Dental Emergencies in Hampton Roads

When a dental emergency happens, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. Eastern Virginia OMS provides specialized care when urgent dental conditions require the expertise of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Dental Emergencies in Hampton Roads

Here When You Need Specialized Care

Dental emergencies are quite frightening and often painful. Prompt treatment is almost always required to alleviate pain and to ensure the teeth have the best possible chance of survival.

Sometimes teeth become fractured by trauma, grinding or biting on hard objects. In other cases, fillings, crowns and other restorative devices can be damaged or fall out of the mouth completely. If there is severe pain, it is essential to make an appointment with the dentist as quickly as possible. The pain caused by dental emergencies almost always gets worse without treatment, and dental issues can seriously jeopardize physical health.

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Types of Dental Emergencies And How To Deal With Them

If a tooth, including the root, has been knocked off the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately. When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves and blood vessels become damaged and may die if not promptly replaced. If the tooth can be placed back into its socket within an hour, there is a chance the tissues will grow to support the tooth once again.

Here are some steps to take:

1. Call the dentist.
2. Pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it under warm water. DO NOT touch the root.
3. If possible, place it back into its socket – if not tuck it into the cheek pouch.
4. If the tooth cannot be placed in the mouth, put the tooth into a cup of milk, saliva, or water as a last resort. It is important to keep the tooth from drying out.
5. Get to the dentist, quickly and safely.

The dentist will try to replace the tooth in its natural socket. In some cases, the tooth will reattach, but if the inner mechanisms of the teeth are seriously damaged, root canal therapy may be necessary or the tooth may have to be removed.

Usually, a crown or filling comes loose while eating. Once it is out of the mouth, the affected tooth may be incredibly sensitive to temperature changes and pressure. Crowns generally become loose because the tooth beneath is decaying. The decay causes shape changes in the teeth – meaning that the crown no longer fits.

If a crown has dropped out of the mouth, make a dental appointment with your General Dentist as soon as possible. Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that the dentist can reinsert it. If the crown is out of the mouth for a long period of time, the teeth may shift or sustain further damage.

When the dentist is not immediately accessible, here are the steps to take:

1. Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain if present.
2. Clean the crown and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement. This can be purchased at the local pharmacy.
3. DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.

The general dentist will check the crown to see if it still fits. If it does, it will be reattached to the tooth. Where decay is noted, this will be treated and a new crown will be made.

The teeth are strong, but they are still prone to fractures, cracks and breaks. Sometimes fractures are fairly painless, but if the crack extends down into the root, it is likely that the pain will be extreme. Fractures, cracks and breaks can take several different forms, but are generally caused by trauma, grinding and biting. If a tooth has been fractured or cracked, there is no alternative but to see your general dentist as quickly as possible.

Where a segment of tooth has been broken off, here are some steps that can be taken at home:

1. Call your general dentist.
2. Rinse the tooth fragment and the mouth with lukewarm water.
3. Apply gauze to the area for ten minutes if there is bleeding.
4. Place a cold, damp dishtowel on the cheek to minimize swelling and pain.
5. Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if there is no way to see the general dentist immediately.
6. Use a topical pain reliever if needed.

The nature of the break or fracture may limit what the general dentist is able to do. If a fracture or crack extends into the root, it is likely the tooth will require extraction which is when the general dentist would refer you to our office for extraction of the tooth.

When a tooth has been dislodged or loosened from its socket by trauma or decay, it might be possible to save it. If the tooth remains in the mouth and attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.

It is important to call your general dentist for an appointment as soon as possible. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain. The dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize the loose teeth. If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy or removal of the tooth may be required.

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Our team is here to answer your questions, help you understand the next steps, and find an appointment time that works for you. Eastern Virginia OMS provides personalized care for dental emergencies in Hampton Roads.

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