem taken care of, the worse it will get, and the greater likelihood that you will need more in-depth and expensive treatments to make all the necessary repairs.
Every dental emergency is unique and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. At Smiles by the Sea, we diagnose you quickly to determine what procedures are needed most to ease the pain you’re in. Cost factors include:
- The repair(s) needed
- Materials used
- Whether you need after-hours or weekend dentistry
- If sedation dentistry is needed
- Location of the dental office
Get Emergency Dentistry in Hampton, NH Today
We take every dental concern seriously at Smiles by the Sea. Even if you think your problem is minor, we want to hear from you. You may not need to be seen the same day, but then again, you might. It’s important to know you have a dentist you can rely on for emergency dental care at any time.
Remember, a true dental emergency will not go away on its own – but your Hampton, NH, dentist can always fix it. The sooner you get treatment, the faster your problem is fixed. When a dental emergency is left unattended, it can lead to extreme complications. Contact us today to get the oral health care you need right away and save yourself from tooth loss, complications, hospitalization from infection, and extensive repairs.