Emergency Dentistry – Jefferson, OH

Common Dental Emergencies

The first step you should always take if you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency is to call our dental office. We will provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance and make sure you get the timely treatment you require. Below, we have also compiled some helpful tips to ease your discomfort as you are making your way to our dental office.

Toothaches

Toothaches are often a sign of an infection that has developed within the inner chamber of your tooth. The pain is a result of bacteria attacking the vulnerable pulp of the tooth, which is a collection of soft tissue and nerves. To help with your discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication or place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth in 10-minute increments.

Chipped/ Broken Tooth

If you’re able to find the broken-off portion of your tooth, retrieve it, rinse it off, and bring it to your appointment. To keep the damaged edge of your tooth from irritating your lips or cheeks, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over the area.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Time is of the essence, so quickly retrieve your tooth, being sure to only handle it by the biting surface, and store it in a sealable container filled with milk or salt water to keep it viable. Don’t forget to bring it to your appointment so we can try to re-plant it in its socket.

Lost Filling/ Crown

If you can find your lost restoration, you can rinse it off and try to place it back on your affected tooth using a dab of denture adhesive or toothpaste. Remember that this is only a temporary solution, and in order to avoid an infection, you’ll need to have your crown or filling professionally repaired or replaced.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Even though there’s no way you can completely avoid experiencing a dental emergency, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of experiencing one, including:

• Visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning.
• Maintain a thorough at-home oral hygiene routine.
• Never put dental pain or discomfort on the backburner—visit a dentist immediately.
• Maintain a well-balanced diet.
• Stay hydrated with water.
• Wear a protective mouthguard while playing sports.
• Wear a nightguard if you grind and clench your teeth.

Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

The cost of your emergency appointment will depend on a few factors that we can only determine once we have had a chance to examine your situation, like what type of treatment you require and whether you need dental sedation. Once we have diagnosed the problem at-hand, we will explain it to you and discuss each of your treatment options. Our dental office gladly accepts dental insurance and offers additional financing through CareCredit to make getting the help you need more accessible.

Root Canals

Root canals are notorious for being painful, but that's actually a myth! The pain associated with this procedure is actually caused by the infection itself, which has affected the sensitive pulp of the tooth. Once our patients receive root canals, they nearly always report that they feel much better since their severe toothaches are gone. Plus, once the tooth is restored with a dental crown, many of our patients go on to enjoy using their natural, treated teeth for the rest of their lives.

Tooth Extractions

We never typically recommend extracting a tooth unless we have exhausted all other options where we can preserve it. Once teeth are gone, there is no replacement that can compare to them. However, in some situations, removing a tooth is the best option for maintaining good oral health and preventing issues from spreading. Some situations in which we may suggest this treatment include, a tooth is too damaged to be repaired or crowding is keeping you from being able to successfully undergo orthodontic treatment or to get a prosthetic.