Your smile is precious. From laugh lines around your eyes to pearly whites, it’s part of what makes you, you. So, every second matters when a dental disaster strikes, whether from injury, infection, or intense pain. What exactly constitutes a dental emergency? How do you know if it’s serious enough to visit the emergency dentist immediately? Here in Spring Hill, TN, Dr. Richard Robinette and his team at Dentistry by Design stand ready to answer the call for dental emergencies big and small. We want to ensure your smile comes first — whenever you need it.
With our state-of-the-art equipment and years of experience, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Contact our emergency dentist in Spring Hill today at (931) 391-3089 for emergency dental services.
We offer a variety of emergency dentistry treatments at Dentistry By Design including root canals, repair of a loose or lost filling, and treatment of painful infections.
A dental emergency refers to any oral health issue that demands immediate attention from a professional. This includes severe toothaches, injuries that affect the mouth and jaws, or serious infections. Without fast diagnosis and treatment, permanent damage can occur, and symptoms may worsen. Dental emergencies should receive emergency dental care within 24 hours.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, or you’re unsure, contact our Spring Hill emergency dentist. If you’re worried about the costs of emergency dental services, our team will explain your options and go over your dental insurance.Â
A toothache is a typical dental emergency caused by various factors, such as tooth decay, a dental abscess, or an impacted wisdom tooth. It’s essential to seek dental care promptly to identify and treat the underlying cause of the toothache.
Rapid sensitivity to hot and cold could mean a crack extends through the dentin and reaches the pulp. This requires a root canal to save the tooth.
Having a tooth knocked out, also known as an avulsed tooth, requires immediate dental action to increase the chances of saving the tooth. If a tooth comes loose, gently rinse it with water without removing any attached tissues. Try to place the tooth back into the socket or store it in milk or saliva while seeking emergency dental care.
A broken or fractured tooth can occur due to various reasons, such as a traumatic injury or tooth decay. Depending on the severity, a cracked tooth may cause pain, sensitivity, or sharp edges that can damage soft tissues in the mouth.
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms due to a bacterial infection in the tooth or gums. It often presents with severe pain, swelling, redness, and a pimple-like bump on the gums. An abscessed tooth requires immediate attention as the infection can spread if left untreated. The dentist will evaluate the abscess and may perform a root canal treatment or extraction to eliminate the infection.
A lost filling or crown can expose the underlying tooth structure, causing sensitivity, discomfort, or vulnerability to further damage. It’s important to seek dental care as soon as possible to restore the filling or crown and protect the affected tooth from potential complications.
Accidents or injuries can lead to dental trauma, such as a fractured tooth, a dislodged tooth, or soft tissue injuries in the mouth. Dental trauma requires immediate attention to assess the extent of the damage and provide appropriate treatment. In some cases, quick action can help save a dislodged tooth.
Gum infections, such as advanced periodontitis or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), can cause severe pain, swelling, bleeding gums, and bad breath. Immediate dental care is necessary to manage the infection, alleviate pain, and prevent further damage to the gums and underlying bone structure.
Broken wires, loose brackets, or painful irritation from braces can be considered orthodontic emergencies. Contacting your orthodontist for guidance and arranging an appointment is crucial to address the issue and prevent any disruptions to treatment.
In some cases, it can be difficult to tell if mouth pain requires emergency medical care instead of emergency dental care. As your Spring Hill, TN, emergency dentists, we want you to look for these red flags of a medical emergency:
When in doubt, call our Spring Hill dental office or your physician. Describe the symptoms in detail so we can determine whether it constitutes a dental or medical emergency. Time matters when it comes to minimizing complications, so don’t hesitate to ask for emergency help, even if you end up at the wrong place at first.
During a dental emergency, it’s crucial to take the proper steps to manage the situation effectively:
Making you comfortable and helping you heal are always our top priorities.
First, we gather crucial information about your emergency dental symptoms, health history, and dental records if we have them. Next, we determine whether we need to see you right away or if symptoms allow for a next-day appointment.Â
Once you arrive for emergency dental care, we thoroughly examine the area of concern, order X-rays if necessary, and determine a diagnosis and treatment plan. Our state-of-the-art dental office offers digital X-rays for faster results. We also keep emergency dental supplies on hand so we can start easing your discomfort right away.
Common emergency dental treatments include:
We craft custom at-home care instructions suited to your unique emergency dental situation. However, typical recommendations include:
You should seek emergency dental care if you experience severe tooth pain, facial swelling, bleeding from the mouth, a loose or knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, or signs of infection, such as an abscess or a pimple-like bump on the gums.
While dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, there are preventive measures you can take to reduce the risk. Maintaining good oral hygiene and addressing dental issues promptly can minimize the likelihood of dental emergencies.
Like hospital emergency room visits, emergency dental care costs more than routine preventive visits due to the urgency and complexity. But exact prices depend on the treatment needed.
We never take lightly anything that stands in the way of your brightest smile and dental health. From cracks and toothaches to infected gums, we’re ready around the clock to diagnose issues accurately and implement the perfect treatment plan.
When dental emergencies strike, every minute matters. Call our Spring Hill emergency dentist at (931) 391-3089 right away or schedule an emergency visit through our website. We’re passionate about prompt, thoughtful emergency dental care so you can get back to smiling brightly.
I understand the information disclosed in this form may be subject to re-disclosure and may no longer be protected by HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act.
