At Van Dyke General & Implant Dentistry, we strive to provide excellent emergency dental care in Gainesville, FL to everyone in North Central Florida at both of our office locations. If you have a dental emergency, schedule an appointment with our dentists today.
The words “dental emergency” are a broad term to describe an injury to the mouth. The severity of the emergency may be open to interpretation by the person who is in pain. We all respond to pain differently, and dental injuries often cause excruciating pain. In any dental emergency situation, it is important to remain calm and immediately contact your emergency dentist to schedule an appointment. Please remember that although you may be in pain, the situation at hand may not necessitate an immediate appointment. We try to see all of our patients who are experiencing pain and discomfort, not only for their relief but to ensure that there are no underlying issues or complications that could be more severe.
Our dentists in Gainesville, FL, consider a dental emergency to be a(n):
If you are experiencing pain, swelling or fever for any other reason, please call us right away. You may have an underlying condition that can be causing you discomfort, and these types of dental emergencies can become severe if left untreated.
In most cases of a dental emergency, you can take over-the-counter medication to relieve the pain. Do not place an aspirin on the tooth or gums, as this can damage the gum tissue. Instead, take the appropriate amount of ibuprofen or acetaminophen as directed.
If a tooth has chipped or broken, a crown or filling comes loose or a band falls off of a tooth, collect the pieces and bring them to your appointment.
If a tooth has been knocked out, do not handle it by the root. Gently cleanse the tooth and the area in your gum line, and try to reinsert the tooth. If it will not go back in, place the tooth in a small container with milk to keep it moist and bring it to your appointment.
An abscessed tooth is an infection and cannot be treated at home. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the rest of your body and be life-threatening.
Apply a cold compress to the area if swelling is present. Rinse the affected area with antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water to clean the tooth and gums.
In order to prepare for a dental emergency, we recommend collecting items for a dental kit. Include our emergency phone number, a handkerchief, gauze, antiseptic mouthwash, a small container with a lid, pain medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), wax paraffin, dental floss, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. You can also avoid most dental emergencies by staying up-to-date with basic dental care.
