What Should I Do in a Dental Emergency?
When a dental emergency strikes, staying calm and acting quickly can save your tooth and reduce complications. Your first step should be calling our office at (559) 784-6523 so Dr. Richard Hardt, Dr. Irene Cruz, or Dr. Jackson Lewis can guide you through immediate steps and schedule your emergency visit.
If a tooth has been knocked out, handle it only by the crown and try to place it gently back into the socket. If that isn’t possible, keep the tooth moist by placing it in a small container of milk. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area, and apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze to control any bleeding. For severe toothache pain, a cold compress on the outside of your cheek can help reduce swelling until you reach our office.
Why Immediate Treatment Matters
Delaying treatment for a dental emergency can lead to serious consequences. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved if reimplanted within 30 minutes to an hour. Infections from untreated abscesses can spread to other parts of your body, and fractured teeth may sustain further damage that requires more extensive restoration. Seeking prompt care helps preserve your natural teeth and often means simpler, less costly treatment.
Common Treatments for Dental Emergencies
When a tooth is severely damaged, deeply infected, or fractured beyond repair, tooth extraction may be the best option to protect your oral health and relieve pain. Dr. Hardt performs extractions with care, using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. We also offer sedation options for patients who experience dental anxiety, ensuring a calm and stress-free experience.
Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth require prompt restoration to prevent further damage and sensitivity. Depending on the extent of the fracture, Dr. Hardt may recommend a dental filling for minor chips or a dental crown to fully cover and strengthen the damaged tooth. Using CEREC technology, we can often create and place custom crowns in a single visit, so you leave our office with a fully restored smile.
Intense, throbbing tooth pain often signals an infection deep within the tooth’s pulp. Root canal therapy removes the infected tissue, eliminates bacteria, and seals the tooth to prevent future problems. Despite its reputation, modern root canal treatment is comfortable and effective, often providing immediate relief from the severe pain caused by dental abscesses.
How Can I Prevent Dental Emergencies?
- Practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing every day.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports activities to protect your teeth from injury.
- Avoid chewing hard objects such as ice or hard candies.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings to address any issues before they become emergencies.
