Emergency Dentist in Midwest City

You need a dental team you can trust when you're experiencing a dental emergency. In Midwest City, Oklahoma, you can rely on the dental experts at Dental Implants and Endodontics of Oklahoma to handle your emergency with compassion, care, and skill. We know that dental emergencies can be frightening and painful and we're ready to help. Don't wait to give us a call during your dental emergency.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any sudden pain or change to your teeth. As a rule, anything that is impacting your teeth and that cannot wait until a regular dental appointment is a dental emergency. Sometimes, this is caused by a direct hit to your teeth, such as when you break a tooth while eating or when an accident causes something to strike your face. In other cases, you might be unsure of the cause. You might simply experience unexplained tooth pain that needs to be treated by a dentist.

Types of Dental Emergencies

There are several types of dental emergencies. In addition to lost or broken teeth, dental emergencies include:

• Severe tooth pain

• Excessive gum bleeding

• Swollen gums

• A swollen jaw

• Food or another object stuck between your teeth that you are unable to remove with floss

• Pain and a bump on your gums under a tooth (This is likely an infection called a dental abscess. An abscess is a serious condition that requires quick treatment. Without treatment, the infection can spread and make you ill.)

Things You Can Do Until You See A Dentist

Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)

If a tooth has been knocked clean out of the mouth, it is essential to see a dentist immediately.  When a tooth exits the mouth, tissues, nerves, and blood vessels become damaged.  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 our office.
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 our office, quickly and safely.

We 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 might be necessary.

Lost filling or crown

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 as soon as possible.  Keep the crown in a cool, safe place because there is a possibility that we 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 we are not immediately accessible, here are the steps to take:

1. Apply clove oil to the tooth to alleviate pain.
2. Clean the crown, and affix it onto the tooth with dental cement.  This can be purchased at a local pharmacy.
3. If the crown is lost, smear the top of the tooth with dental cement to alleviate discomfort.
4. DO NOT use any kind of glue to affix the crown.

We 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.

Cracked or broken teeth

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 schedule an appointment 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 our office.
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 you cannot see us immediately.
6. Take a topical pain reliever.

The nature of the break or fracture will limit what we are able to do.  If a fracture or crack extends into the root, root canal therapy is often the most effective way to retain the tooth. In the case of a complete break, your dentist will usually affix the fragment back onto the tooth as a temporary measure.

Dislodged/loose teeth

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 still attached to the blood vessels and nerves, there is a good chance root canal therapy will not be necessary.

It is important to call our office immediately to make an appointment.  In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter medications to relieve pain.  Your dentist will reposition the tooth and add splints to stabilize it.  If the tooth fails to heal, root canal therapy might be required.

If you have questions or concerns about dental emergencies, please contact our office.

Dental Emergency Cost

The cost of treatment during a dental emergency depends on the emergency, the care you need, and on your insurance. For instance, a simple crown reattachment will be less expensive than needing to extract multiple teeth and treat an infection. At Dental Implants and Endodontics of Oklahoma, we accept multiple insurance plans. We also accept payments by cash, check, and major credits. Additionally, we offer financing through CareCredit.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Unfortunately, you can't always prevent an emergency. Some dental emergencies are caused by accidents that are out of your control. However, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your teeth are strong, healthy, and protected. This can prevent or reduce the impact of many dental injuries. 

You can follow these tips to reduce your risk of a dental emergency:

• Use mouthguards while playing sports or doing other high-impact activities

• Wear a properly fitted helmet during sports, biking, and other activities

• Wear a night mouthguard if you grind your teeth during the night

• Wear your seatbelt correctly every time you're in a car

• Quit smoking or use of other enamel-damaging tobacco products

• Avoid biting directly into hard foods

• Avoid opening things with your mouth

• Brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly 

FAQ

• What do you do if you have a tooth emergency?

Your first step when you have a dental emergency is to seek professional treatment by giving Dental Implants and Endodontics of Oklahoma a call. Once you've made an appointment, your next steps depend on the type of dental emergency you're experiencing. We'll let you know what to do for your specific emergency when you call us.

• Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?

A cracked tooth isn't always a dental emergency. Sometimes, a cracked tooth is painless. The crack might only be in an upper corner of the tooth and might not impact chewing or other jaw function. However, a cracked tooth is an emergency if you have a crack and are having pain while you eat, sensitivity to hot or cold foods, or general tooth pain.

• How can I relieve dental pain while waiting for an emergency dental appointment?

You can relieve pain while waiting for your appointment in a few ways. A cold compress held against the side of your jaw can reduce swelling and help with the pain. Gargling with warm salt water is another fast way to get some relief. You can also head to your local grocery or drugstore. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can bring down swelling, and oral pain relief gels can help you control dental pain. 

• What are my treatment options in a dental emergency?

The treatment for your dental emergency will depend on the type and severity of the emergency. Options will include:

• Extractions

• Rettachment

• Dental bonding

• Root canal therapy

• Fillings

• Crown placement