What is emergency dentistry? This refers to treatments for damaged teeth or portions of the smile in pain due to oral health issues. We don’t want you to try and live with the pain, allowing the issue grow more severe. Instead, your Astoria, NY, dentist wants to see you right away to perform an exam and offer treatment options.
Care Outside of Office Hours
We know that emergency situations rarely happen at convenient moments, or during regular office hours. When you have a damaged tooth, please give our office a call and let us know. We will find a time to see you quickly, and offer care to relieve discomfort and prevent oral health complications.
Common Emergency Issues
What are common examples of dental emergencies? Well, a chipped tooth is a major one, as even minor damage could mean discomfort and an increased risk of decay or infection unless treated. Even if no damage is visible when you sustain an injury to your face or mouth, consider scheduling an exam anyway to make sure a fracture hasn’t occurred, as these could be nearly invisible to the naked eye. A loose or knocked-out tooth is a major cause for concern as well. Other examples include objects caught between teeth that you cannot remove with floss, a sudden toothache, or a lost or missing filling or crown. If one or more of these issues develop, then please let our team know!
Mediating Your Discomfort Before Your Visit
What could be done to ease discomfort immediately following your injury? Well, if you have a chipped tooth, then try to recover any pieces and bring them with you. If this isn’t possible, that’s okay, we can still restore the tooth. Use cloth or gauze to stem any bleeding, and to control swelling place a cold compress or ice pack to the side of the face. If a tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown, or visible portion, never touch the root. Place it in a glass of milk or salt water and bring it to the office with you. Again, take steps to stem bleeding and control swelling.
For any situations in which an injury or discomfort arises, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. If an object is stuck between your teeth, only use floss to try and dislodge it. If a filling or crown is loose or lost, then avoid sugary foods and drinks, or items with a very high or low temperature, as the tooth will be very sensitive!
Ready for an Emergency Visit?
We want to help you maintain optimal oral health by addressing damage before major complications arise. To learn more about our approach to repairing and rebuilding your smile, then schedule a consultation by calling Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
