Qualified Emergency Dentistry in Holladay
Dental emergencies happen without warning. When one or more of your teeth become compromised through an accident, infection, or illness, it can cause a lot of pain and stress.
At Smart Dental Care, we believe professional intervention is important for addressing critical dental emergencies. Our team of dedicated professionals treats every emergency with promptness and great care so you can find relief and healing as soon as possible.
Got an emergency? Give us a call! Don’t wait to contact the qualified staff at Smart Dental Care in Holladay, Utah! We’ll be here to offer you swift, efficient dental care no matter the cause of your dental crisis.
Dental Emergencies Need Quick, Professional Attention
In times of dental crisis, a trip to the emergency room is not always the answer. Some accidents, injuries, and severe toothaches require a competent dental professional to properly diagnose and treat the problem.
No two dental emergencies look precisely the same. However, if you or a loved one are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, you should seek prompt emergency dental care:
- A severe toothache.
- A broken or loose crown.
- Swelling in the gums or soft tissues.
- Abnormal bleeding.
- Significant sensitivity to temperature or pressure.
- Intense pain when chewing or eating.
- Breaks or cracks in permanent teeth.
Experience Smart Dental Care’s Highly-Trained Emergency Dental Team
The long-term health of your smile is crucial for other aspects of your health, so we treat dental emergencies with the seriousness they deserve.
Dental emergencies can impact one or more teeth and any dental appliances you rely on to speak, chew, smile, and maintain strong, healthy teeth. Our team can restore your smile.
Cutting-Edge Technology & Knowledgeable Staff
Our practice takes pride in the advanced, state-of-the-art tools and techniques we employ to make your experience as pleasant and efficient as possible.
Call our skilled team based in Holladay, UT to experience skilled emergency dental care right when you need it the most.
Smart Dental Care Is Here To Help With Dental Emergencies
You want a smart dentist who can provide you with smart-looking results in a time of stress and pain. Our Holladay Team is committed to helping you perfect your amazing smile. If you are in pain, don’t wait! Get relief with Dr. Ashton and Dr. Nguyen today!
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Common Reasons for Dental Emergencies
Common Reasons for Dental Emergencies
Knocked-Out Tooth
Dental trauma can be serious. The most severe of these instances is known as a tooth avulsion—or when a permanent tooth breaks at the root or is knocked out of its socket.
If this happens to you, follow the following steps:
- Handle the tooth with care, never touching the delicate root area.
- Gently clean the tooth with milk, saline, or clean water.
- Let it dry and carefully attempt to place it back in the socket.
- Ensure the tooth remains moist in the socket, a glass of milk, or your cheek.
- Seek emergency dental care right away.
Cracked Teeth
If you bite down too hard on solid material or receive a blow to your mouth, face, or jaw, you might crack or break your teeth. This can be painful and dangerous. Cracked or broken teeth can be vulnerable to bacterial infections.
Cracked teeth are not always visible, and not all cracks indicate an emergency. However, some symptoms should prompt you to seek emergency dental care as soon as you can:
- Increased sensitivity to temperature.
- Pain while biting or chewing.
- Swelling and inflammation.
- Toothaches or jaw pain.
- Visible fractures.
Broken or Chipped Teeth
Though your teeth are made of strong enamel, they may break or chip if you slip, fall, or hit your tooth on something hard. Broken or chipped teeth, however, are not always the result of dental trauma. Even grinding your teeth can cause dental injuries like chipped teeth.
As soon as you notice a chipped or broken tooth, seek repair from an emergency dentist right away. Be sure to take anti-inflammatory medications, use ice or a cold compress to reduce any swelling, and save any pieces of your tooth by keeping them moist and clean.
Loose or Missing Fillings
Previously filled cavities can become loose or fall out completely. To prevent further damage to the exposed tooth, get the cavity refilled as soon as possible.
If you can, keep the loose filling. Your dentist may advise you to use temporary dental wax or putty on your tooth until you can get the cavity repaired.
Dislodged fillings can be painful as the inner layers of your tooth are exposed and sensitive to external stimuli and bacteria. Be sure to always seek prompt emergency dental care if severe pain or sensitivity impacts your teeth.
Broken/Detached Crowns
Dental crowns are designed to last for 15 or more years. When the crown is compromised, the tooth below becomes highly susceptible to contamination and irritation.
If a crown breaks or falls out, call us immediately. We can instruct you on home care steps to take before you make it to our office.
