Emergency Dentistry

in Orlando, FL

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A chipped tooth isn't quite as serious as a cracked tooth. You can usually wait a few days before having the tooth checked, but you don't want to ignore it for too long; we need to see how serious the damage actually is and make sure that there isn't a risk of infection.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth:

Sometimes the part of the tooth that chips off can be saved, so find and store it if you can. Then rinse your mouth with water to chase away any bacteria that might be lingering near the damaged area. You can protect the rest of your mouth by covering the sharp edges of the tooth with sugarless gum or dental wax.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth:

Repairing a chipped tooth is a relatively simple matter. We can apply a small amount of filling material to the chipped area, then blend it so that it appears as if the tooth was never damaged at all. If there were multiple chips, you might want to consider getting dental veneers to hide them all.

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

The short answer is yes; a cracked tooth should always be treated like an emergency. Even if it is a small crack that isn't causing you any pain, the damage could run deeper than you can see, and it might have left the inside of the tooth exposed to harmful bacteria.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth:

Gather any pieces of the tooth that have broken off and save them if you can. Rinse your mouth with water, then cover any sharp or rough edges with dental wax or sugarless gum. If the area around the cracked tooth is swollen, hold a cold compress over it.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth:

The traditional way to repair a cracked tooth is with a dental crown, although sometimes a filling can be used for more minor damage. We will only recommend having the tooth removed and replaced altogether if the damage is so bad that repairs are no longer possible.

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sugary substances can be alarming and make eating or drinking more of a challenge. This symptom could indicate that your teeth's enamel has been compromised, and decay has started to set in. However, it is not necessarily a dental emergency all the time. Sometimes, teeth can feel sensitive because of wear and tear without the presence of decay. The only way to know which is true in your case is to have Dr. Russo take a look!

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

As soon as you feel tooth sensitivity, monitor when it is triggered. Is it only when you have sugary foods or drinks? Is it getting worse over time? Paying attention and looking for patterns or trends, you can possibly see whether the issue merits an emergency visit or can wait until your next checkup/cleaning appointment.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth

Treatment for this issue will vary depending on the cause. For decay, we'll remove the affected tooth structure and replace it likely with tooth-colored fillings, but dental crowns may be necessary.

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

When a tooth is knocked out from an injury, it is definitely considered an emergency situation. You have a very limited time that the tooth can successfully be re-implanted, so you need to contact our office immediately if this happens to you. In fact, you should arrive within an hour of your injury for the best chances of saving the tooth. Dr. Russo will be happy to help get your smile back on track.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

When you pick up the tooth or touch it in any way, do not contaminate the root portion. Always handle the tooth by the crown or the part that is usually visible above the gumline. Gently rinse the tooth with clean water, and then try to place it back where it belongs. If you find this too difficult, you may put the tooth in some milk or hold it in between your lips and gums to keep it moist until you come in for your emergency appointment.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

If you have not already done so yourself, Dr. Russo will reposition the tooth within your arch. Then, he will use an oral appliance called a splint to secure it while the connective tissues heal. If we are unable to save your tooth, we can then go over your replacement choices, namely a bridge or implant.

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

Yes, a broken denture in Orlando is a dental emergency that requires seeing a dentist right away.

How you should handle a broken denture:

When faced with a broken denture, you'll want to avoid putting it back into your mouth. This can cause damage to your teeth and gums, resulting in further injury to your mouth.

How We Treat Broken Dentures:

The most common way to replace a broken denture is to simply replace it with a new one. However, if you'd rather look at your other options, which include dental bridges and dental implants, we'll be happy to discuss these with you during your visit.

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Yes, a loose tooth in Orlando is a serious dental injury that should be treated immediately. Adults should not have loose permanent teeth. Children whose permanent teeth are fully erupted should also seek immediate attention if this happens.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth:

While at home waiting for your appointment, avoid touching the tooth to prevent it from falling out of its socket. Instead, don't chew on that side of your mouth, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you feel any discomfort. Also, be careful when cleaning around the particular tooth.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth:

Our dental team will immediately capture diagnostic images to determine the cause of your loose permanent tooth. If the culprit is gum disease, we'll need to administer periodontal therapy quickly to eliminate the bacteria and improve your gum health. We may also need to recommend a bone graft to increase density within the jawbone. However, if an infection is present and causing serious damage to the tooth, root, and bone, we may need to extract it and discuss the option for a dental bridge or dental implant to remove the tooth.

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

No, a soft tissue injury is not typically a dental emergency; however, you are always welcome to come in and see us if you're in any pain or unsure if any serious damage has occurred. Typically, these injuries heal on their own.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue:

The only reason you should seek emergency medical attention at your local ER is if you cannot stop the bleeding after 10 minutes. Otherwise, place gauze on the wounded area and hold until the bleeding stops. You can then use a cold compress to minimize swelling and discomfort.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue:

If we do see you for your soft tissue injury, we will determine if stitches are necessary before discussing the reason for your dental accident. If caused by physical, contact sports, you may need to look into a customized sportsguard to better protect your mouth.

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Yes, chronic jaw pain can be a serious problem if left untreated. It can arise for many reasons, which is why it's important that you see your dentist sooner rather than later for treatment.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain:

Until you're able to see us for an appointment, make sure to avoid chewing or biting down on anything hard, as this will only cause more discomfort. Also, stay away from bad habits that apply more pressure to your jaw joints.

How We Treat Jaw Pain:

To treat your jaw pain, we must first identify the underlying cause. If you're prone to grinding your teeth, you may need a customized nightguard to safeguard your pearly whites and keep them from touching throughout the night. If it's caused by TMJ, you'll likely need an occlusal splint to help relieve the pressure and pain put on your jaw joints.

If you have something stuck between your teeth, it's unlikely that you'll require emergency dental care. All you need to do is rinse with warm water and use dental floss to remove food particles. However, if the pain is continuing to worsen, and you try to remove the object with something sharp like tweezers or a toothpick, you increase your risk of potential damage to your gums or teeth, resulting in the need to see an emergency dentist in Orlando.