Emergency Dental Services for the Cincinnati Area

“Is This a Dental Emergency?”

What to Do if You’ve Had a Dental Emergency in Cincinnati

Do you have a persistent toothache? Swollen gums around a tooth? Bleeding? You may have a dental emergency. The word “emergency” might sound alarming, but because the teeth and jaw are complex parts of the body we rely on for essential daily functions, a sudden or severe malfunction requires immediate attention.

There are definitely more dental emergencies than we’ll discuss below. That said, if a tooth that is bleeding, you experience persistent pain, there’s swelling, or you’ve had trauma to the face or jaw, consider it a dental emergency. Similarly, loose, broken, or missing teeth should be addressed immediately.

You can’t predict or plan for a dental emergency, and we understand. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we treat a wide range of dental emergencies. That’s why we reserve slots in our appointment book for urgent oral health needs. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies we see at our Cincinnati family dental practice:

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency that requires immediate attention. Once a tooth is removed from its socket, your best chances of saving it are treating it within 30-60 minutes. The longer you wait to receive treatment, the greater the risk to your jaw’s health. Follow these steps to maximize the chances of reinserting and preserving the tooth:

• Call our office immediately.
• Handle the tooth by the top.
• Avoid touching the roots.
• Rinse the tooth very gently.
• Don’t scrub the tooth or attempt to remove any tissue attached to it.
• Stick it in a sealed bag with milk and bring it with you to your emergency appointment.

Cracked or Fractured Tooth

Cracked or fractured teeth are a serious dental issue that requires emergency treatment. A crack in your tooth can expose the dentin, or worse, the pulp, which is vulnerable and can pose a risk to your health and is likely painful. Left untreated, cracked or fractured teeth can lead to a more serious dental emergency, such as a jaw infection or tooth abscess. Call us immediately if you have this dental condition.

In the meantime, if you need to manage pain and maintain oral hygiene while waiting for your emergency dental appointment, here are a few at-home steps you can take:

• Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs reduce inflammation and discomfort.
• Placing garlic, vanilla extract, or clove oil on the tooth helps relieve pain and protects against bacteria.
• Swishing with warm saltwater can reduce pain and remove debris from the area.
• Swishing with hydrogen peroxide can sterilize the crack.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek where the cracked tooth is, but only for 10 minutes at a time.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

A chipped tooth should be examined by a dentist as soon as possible. A chipped tooth can often be repaired with dental bonding, but it’s still a semi-urgent matter. However, a broken tooth can be even more serious, especially if the root, nerve, or pulp is exposed.

If the tooth is painful, it’s a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment. You can use the same at-home methods for managing your toothache that we discussed above. Contact us right away, and we’ll get you in to see one of our dentists as soon as possible.

A Tooth That’s Cracked, Broken, or Fallen Out

If your filling falls out and there’s no pain, it’s still a dental emergency. In fact, any cracked or broken filling warrants a visit to an emergency dentist. Your fillings are there for a reason: to protect the cavity that once contained tooth decay or infection. If your filling is compromised, that cavity is no longer protected, leaving it susceptible to bacteria and further decay.

If the filling is deep, a crack or break will likely be painful. But even if your filling is damaged or missing and there isn’t any pain, get ahold of us immediately. It’s an easy fix; you’ll be in and out of our office in no time.

A Tooth That Suddenly Comes Loose

A tooth that suddenly becomes misaligned, or a non-baby tooth that gets loose, requires immediate treatment. This is not normal and may indicate an underlying issue that could cause serious health problems for your other teeth, gums, and jaw. Call our office for a dental emergency appointment. Don’t forcibly move the tooth back into place, as you may do more harm than good.

Teeth Trauma: Mouth Injuries

An injury inside the mouth, regardless of the cause, should be considered an emergency, and you should go to a hospital emergency room. Depending on the cause and type of injury, it is best to contact the hospital emergency room for advice on what to do before arriving.

It’s sometimes better to go to your local ER for an injury to your face and mouth because there might be damage you can’t feel or see. Let the doctors clear you first, then schedule an emergency dental appointment once you know the best course of action.

Facial Pain and/or Swelling with No Obvious Cause

Unexplained facial pain and swelling may be another dental emergency. This is especially true if you’ve just had a procedure like a tooth extraction, an implant crown installation, or a root canal. These symptoms can be a red flag for an infection or other complication that needs to be addressed immediately.

Our staff can diagnose the cause of your pain and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. In the meantime, if you need to take medication for facial pain, avoid aspirin or ibuprofen, as these medications are anticoagulants that can cause excessive bleeding.

Have a Dental Emergency? Contact Beckham Square Family Dental Today!

We provide emergency dental services to patients throughout the Cincinnati area, and you don’t need to be a regular patient to see us. Remember these three rules of thumb for determining whether your dental care needs are urgent:

1. Is the inner tooth or the nerve exposed?
2. Does it hurt?
3. Are you swollen or bleeding at the site?

There are certain symptoms that constitute a medical emergency and require you to visit the ER first: nausea, fever, and/or vomiting. If you don’t have any of these, an emergency dentist can help you address the problem. If you believe you have any dental problem causing you immediate pain, don’t hesitate to contact our office by calling 513.489.7800 or using our contact form.