It may be possible to re-bond or reattach the existing crown to your tooth, but in some cases, we may need to make a new crown. If your missing crown has led to an infection, you may need a root canal, an extraction, or a dental implant.
Dental Emergencies Caused By Infection
Home Remedies While You Wait For The Dentist
You might need to wait a bit before your dentist appointment, and these home remedies can help decrease the pain while you wait. Toothaches, broken teeth, and infections can be painful, but with these tips, your wait for an appointment doesn’t have to be miserable.
Warm Salt Water
If you have swollen gums, rinsing with warm salt water can help decrease swelling and provide pain relief. Saltwater is antibacterial, so it can also help with the infection. Plus, swishing it in your mouth can help release anything stuck in your teeth or gums.
To make warm salt water, mix about 1 teaspoon with about 8 oz of warm water. Make sure that the water has cooled before you use it; it should be lukewarm.
Ice Cold Compress
Using an ice pack or cold compress on a painful tooth can be very helpful. The cold can help reduce the swelling, which will relieve the pain. Plus, the cold can distract you from the pain and numb the area a little.
You can use an ice pack from the store, an instant ice pack from a first aid kit, or just a baggie filled with ice as a cold compress. Place it on your cheek wherever the pain is worst.
Use Painkillers
Painkillers decrease the amount of swelling and overall pain in an area. Some medications can increase swelling, so be sure to call your dentist and ask which of these over-the-counter medications to take to help with pain.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These include Advil, Ibuprofen, and Motrin
- Naproxen: These include the brand Aleve and other similar generic brands containing anti-inflammatory drugs.
Try Analgesic Gel
While painkillers like NSAIDs and naproxen are often helpful, you might also want to try an analgesic gel with your home care regimen. This is a special numbing gel designed to decrease dental pain. It can be purchased over the counter.
Oral analgesics are meant to be put directly on the gums to numb the area and give great pain relief. Many also have antibacterial properties, getting rid of harmful bacteria.
Commonly Asked Emergency Dentistry Questions
Find the answers to some of the most commonly asked emergency dentistry questions. Understanding dental emergencies now can help reduce future stress. Dental emergencies include a wide variety of mishaps, so don’t be hesitant to call your dentist for more information.
It can be hard to tell whether to schedule a dental appointment or just head to the emergency room when you’re having a dental emergency. The answer depends on your situation.
Head to the emergency room if you experience any of the following:
- High fever.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Broken or injured jaw/facial bones.
- Severe pain.
- Profuse bleeding.
Other, less severe issues can be treated at an emergency dentist’s office.
While you might be tempted to just yank out a tooth that is causing you pain and other problems, you should never attempt to pull your own tooth.
Pulling your own tooth can:
- Damage the nerve tissue.
- Leave you open to infection.
- Create more pain and swelling.
- Lead to more complications.
Plus, without a dentist’s opinion, you don’t know if the tooth needs to be pulled. No one wants a missing tooth for no reason!
Bad toothaches can affect other areas of your life, especially sleep. This is mainly due to your sleeping position. Laying down can make more blood go to your head, putting undue pressure on sore or swollen areas in your mouth.
To help in this situation, it is best to prop up your head up as much as you can. You can also use cold compresses to reduce the swelling that can be caused while you are asleep.
In dental emergencies, the sooner you receive professional care, the healthier your smile will be in the long run. Smart Dental Care staff reserve time during regular business hours specifically for emergency dental crises.
We do everything in our power to see emergency patients immediately, whether by offering guidance over the phone while you wait for treatment or with hands-on intervention right away.
We usually welcome new patients. To see if we have any openings, call our office. Here at Smart Dental Care, we will do everything possible to treat your dental emergency as soon as possible. You will need to fill out new patient forms before we can treat you, but that shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
Once we have your new patient forms, we’ll be able to assess your situation and recommend treatment.
The cost of your emergency dental appointment will depend on the scope of your emergency situation and the types of services required to remedy your smile.
While emergency care is often more expensive than regular dental visits, we strive to provide efficient, comprehensive care with your health and financial circumstances in mind. We accept most major credit card companies and offer a CareCredit payment plan.
Call Smart Dental Care for Emergency Dental Appointments in Holladay
Smart Dental Care will do everything possible to accommodate your needs, relieve your dental pain, and restore your smile. Do you have a dental emergency? Contact our office today. Proper diagnosis and quick action can make all the difference in a dental emergency!
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