Do You Need An Emergency Dentist?

Woman feeling toothache, touching cheek with hand at dental clinic. Senior dentist trying to help

Find the information and protocol necessary to classify your dental issue as a dental emergency, find emergency dental help near you, and determine whether you should see an emergency dentist or go to your local hospital emergency room.

Do you need an Emergency Dentist?

Before you make the call, you should know what is actually classified as a dental emergency. Emergency Dentists generally work on any dental problem that requires immediate attention to stop bleeding, help with severe and intolerable pain, save a tooth that may otherwise be lost, and address serious infections that can potentially be life-threatening. 

If you fall into that category, and need an emergency dentist near you we know it’s because you’re in desperate need of relief for your dental pain, discomfort, and distress. Emergency dentists make time to attend to patients in immediate need as quickly as possible. The sooner you see an emergency dentist, the sooner you’ll feel better. We’re always prepared to assist patients who are searching for an emergency dentist in their local area whether its Connecticut or Rhode Island.

Common dental emergencies and how to react to them:

What to do if your tooth is knocked out

When an adult tooth is knocked out, it’s best to try putting it back in place and go to your dentist immediately or an emergency dentist that is available. Never try to re-insert a baby tooth yourself—it’s best to take your child to their dentist immediately. If you are having trouble putting your adult tooth back into position after it has been knocked out, submerge it in milk and contact your local dental practice or an emergency dentist after hours.

What to do if you lose a dental filling

If you’ve lost your dental filling, contact your dentist to make an appointment. This is not as urgent as a tooth that’s been knocked out, so you may not be able to be seen and treated immediately. If you cannot get treatment for your lost filling immediately, you should keep the area missing the filling extra clean to prevent bacteria from damaging the exposed tissue. 

What to do if your dental crown falls out

  • Step 1: Contact your dentist immediately.
  • Step 2: Rinse off your crown and clean your mouth. 
  • Step 3: Protect your exposed tooth until it’s treated.
  • Step 4: Get your dental crown reattached or replaced.

What to do if you chip your tooth

If your tooth has been broken, chipped, or fractured, see your dentist immediately or at their first available time. Your tooth is left vulnerable and could be damaged further or become infected—in some cases causing you to end up losing your tooth.

DIY Home + Travel Dental Emergency Kit Checklist

If your emergency happens at home, while you’re on a trip, or in your own vehicle, you can be prepared with an emergency kit made up of these items. Use this checklist to make sure you’re always prepared.

  • Latex gloves
  • Dental Floss
  • Gauze
  • Tweezers
  • Cotton Swabs
  • Iodized Salt – ½ teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water will help to ease or ward off infection
  • Plastic Sandwich Baggies
  • Topical Pain Medication (like Orajel or DenTek)
  • Oral Pain Medications
  • Dental Crown Repair Kit

Now that your prepared to handle an emergency dental visit should one arise, and you know what criteria constitute a dental emergency there’s one thing left to do—take this information and calmly deal with any dental emergency knowing we’re here to help you!