Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect it. Fortunately, BridgeView Dental Group in Kodiak, AK, offers emergency dentistry services so their patients receive prompt treatment. If you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to know what to do to minimize the amount of damage sustained and to limit the extent of dental work needed.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

What Is a Dental Emergency?

First, you must recognize when something is a dental emergency and when it can wait a day or two. If your tooth is knocked out completely or has considerably loosened (but is still in place), that is considered an emergency and will require prompt treatment. A chipped tooth, however, is not an emergency. A broken or lost crown or filling can be painful, but usually it can wait until the next day for treatment. If you have severe, unexplained pain or have suffered any form of facial trauma, you need emergency dentistry services.

What to Do in an Emergency

If you had a tooth knocked out and have the tooth, pick it up by the crown and gently rinse it. Put the tooth back in its socket if you can and gently bite down. If you can’t, place the tooth in a glass of milk (or in a sealed container if milk is unavailable). Either way, you should call your dentist as soon as possible.

For a tooth that has become loose or misaligned, you may attempt to gently put it back in its place. If you are able, bite down to help keep the tooth in place while you wait to see your dentist. If you experience severe, unexplained pain or sensitivity in a particular tooth, you can try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. If the pain persists or if you begin running a fever, you need to seek immediate care.

If you are unsure whether you need emergency dentistry services from BridgeView Dental Group, you can call their office at (907) 486-3257 and they will advise you on how to proceed. Their practice also offers emergency walk-in services during regular office hours. You can learn more about the services they offer by visiting their website.