Dental Emergency Spokane, WA

When you have an accident that leads to a broken tooth or even completely knocking the entire tooth out, your first reaction might be panic, especially if it's after the dental office has closed. You might think you need to rush off to the emergency room. The emergency room isn't always necessary though. There are different ways for dealing with dental emergencies.

Urgent or Non-Urgent

Your first step to dealing with a dental emergency is to not panic. Then, decide whether the emergency is urgent or not. Urgent dental emergencies include:
Non-urgent dental emergencies include:

Call The Office First

Before you run off to the emergency room, call the dental office first. Even if it's after hours, you can leave a message. Some offices have an answering service that can field your call. Schedule an appointment for as soon as possible.

After you call the office, you can do things at home to care for your injury. However, if it's the weekend and you can't wait until the next day, you are recommended to or you are suffering non-stop bleeding or extreme pain (which can be an indication of infection), then you should go to the emergency room.

At Home Care

While you're waiting for your appointment, there are things you can do at home to help alleviate any pain. A salt water rinse can help reduce pain and swelling. It can also stave off infection. Cold water compresses also help to reduce swelling. If you suspect something to be lodged between your teeth, flossing can help to remove the culprit.

If you have knocked out a tooth, it is possible to save it. Pick up the tooth by the top and rinse off the root. You can try to place the tooth back in the socket. If the thought of that makes you squeamish, you can preserve the tooth in milk until you can get to the office.

A cracked tooth also requires special care. While it doesn't require a trip to the emergency room (unless you are in excruciating pain), you should be seen as soon as possible. Until you can get to the office, make sure the tooth is kept clean. If the crack extends into the pulp, you are more likely to get an infection.

Prevention

While you can't prevent all injuries from occurring, you can take certain measures to decrease their likelihood. Be careful, especially with hard foods. Brush and floss daily to ensure that your teeth are strong and healthy. You should also be sure to visit the dentist office at least twice a year for a thorough exam and cleaning. During your exam, we can detect any weak spots that could be susceptible to damage, giving you the opportunity to have any necessary fixes done to strengthen your teeth.

If you have suffered a dental emergency, contact NorthView Family Dental. Your health is our top priority. Allow us to help you through your time of need. Call today to schedule an appointment.