Emergency Care
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Emergency Dentistry in Bayport, MN
Dental emergencies can happen at any time, whether you are prepared or not. While there are some ways to prevent dental emergencies and some things you can do to deal with a dental emergency at home, ultimately, most dental emergencies require you to see an emergency dentist. Getting immediate care will increase the chances of saving your teeth, reduce the risk of infection, and help you avoid unnecessary pain.
What is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry aims to address dental issues that occur without any notice or warning and require immediate action. These are any dental problems that require immediate care to address severe pain, discomfort, or trauma to the mouth that may cause bleeding and lacerations to the gums and dislodge or fracture teeth. This also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening. However, some dental issues, like lost fillings, chipped veneers, or broken dental appliances, while extremely inconvenient — don’t constitute an emergency, and you can wait a few days to see the dentist.
Here’s what you can expect when you come in for an emergency dental visit:
- Comprehensive Exam: To determine the cause of your dental emergency and create a treatment plan, Dr. Jensen will perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth, teeth, and gums.
- Radiography: We’ll also take dental X-rays to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums. These X-rays can help us identify problems like cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.
- Provide Treatment If Possible: How to treat dental emergencies depends on the situation and the type of damage. If you have a severe toothache, or your tooth has been broken, chipped, or cracked, Dr. Jensen may need to treat an infection and repair the damaged tooth, which could involve root canals, extractions, fillings, or crowns.
- Referral to Specialists for Additional Care if Necessary: Depending on the complexity of the problem, we may refer you to a specialist like an orthodontist, periodontist, or even an oral surgeon.
How Can I Manage the Pain?
There are several ways of managing dental pain as you wait to see the dentist:
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face near the affected area to numb the area and reduce swelling.
- OTC pain medication, if needed – if you’re experiencing tooth pain, an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen could help reduce inflammation and pain.
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to soothe the area and remove any debris causing the pain.
- To save a knocked-out tooth, clean it immediately and be careful not to touch the roots. Rinse off the tooth root with water and try to put your tooth back in its socket, or place it in a container of milk and bring it to the dentist so that we can try to reattach it.
How Can You Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Here are a few tips to help you prevent dental emergencies:
- Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice daily and flossing at least once a day
- Maintain regular dental visits every six months for cleaning and exam
- Wear a mouthguard during sports
- Wear a night guard to protect from teeth grinding
Schedule Your Emergency Dental Appointment Today!
At Jensen Family Dental, our team of dental professionals understands that a dental emergency can be painful, anxiety-inducing, and inconvenient; that’s why we’re committed to providing timely, compassionate care. Whether you’ve had a tooth knocked out or are dealing with a sudden, severe toothache, you can count on us to get you the care you need and relieve your pain. We can fit you in with a same-day, after-hours, and even a walk-in appointment! If you suspect you need emergency dental care in Bayport, MN, contact us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment!