When you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to know who to contact. At Baltimore Dental Co., we are here for you when you need us the most. In many cases, permanent damage can be avoided with prompt and effective treatment. We make every effort to see patients with a dental emergency on the same day if considered necessary to preserve your dental health.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our office at your earliest convenience 410.833.4664. If your emergency is occurring after office hours you will be contacted by the dentist on call.
The problem with dental concerns and dental emergencies is that they often only get worse as time goes by. Seeking a general dentist’s professional opinion will help you figure out the underlying dental health issues that caused your dental emergency in the first place.
Dr. Leah Romay is your trusted general dentist in Glyndon, MD. She provides compassionate and effective oral health solutions to help patients resolve their immediate dental emergencies while also helping them avoid future dental concerns in the future.
Emergency Dentistry in Glyndon, MD
The most important thing to do when experiencing a dental emergency is to keep calm and call your dentist. Dr. Leah Romay is happy to help you during times of crisis and will ensure you are seen as soon as possible.
When you contact us, be prepared to describe your injury or situation. Our dental staff member or dentist will give the next steps you need to take. Please follow the exact advice and steps we give you. It is important to your oral health and may even be key to saving your tooth. Some of the emergency dental services we provide to our patients include:
Knocked-out tooth
If your tooth is unexpectedly dislodged from your mouth, it is vital to attempt to find the tooth. If you can find it, pick the tooth up by the crown and avoid touching its roots.
Place the tooth back into its original socket within your mouth and hold it there until you can see a dentist. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk to maintain its moisture until Dr. Romay can see you.
Severe tooth pain or toothache
A toothache may or may not be a dental emergency. However, some causes can lead to permanent damage and tooth loss including an impacted tooth and a dental abscess. It is best to contact Dr. Romay just in case if experiencing severe tooth pain.
Until Dr. Romay can see you, use over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs to control the pain and any swelling. Avoid placing heat or painkillers directly on the gums as this can make some dental situations worse.
Dental abscess
A dental abscess is considered a dental emergency. This is a dental infection, and you may lose your tooth. Signs of an abscess include a severe toothache, swollen gums, a pus-filled swollen spot on the gums near the base of a tooth, and a fever. In almost all cases, a tooth abscess requires emergency dental care so please contact us as soon as possible. The infection can enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body if left untreated.
For temporary relief, use over-the-counter pain relievers, ice packs, and saltwater rinses. Never attempt to drain the abscess yourself, and never apply heat as this can cause the infection to spread.
A loose filling or filling that has fallen out
A loose filling or lost dental filling is a dental emergency because it leaves the tooth exposed and vulnerable. The tooth can easily become damaged or infected. Also, it can lead to discomfort and pain. You will need to take steps to minimize the pain and discomfort especially if the tooth filling ends up falling out.
We recommend gently rinsing out your mouth with warm water to clean any debris out of the area. Avoid chewing on that tooth to prevent damage and discomfort. If the tooth is experiencing sensitivity, you can purchase dental wax to cover the tooth.
Broken, cracked, or chipped tooth
A damaged tooth may or may not be a dental emergency. It depends on the extent of the damage. However, it is important to always contact us and describe what happened. Tooth damage because of a weak tooth could mean there is a serious underlying issue. Also, if your tooth was damaged severely, it may be vulnerable to further damage and infection and you are at risk of losing your tooth.
Until your appointment, keep the tooth as clean as possible by rinsing it often. If the tooth is sensitive or has sharp fragments, you may cover them with dental wax that you can buy from the store. You can manage pain and swelling with over-the-counter medication and a cold pack.
Missing, broken, or loose dental crown or bridge
A damaged or lost dental restoration is an emergency because it leaves the tooth weak and vulnerable to further damage and infection. Bacteria can then enter the tooth leading to a painful infection. The tooth can also easily crack or chip. Not to mention it leads to severe tooth sensitivity.
Until your appointment, avoid chewing on the exposed or vulnerable teeth. If the bridge or crown fell out, please retrieve it and bring it to your appointment. Never attempt to reattach it or replace it.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding our emergency dentistry services:
What qualifies as a dental emergency?
Many things qualify as a dental emergency. Sudden and unexplained tooth pain or discomfort should be reported to your dentist as soon as possible, including throbbing or extreme sensitivity. If you have lost a tooth unexpectedly, seeing your dentist in a timely manner is also important.
In some cases, a knocked-out tooth can be reattached if treated promptly. Any excessive bleeding from your soft tissues should also be evaluated as soon as possible by a professional dentist, especially following any dental procedures.
Chipped or cracked teeth should also be addressed as early as possible and immediately if there is pain or swelling. Repairing tooth damage can avoid further damage and even tooth loss.
How do you handle a dental emergency?
When dealing with a dental emergency, the first step is to rinse your mouth out with some mild salt water. To apply pressure to the bleeding area, use a tea bag or piece of moistened gauze.
For 15 to 20 minutes, stay still. You may also apply a cold compress to the cheek or outside of the mouth in the afflicted area for five to ten minutes to stop bleeding and ease pain.
What happens if you pull a tooth while infected?
If the tooth is permanently infected, there is no other option but to extract it. After the tooth is extracted, there may still be some infection inside that needs to be treated with antibiotics or drained.
Are cavities considered dental emergencies?
If untreated, the cavity will deepen until it exposes the pulp chamber or fractures the tooth. Both of these situations are considered dental emergencies.
Contact Baltimore Dental Co. If You Have a Dental Emergency
Dr. Leah Romay provides emergency dentistry in Glyndon, MD for her patients. If you suspect you’re dealing with a dental emergency, contact Baltimore Dental Co. today at 410.833.4664. Our office treats patients of all ages. We are here to help you and will schedule you for our earliest available appointment.