Urgent Dental Care

At Turnagain Dental we understand sometimes life just happens and some dental needs become more urgent. Whether you have had trauma to a tooth or are experiencing a toothache, our team is here to help.

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any problem in or around your mouth that requires immediate attention from a dental professional. Typically, urgent care is needed to reduce pain, stop bleeding, save and protect a tooth, or avoid future complications. Ask yourself:

• Do you have severe pain in your tooth, gum or jaw?
• Is bleeding in your mouth too much to swallow fast enough — or not stopping?
• Is there abnormal swelling in or around your mouth?
• Did your tooth get knocked out, or is your tooth loose?

If you answered yes to one or more, contact your dentist to schedule an urgent appointment.

Dentist vs. Emergency Room

If you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing, your emergency may be life-threatening — go to the emergency room immediately. For urgent dental problems that are not life-threatening, it's best to avoid an unnecessary trip to the ER. Instead, call Turnagain Dental for an urgent appointment.

What to Do if You Have a Dental Emergency

Once you have determined your problem is not life-threatening, take these steps to temporarily alleviate symptoms:

Severe pain in your tooth or gums: swish with warm saltwater, then apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth near the pain.

Bleeding that won't stop: rinse with warm saltwater, then apply pressure to the area with moist gauze.

Broken or chipped tooth: swish with warm saltwater. If there is bleeding, apply moist gauze with light pressure. Use a cold compress for swelling or pain.

Then call Turnagain Dental. During business hours one of our team members will take care of you; after hours, follow the instructions on the answering machine.

How to Prevent Future Dental Emergencies

• During sports: protect your teeth with a custom mouthguard from your dentist
• Avoid using your teeth as tools — don't bite nails, fishing line, or hold needles between your teeth
• Avoid chewing excessively hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I determine if I need urgent dental care?

Severe pain often represents a serious issue, such as an abscessed tooth. Knocked-out teeth must be treated within a short window to be saved. Sudden swellingcan indicate infection. Missing dental restorationsleave the tooth vulnerable. Soft-tissue injuries may also be emergencies depending on severity.

My tooth was just knocked out. What should I do?

Seek dental care immediately. A tooth that stays out of its socket for an hour or longer may not be able to be saved. If the tooth has shattered, locate as many fragments as you can and bring them to your appointment.

I have a soft tissue injury. What should I do?

• Use a mild saltwater rinse
• Apply consistent pressure with moist gauze
• Use a cold compress on the outside of the area for at least five minutes

Despite our best efforts, dental emergencies still happen. Call our office immediately — we will do our best to see you at the earliest possible time, often the same day.