If a tooth becomes dislodged or falls out, or you are suffering from extreme dental-related pain, these could be signs that you require emergency dentistry.
A dental emergency can happen at any time. If you are suffering from a dental emergency in the Bozeman–Belgrade MT area, call us immediately, and we will assess your unique situation and help ease your tooth pain.
What Makes a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies are life-threatening or inhibiting circumstances that stop your daily routine. If you’re not sure whether you are dealing with a dental emergency, feel free to give our office a call. We would be happy to talk you through the situation and discuss the best approach.
Common examples of urgent emergencies include the following:
- Uncontrollable bleeding from your gums
- Inability to breathe normally or blocked airways
- Excessive gum swelling
- Severely infected gums
- Loose prosthetic equipment (crowns, implants, etc.)
- Missing teeth
- Severely damaged teeth
What to Expect in Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can come with fear of the unknown. To combat this fear, we’ve compiled a list of common dental circumstances and what Dr. McCormick would likely advise. If your:
- Tooth has broken | Save the piece of the tooth if possible. Apply a cold compress to the area to relieve tooth pain and call us immediately, as this can be damage sensitive areas of your teeth. We will assess the situation and make arrangements for the necessary restorative dentistry treatment.
- Tooth has fallen out | If a tooth falls out, do everything in your power to save the tooth. The best thing you can do is to try and reinsert the tooth back into the gumline, without touching the roots. If this doesn’t work, place the tooth in a clean container with milk and call us immediately. We may be able to place the tooth back.
- Mouth is swollen or you have tooth pain | If you are suffering from a severe toothache, it could indicate a serious dental emergency with your root or gums. Call us immediately, and we will assess your unique situation and help ease that pain. We typically suggest painkillers and gargling salt water to ease pain while we get you in.
- Dental work has fallen out | If an implant or crown has broken, call us immediately. Dr. McCormick will restore your damaged dental work and work quickly to correct the problem. In most cases, the previous prosthetic failed due to decay or dental trauma. Our specialized treatment will get you on your feet as soon as possible.
Once the dangerous symptoms have settled, Dr. McCormick might need to replace damaged parts of your teeth with a dental prosthetic such as a dental crown and implant. In a few visits, you should be able to completely move on from the dental circumstance.
How to Ease Pain in Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency happens, Dr. McCormick may not be able to see you right away. In these cases, we recommend following these steps to ease the pain and help you feel at ease. We often provide personal instructions when you first call us about your situation.
- Use painkillers: Painkillers such as Ibuprofen and Advil can help reduce abnormal levels of pain and swelling.
- Gargle salt water: if you have swelling or pain use half a teaspoon of salt with warm water around your mouth to ease any symptoms.
- Apply cold packs: Wrap a cold pack or ice with a towel and apply it on the area to reduce discomfort.
- Take it easy: Be sure not to strain yourself too much in these cases. We will do our best to take care of you promptly.
Importance of Prompt Care
Even if the dental emergency doesn’t seem to cause much pain, it is still appropriate to see Dr. McCormick as soon as possible. Whether it is missing teeth or a loose crown, unaddressed dental emergencies can open a box of other complications, such as the ones listed.
Reduce Dental Pain and Discomfort
Dental emergencies only cause significant chronic dental pain and discomfort. Without professional supervision, many patients often feel more anxious about their teeth and what might happen next. Unaddressed dental issues can also cause discomfort when eating, drinking, and speaking. Invest in your health by visiting a dentist who can fix things quickly.
Eliminate Additional Tooth Damage
Missing or severely damaged teeth have a major impact on your oral health. This impact is due to the strain that is placed on tooth roots of damaged teeth. Tooth roots help keep up the strength of your jawline, which in turn keeps your teeth straight and less prone to infections. Without one of the roots anchoring your smile, the rest of your jaw can have a hard time keeping up.
Fight Off Infection
Dental emergencies are often the result of late-stage dental infections. When these issues aren’t properly treated, oral infections can often become more dangerous and even life-threatening. Bozeman Dentistry specializes in gum disease treatment that is able to thoroughly fight off infection at its source.
Remove Extra Dental Costs
Many patients often feel hesitant to jump on dental complications due to financial strain. However, without giving your teeth prompt attention it will weaken your jaw and the enamel of your teeth. Even if your dental complications don’t require quick attention, it can create a crisis if left untreated. Invest in treatment now to pay less money afterward.
Get Tooth Pain Relief From Bozeman Dentistry
Be prepared for whatever emergency comes your way with Bozeman Dentistry’s emergency dental options. If you have experienced any of the above, or have another serious dental emergency in Bozeman or Belgrade, MT, call us right now.