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Emergency Dentist in Lewiston Maine

Same Day Emergency Dental Treatments For Damaged Teeth, Toothaches, Root Canals, Crowns, Fillings, and more

What Should You Do If You Have A Dental Emergency

If you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency please call a dentist right away. Here at Aspire Family Dentistry we provide same-day emergency dental services that include helping with damage to teeth and damage to dental implements like crowns or bridges. Different dental emergencies require different care. For example, if a tooth is knocked out or breaks, you should bring the tooth or piece of tooth with you to the dental office. If you or your family member is experiencing swelling or pain you can use a cold compress to alleviate pain as you travel to the dentist. If you or a family member is bleeding you can use gauze or a clean cloth and apply light pressure to the area. 

NOTE: If you are experiencing a dental emergency severe in nature and/or involves a medical emergency, call 911.

Schedule An Emergency Dental Appointment in Lewiston Maine

The most important thing to do if you are someone you know is having a dental emergency is to contact a dental office right away. We provide 24/7 dental emergency services. All you need to do is call to set-up an appoint at our office or one of our dental partners’ offices. 

How Do You Know When To Seek Emergency Dental Services?

Sometimes, it’s obvious. At other times, you might question whether your pain qualifies as an emergency. We’d recommend calling immediately so we can assess both our emergency dental issue and level of pain, then make a plan to take care of both.

Some common dental emergencies we see are:

Most chipped teeth can be fixed easily with a dental filling. However, if the pulp is exposed root canal and a dental crown may be necessary.

What To Do:

If you are able to recover the fragment of the tooth, rinse it off and bring it to your emergency dentist. Apply gauze or a clean cloth to any area that is bleeding with light pressure. You can also minimize swelling and pain by using an ice pack or a cold/damp dishcloth. Additionally, a topical pain reliever can be administered to decrease pain. 

If a tooth is knocked out due to injury, you need to act quickly. If you can get to a dentist quickly, it may be possible to re-implant the tooth.

What To Do:

The first thing to do when a tooth is knocked out is call a dentist and schedule an emergency appointment. If possible place the tooth gently into the socket or hold it inside your mouth against your cheek. Do not pick the tooth up by the root, only touch the crown of the tooth. If you can’t keep the tooth in your mouth, it can be kept in a cup of milk.

Tooth decay can cause a filling or dental crown to detach from the tooth. Crowns/fillings are most likely to detach when chewing on food.

What To Do:

First, make an appointment with a local emergency dentist. If you still have the crown you can bring it to the dentist. In the meantime, you exposed tooth may be sensitive to temperature and pressure. Mild pain relievers and dental cement (sold at many pharmacies) can be used to treat sensitivity. 

Some dental injuries may require an emergency root canal procedure. If the tooth pulp is exposed due to a broken tooth you will likely need a root canal.

What To Do:

If you believe that you may need an emergency root canal procedure, you should quickly contact an emergency dentist in your area. If your tooth is damaged, pain relievers can help manage discomfort prior to your dental appointment. A cold compress or ice pack can help manage any swelling as well.

 

Toothaches range in severity as do the causes of toothaches. 

What To Do:

Minor toothaches can often be handled at home by thoroughly cleaning the tooth and rinsing out the mouth. However, if pain persists or is severe, contact an emergency dentist right away. Toothaches can be caused by Bruxism (grinding teeth) which can caused cracked teeth over time. Another common tooth issue is root surface sensitivity which can be caused by a variety of factors. DO NOT place aspirin or other pain relief medication between your teeth and cheeks as it can damage your gums as it dissolves. Instead use an ice pack or cold compress until you can see a dentist.

Bleeding gums are often a sign of gum disease or infection. If your gums bleed frequently or do not stop bleeding you should make an immediate appointment with a dentist.

What To Do:

One cause of bleeding gums is improper brushing technique. If you brush too hard you may damage your gums. Adjusting how you brush your teeth and changing your toothbrush can help. However if your gums bleed often or are sore this is likely a sign of gum disease. An earlier dental visit can help prevent further damage to your gums and teeth.

A swollen jaw often paired with tooth pain or general soreness can be a sign of a few different dental issues. One of the most common concerns are infections or tooth abscesses. 

What To Do:

An infected tooth can look perfectly fine above the gum, but decay can be happening internally. Tooth injection can lead to jaw pain as well as swelling. Like any infection, the earlier it is treated the better. Make a dental appointment right away and use ice packs to reduce the swelling. 

There are a many different dental issues that are cause for concern. The general rule of thumb is that if you are experiencing pain or noticing swelling/bleeding you should make an appointment right away. The earlier a dentist can intervene the better. Not only can early intervention help reduce pain and other symptoms it can also help save your teeth. Contact us today for Emergency dental services in Maine.

Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions

If you are experiencing unbearable pain, the pain is spreading throughout the jaw and neck area, or you are bleeding profusely and it will not stop, you should go to the ER right away. Call 911 immediately if you are experience a medical emergency. 

Most dental benefits to cover dental emergencies. However, deductibles, annual maximums, and co-pays still apply to emergency dental work. To find out if your dental insurance covers dental emergency, consult your insurance provider.

There are many types of dental emergencies. But simply put, a dental emergency is any dental issue that requires immediate attention. Life-threatening emergencies should always be handled by doctors. But a broken tooth, lost filling, knocked out tooth, or similar emergency can be handled by a local dentist that offers emergency services. Our office offers 24/7 emergency services and works with a network of dentists throughout Maine. 

While waiting to see a dentist, you may be inconsiderable pain. Pain medications can help decrease the pain you experience. Additionally a cold compress, ice pack, or cool dishcloth can reduce swelling and decrease pain. In cases where a tooth’s nerves are exposed due to a crack in the enamel or a broken tooth, many pharmacies sell dental cement that can temporarily cover the exposed nerves. 

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