If you are currently experiencing a dental emergency, please contact us as soon as possible.
A dental emergency is considered to be any unexplained pain or discomfort surrounding one or more of your dental structures. Drs. Balzen and Helmer offer emergency dentistry services to patients who need immediate dental care. From jaw pain and tension headaches to dental damage and tooth loss, we are prepared to help you when you experience any kind of dental emergency.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you think you are experiencing a dental emergency, had an accident or mouth trauma, and more. Our office will prioritize your care and ensure you are seen by the dentist as soon as possible.
Emergency Dentistry in Clinton, NC
Dr. Balzen has helped many of his patients restore their dental health after experiencing a dental emergency. While each dental emergency is unique, it’s important to know what to do if you experience any of the following common dental emergencies before seeing a dentist. Learn more about how to handle common dental emergencies below.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If you experience a knocked-out tooth, please try to locate the tooth as soon as possible. Pick up the dislodged tooth by its crown, avoiding touching the tooth roots. Then, place the tooth in a glass of milk or water to keep it moist while you are in transit to the dentist’s office. Once at the dentist, we will do our best to reattach the tooth. The sooner you see a dentist, the more likely it is that we will be able to reattach the tooth.
Toothaches
Toothaches can be caused by many issues, including dental decay, gum disease, dental damage, tooth misalignment, and more. It’s important to have a toothache evaluated by a professional dentist as soon as possible, even if the pain eventually subsides.
Toothaches often indicate underlying dental concerns, which will only get worse the longer they are left untreated. Taking over-the-counter pain medication should help manage your pain while you are waiting to be seen by the dentist. Additionally, a cold compress held over the cheek can reduce swelling.
Jaw Pain
If you experience frequent jaw pain, tension headaches, or earaches, you may be suffering from a TMJ disorder. TMJ disorders are caused by a variety of factors including anything that may be placing unintended stress on your jaw joints. Often, patients with TMJ disorders have a history of teeth grinding.
Additionally, they may be suffering from bite misalignment. Depending on the cause of your TMJ disorder, Dr. Balzen or Dr. Helmer will work with you to provide symptom relief and ensure that the underlying cause of your pain is treated promptly.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
How do I determine if I’m having a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is anything that needs to be taken care of immediately. Sudden pain, a tooth falling out, or dental restorations breaking or falling out are all considered emergencies. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you’re not sure if you have an emergency, call us so we can determine when you need to be seen.
How do I handle a dental emergency?
To start, call us immediately so we can get you seen in the office as soon as possible. Utilize over-the-counter pain medications and cold compresses to manage any pain or swelling. If a tooth or restoration fell out, do your best to pick up all of the pieces and bring them with you to your appointment. Remain as calm as possible before you can be seen in our office.
Why does a dental emergency need to be addressed quickly?
With many dental emergencies, immediate treatment is needed. It minimizes the chances of more permanent damage as a result of the emergency. With a knocked-out tooth, it’s only viable for a certain amount of time after it’s out of the mouth. Even minutes can matter when it comes to these kinds of injuries.
What’s the most common dental emergency?
Tooth pain is the most common. A toothache can be caused by so many different things, ranging from serious to mild. It needs to be examined thoroughly to determine the root cause. Particularly if the pain is sudden and sharp, don’t take tooth pain lightly. Bring it to the attention of your dentist, especially if it’s lasting.
Can I go to the ER for a dental emergency?
No. If there’s trauma to the soft tissue, like your cheek, an ER can take care of that. But only a licensed dentist can handle any problems with the actual teeth and gums.
What do I do if there’s an object stuck between my teeth?
Try to gently remove the object with a piece of dental floss. Avoid using any tools like knives, etc., so that you don’t cause further damage to your mouth. If you can’t get the object out with floss, call our office. Dentists have specialized dental tools that are made for use in the mouth.
What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?
Even though baby teeth aren’t permanent, this is still a dental emergency. Baby teeth only come out when they’re ready. They’re placeholders for adult teeth. When they’re knocked out prematurely, it can impact how the permanent teeth erupt. It’s important to have a dentist take a look and determine the best course of action.
Is a jaw fracture a dental emergency?
For this injury, it’s best to head to the emergency room. A bone fracture is typically covered under the medical section of your insurance, not dental, so it’s important to keep that in mind. A severe head injury can also have many other consequences that aren’t immediately visible.
Contact Us As Soon As Possible!
The sooner you address your dental emergency, the better. It’s important to see a dentist even if your pain has subsided to ensure that your overall dental health has not been affected. If you are currently experiencing a dental emergency, please contact our office as soon as possible so that we can reduce and treat your pain or discomfort. We look forward to helping you restore your dental health and your peace of mind.