It’s late, you have a horrible toothache, and you find yourself scouring the internet for “a dentist near me”. If you live around the following areas – Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Champlin, and Osseo – you’re in luck. Because Brooklyn Boulevard Dental is here to assist you in any dental emergency you might have.
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What is Dental Emergencies Warrant Finding a Dentist Near Me?
Any condition that involves immediate intervention from a dental practitioner can be termed as a dental emergency. However, not all conditions require mediation, and it is imperative to understand what one can do in case of an emergency, should there not be a dentist available. Listed below are some common emergencies, and the route of action.
Toothache
Anyone who has ever experienced a toothache knows how awful it can be. And if it was a bad one, it’s probably one of the worst pains you’ve ever experienced. These aches occur due to either erupting or impacted wisdom teeth, root canal infections, or injuries. A severe toothache is usually a sign of a chronic infection that may be accompanied by facial swelling, pus drainage, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
Taking an analgesic or a painkiller usually helps the pain subside until you can visit your dentist. Additionally, rinsing your mouth with a glass of lukewarm water mixed with a tablespoon of salt also helps relieve the pain temporarily.
If you have a toothache that doesn’t go away on taking over-the-counter medication (usually in the cases of abscesses), they constitute a dental emergency. So that means it’s time you called your friendly neighbourhood dentist.
Loss of Tooth
A tooth falling out is the most common dental emergency in cases of any accidents, or trauma caused to the mouth, or even an infection! Younger kids tend to be more affected by tooth loss than adults. In cases of tooth loss, it is important to pick up the tooth by the crown and try to place it back into the tooth socket. Make sure you rinse it gently with water before placing it into your mouth.
The key things to remember are to never pick up the tooth by the root (since it can interfere with the cells required to help the tooth reattach) and to never use a disinfectant or scrub the tooth while washing it. Once you’ve placed it into position, hold it with a clean tissue or gauze.
In case you are unable to reposition the tooth, keep it in a glass of milk or clean water, and get in touch with your dentist ASAP. Remember – the time is of the essence in such situations.
Tooth Avulsion
Sometimes, injuries to the face can lead to teeth loosening within their socket, without falling out. Avulsions or displacements can also occur if an erupting wisdom tooth applies too much pressure on the adjacent tooth. These can also be extremely painful conditions.
Should this happen, reposition the tooth by holding the crown (and not the root), place a tissue/gauze on top, and gently bite down. Contact your dentist immediately because any sort of delay should be avoided in these cases since drying out of the tooth can lead to cell death, rendering the tooth non-vital. If a slight displacement occurs due to a wisdom tooth, it might not necessarily be an emergency. Regardless, try to schedule an appointment with your dentist at the earliest.
Injuries to the Face
If any injury takes place to the face or mouth region, it can cause damage to the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity. The result is broken, shattered, or even chipped teeth. Additionally, cuts and bruises might also be visible. This leads to incredible pain, discomfort, and possibly uncontrolled bleeding.
Chips or cracks in the teeth might not feel like an emergency, but it is imperative to visit your dentist to protect the integrity of said teeth. In cases of bleeding, apply pressure to the area with paper towels or gauzes and call your dentist, or visit an emergency room immediately. If you feel extreme pain, take an over-the-counter pain killer to alleviate some soreness till you get professional help.
If you have teeth that have been knocked out, follow the protocol mentioned above.
Damaged Dental Work
Sometimes, you’ll find yourself dealing with issues like a dislodged filling, a dislodged dental crown, a broken denture, or maybe even broken braces. While these problems do not entail immediate intervention, they might be uncomfortable. The orthodontic wire might poke you inside the mouth or you might feel sensitivity should a crown or filling dislodge.
Keep the damaged dental appliance safe, and visit your dentist as soon as you can.
Aside from the issues we’ve just discussed, you might encounter various other non-emergency situations like a cavity, or gum disease. Hurried treatment might not be necessary for these cases, however, it is advised that you book an appointment with your dentist at the earliest convenience to avoid future complications and worsening of issues.
Finding an Emergency Dentist Near Me
Searching for a dentist after office hours can be extremely tedious, especially when one is facing an emergency. Getting in touch with a reliable dental office offering emergency visitations is much better than visiting the emergency room at a hospital. Other than avoiding extremely crowded ERs, visiting a dentist is better since they’re better equipped to handle a dental emergency. Furthermore, it saves time – which is important in the case of emergencies.
Should you encounter an urgency during office hours, contact your dental office, and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Most dentists take the time to see patients with an emergency. At Brooklyn Boulevard Dental, our dentists have exclusive numbers you can call if you need an emergency consult.
- Emergency Dr Kotonias – (612) 751-3078
- Emergency Dr Spanish – (952) 239-2569
- Emergency Dr Tu – (612) 702-7401
Give us a ring, and we’ll be more than glad to help you get out of your dental fix.
