Emergency Dentistry

What is emergency dentistry?

Emergency dentistry provides same-day treatment for potentially serious injuries and illnesses that affect the teeth, gums, tongue, and jaw.

If you bite your tongue and it won’t stop bleeding or get an object, like a toothpick, lodged between your teeth, contact the Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry team. The team can identify the source of your discomfort and develop a custom care plan that provides lasting relief.

What types of issues does emergency dentistry treat?

At Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry, the team uses emergency dentistry to treat various issues, including:

• Fractured, cracked, and chipped teeth
• Damaged dental restorations, like crowns, fillings, and dentures
• Acute tooth pain and tooth infections
• Oral abscesses
• Cuts and lacerations that won’t stop bleeding
• Foreign objects lodged between the teeth
• Loose teeth
• Knocked-out teeth

You might also benefit from emergency dentistry if you lose or damage a tooth while playing sports or working out.

If I have a dental emergency, what can I do?

The steps you should take in a dental emergency depend on the issue at hand. 

Knocked-out tooth

If one of your permanent teeth gets knocked out, rinse off any dirt or debris with tap water and try to put it back into the socket. If your tooth wobbles around, tuck it inside your cheek or put it inside a glass of milk, and call the team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry.

Damaged dental restoration

If you chip or crack a dental restoration, like a bridge or a crown, pick up the pieces and put them in a plastic sandwich bag or a piece of tin foil. Then, call the team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry. The providers always make time for same-day emergency visits and can repair your restoration during a quick in-office appointment.

Severe toothache

If you develop a severe toothache and it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication, try rinsing your mouth out with warm saltwater. If your symptoms persist or worsen, contact Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry.

After an oral exam and a series of 3D X-rays, they can determine the underlying cause and help you feel better.

Is there any way to prevent dental emergencies?

There’s no way to avoid dental emergencies entirely, but you can significantly reduce your risk by practicing good oral hygiene. The team at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the office every six months for an oral exam and professional dental cleaning.

The team also recommends avoiding bad habits, like biting your fingernails, opening plastic packaging with your teeth, and chewing on hard objects like ice cubes or popcorn kernels.

If you or a loved one needs emergency dentistry, make an appointment at Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry by calling the office or booking online today.