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Emergency Dentistry services offered in East Lake, Landsbrook, Tarpon Springs, FL
When an unexpected dental issue arises, having a trusted team to turn to can make the situation far easier to navigate. At the Center for Dental Excellence East Lake in Tarpon Springs, Florida, Courtney Nowicki, DDS, MS, FICOI, and Robert Christ, DMD, FAGD, FICOI, lead a team of dental professionals dedicated to meeting your urgent emergency dentistry needs. Call to determine your next steps, and remember that online booking is always an option for less urgent care needs.
What is emergency dentistry, and what needs can it meet?
Emergency dentistry is an area of dental practice focused on addressing urgent dental needs. Dental problems can arise any day or night, often when you least expect them. Knowing where to turn can make a big difference in the outcome.
In the immediate aftermath of a dental emergency, the steps you take can sometimes mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth. You should also have soft tissue injuries treated promptly to reduce scarring and lower the risk of infection and other complications.
How do I know if my dental issue is a true emergency?
It can be hard to know if your dental problem is a good fit for emergency dentistry. One approach is to think about how long you can wait to be seen by a dentist. If your dental needs cannot wait for a normally scheduled appointment, emergency dentistry is most likely the right fit.
Some examples of when you might need emergency dental care include:
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Severe dental pain
- Swelling in the face, jaw, or within the mouth
- Lacerations to the tongue, lips, or other soft tissues
- Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth
- Object wedged between teeth or in gum tissue
- Signs of infection
If you or a loved one encounters a dental emergency, call the office to explain your circumstances and to get guidance on what to do next.
What should I do for a knocked-out tooth?
A knocked-out (avulsed) tooth is one of the most common types of dental emergencies. Your response can increase the chance of saving the tooth through reimplantation.
Begin by locating the tooth. Pick it up carefully, avoiding the roots, which are the portion of the tooth that normally lies below the gum line. Your tooth’s roots are covered in living cells, and damaging those cells can make reimplantation impossible.
You can try to place the tooth back into its socket, then bite down on a piece of gauze or a clean cloth to hold it in place. You can also try placing the tooth in the space between your gum tissue and cheek to keep it moist and safe. Alternatively, place the tooth in a small container covered in lukewarm milk.
Contact the Center for Dental Excellence East Lake for more information. Online booking is also an option for less time-sensitive booking needs.