Dental emergencies happen unexpectedly. Whether you have a severe toothache, a broken tooth, or have knocked out a tooth, you may need immediate treatment to relieve your pain or save your tooth.
Any dental problem causing pain that interrupts your ability to perform everyday activities can be considered an emergency. We also consider it a dental emergency if you need prompt action to save your tooth.
Dental Emergencies That Need Immediate Attention
You should consider the following events emergencies and call your dentist's after-hours answering service for help.
Knocked-Out or Dislodged Tooth
Knocked-out or dislodged teeth commonly happen as a result of dental trauma. Dental trauma often happens due to injuries and accidents, such as falls, sports injuries, or motor vehicle collisions.
If you knock out a permanent tooth, do not touch the root. Hold it by the crown. Rinse gently with milk or water. If you can, set the tooth back in its socket. If you can't, put it in a small glass of milk or saliva and bring it to your appointment.
A dentist cannot replace a tooth if your child knocks out a baby tooth. You should bring the child to the dentist as soon as possible to receive a space maintainer and check for soft tissue damage.
Broken Tooth
If you break a tooth, there is an excellent chance we can save it with a root canal.
Severe Toothache
If your toothache is so severe that it prevents you from performing your usual activities, you may have a severe infection. Call our after-hours line to receive prompt assistance.
Oral Injury
Call our after-hours line if you have a minor oral injury, such as a cut on your lip, tongue, or cheek. Call 911 or the emergency room if you can't stop the bleeding.
Non-emergency Situations That Require Prompt Attention
Some dental issues need treatment as soon as possible but can wait for office hours in most cases:
Dull Toothache
If you have a dull toothache, try rinsing with warm salt water or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Avoid aspirin since this can cause too much bleeding.
Lost Filling or Crown
If you lose a filling or crown, you may experience discomfort. You can try securing the crown on your tooth with toothpaste, sugar-free gum, or dental adhesive until you can see the dentist. Otherwise, save the crown to see whether we can replace it on your tooth.
Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth may not be an emergency, but if it is one of your front teeth, it is a cosmetic problem. See us as soon as possible for help.
Call Chagrin Falls Dental
Chagrin Falls Dental offers emergency treatment, including during nights and weekends. Call our office at 440-247-8641 and follow the instructions to make an immediate appointment with one of our on-call dentists.