Emergency Dentistry in Bountiful, UT
In the case of a dental emergency, it’s best to stay calm and call our office immediately. We’ll provide you with the personalized care you need. However, we understand that some dental emergencies happen after hours. Here are some common questions we get on how to handle certain dental emergencies.
What should I do with a broken tooth?
As soon as you dislodge a tooth, try to recover it. There’s a good chance we can reattach it to your gums as long as it is cared for appropriately. Pick the tooth up by the crown and avoid touching the root. Gently place the tooth back into the socket.
If you cannot get the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a cup of saliva. Keeping the tooth moist until you can see our dentist is the best way to increase your chances of saving the tooth.
What should I do if I have a damaged tooth?
If you have a damaged tooth, the first step is to stay calm and avoid using that tooth until you can see a dentist. Tooth damage can happen if you bite something hard, have an accident, or have decay that weakens the tooth. Sometimes the damage is minor, like a small chip, while other times it can be more serious, such as a deep crack or break.
In many cases, it can be hard to know if the damage is a true dental emergency. A small chip may not hurt right away, but deeper cracks or breaks can expose the inside of the tooth. The best thing to do is contact our office right away. We can help you assess how serious the damage is and let you know if you need same-day care.
While you wait to be seen, try to avoid chewing on the damaged tooth and rinse your mouth gently with warm water to keep the area clean. If you’re in pain, over-the-counter pain medicine may help until your appointment.
What is the best cure for a toothache?
The best way to treat a toothache is to find out what’s causing your pain. Dr. Larsen can check your tooth to make sure the pain doesn’t come back. Even if your tooth pain goes away before your appointment, you should still tell our dentist. In the meantime, you can take over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen at home to help with the pain. You can also place a cool compress against your cheeks to decrease any facial swelling caused by the toothache.
My mouth is bleeding. What should I do?
Whether you’ve had a recent dental procedure or you’ve noticed blood in the sink while brushing your teeth, report this to our dentist as soon as possible. He can provide you with further instruction.
It’s normal to experience some bleeding after treatments like tooth extractions. Rinsing with a homemade saltwater solution can help reduce your risk of infection. But if bleeding continues or becomes excessive, you need professional care.
My dental crown fell out. What should I do?
Leaving a tooth exposed can cause an infection from bacteria entering the tooth or the tooth can break since it has become weakened. If your crown is coming loose, is damaged, or has fallen out, please get in touch with our office.
Don’t try to glue it back yourself, as this can cause more harm. Instead, keep the crown in a clean container and bring it with you to your appointment. Sometimes we can recement a crown if it’s still in good shape, but other times it may need to be replaced.
What do I do with a broken bridge or denture?
Try to pick up all of the pieces of your restoration and bring them with you to your appointment. Dr. Larsen will decide if it’s better to repair your restoration or to craft you a completely new one. Don’t try to wear or mend the damaged restoration yourself, because you can damage your gums or remaining teeth.
Should I go to the emergency room if I have a dental emergency?
No. You’ll be turned away from a hospital emergency room for a dental emergency. Licensed dentists are the only medical personnel that is authorized to treat dental problems. Call us immediately if you experience a dental emergency, and we’ll get you seen as soon as possible. The only reasons you should go to the hospital for a dental emergency is if you have a physical injury or excessive bleeding.
How do I know that I’m experiencing a dental emergency?
You have a dental emergency if it’s something that needs to be taken care of immediately. Sharp, sudden pain or pain that gets significantly worse would be considered an emergency. Large breaks or losses of teeth or dental restorations are also considered emergencies.
Contact Our Office
Do you need urgent dental care? Call emergency dentist Dr. Larsen in Bountiful, UT at 801-295-8881. Request an appointment with us if you have a dental concern, but don’t need emergency care. Let us know if you have questions about your oral health problems. Dr. Larsen is here and ready to help.
