Emergency Dentist Bloomington MN

Emergency Dental Services

“Emergency dentistry” isn’t just one thing. There are a few different emergency dental services your dentist may need to perform. Some of these include:

• Tooth Extraction. Tooth extraction is a last resort. Your dentist will do everything possible to preserve as much of your tooth as they can. With that said, there are times when a tooth is so damaged that there is no other option than to extract the tooth and replace it. When your dentist extracts a tooth, they will provide a local anesthetic around the area to lessen any pain. They will then pull the tooth. If your tooth is broken below the gumline, the procedure may be more advanced, and a higher level of sedation may be required. This may include putting you to sleep and providing a surgical procedure to remove the tooth.
• Root Canal. If your tooth is abscessed down to the nerve for a long period of time or has been severely fractured, an emergency root canal procedure may need to be performed to save the tooth. While a root canal procedure may take multiple appointments, the initial emergency appointment will involve your dentist removing bacteria and providing immediate pain relief. It’s extremely important to make your follow-up appointment once this is done.
• Dental Bonding. If your tooth is cracked or chipped, dental bonding may be the best emergency repair option. Keep in mind dental bonding is not for severe cracks and chips—it is only for superficial issues. If the damage is worse, a veneer, crown, or even an extraction may be required.
• Medication. If your dentist isn’t able to perform the required procedure immediately, they may provide you with medication to help with the pain you are experiencing. They also may prescribe you antibiotics to prevent any infection while you are waiting for your scheduled appointment.

If you aren’t sure if you require emergency dentistry, reach out to Oxboro Dental. We’ll let you know if the issue is an emergency and, if it is, we’ll get you in immediately to resolve the issue.

Guidelines for Handling Accidents

If you have a dental accident, there are a few things you’ll want to do to handle the issue until you can get to your dentist for emergency care. Below are some common issues and how to handle them until you can get to the dentist for your emergency appointment:

• Swelling. If you’ve had an accident and are experiencing swelling, you’ll want to alleviate the swelling as you make your way to the dentist. To do this, you can use a cold compress or ice pack on the area. This will help with some of the pain as well. If the problem is due to a tooth abscess, you’ll likely need antibiotics to resolve the issue. These will be prescribed by your dentist.
• Tooth Loss. If a tooth falls out or is knocked out, you’ll need to contact an emergency dentist. Touch the tooth as little as possible, and don’t touch the root. If the tooth fell in a dirty area, make sure to rinse the tooth with water. If you are able to, put the tooth back in place. If you can’t, put the tooth in milk and reach out to an emergency dentist to see if the tooth can be reinserted. It’s best to try and do this within an hour of the accident occurring.
• Bleeding. Bleeding often occurs when dental accidents occur. To slow and stop the bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a gauze. If this doesn’t stop the bleeding, you may need to visit an emergency room. For dental and other emergencies, consider putting together a first aid kit.
• Pain. With an injury comes pain. A cold compress or ice pack will help. You can also use over-the-counter pain medication. If the pain is ongoing, your dentist may prescribe pain medication.

Scheduling Your Dental Emergency Procedure

The tips mentioned above are only stopgaps. They aren’t solutions. You will need to set an appointment with an emergency dentist if you have been injured and/or a tooth has fallen out. Don’t wait around—take these injuries seriously.

Contact your dentist immediately after an incident. If they aren’t open, they may have an emergency number you can call. Once you get an appointment booked, make sure you have the information about when the event occurred, what happened, if it is due to an ongoing issue or an accident, any medication you are taking, your pain level, and your dental health history. This is especially so if you have had any procedures that will impact the oral healthcare you will receive.

If you are able to avoid going to the emergency room for a dental issue, it’s for the best. The costs can be high, and the staff likely isn’t trained for emergency dental procedures. With that said, if there are no emergency dental options available, it’s better to get some form of care. If you have pain and/or bleeding, they will be able to address these issues. They will also be able to provide medication like antibiotics to avoid any sort of infection.

Once you’ve injured yourself, a tooth has fallen out, or any other oral health issue has occurred, reach out to your dentist about emergency care. If they are unavailable, ask for a referral. If you address a loose tooth or one that has fallen out quickly enough, you may be able to save it.

For any questions about emergency services, feel free to reach out to Oxboro Dental today.