In the event of a dental emergency, please call 918-347-1114. A dental emergency is a sudden or severe dental problem that requires prompt care. Dr. Trace Bridges provides emergency dentistry treatment in Tulsa, OK. Emergency dental problems need immediate care. Contact our office when you have a severe dental injury, bleeding, or tooth loss.
At Hope Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Bridges works with patients to determine the cause of their problems. Then, he can find the best solution. Emergency dental services are one of the general dentistry services we offer in Tulsa, OK. With emergency dentistry, we can help prevent future dental problems with effective dental treatment.
Emergency Dentistry in Tulsa, OK
You must treat sudden and severe dental problems immediately. Our Tulsa dental office can provide prompt emergency treatment for patients with these dental problems:
Knocked-Out Tooth
If you have just lost a permanent tooth, try to locate the tooth. Hold the tooth by its top or crown. Avoid touching the tooth roots, and gently rinse your tooth in cool water.
You can try to place the tooth back in your socket and gently bite it down. If you cannot place the tooth back in your mouth, put the tooth in a cup of saliva for transport to our office. You can also place your tooth on the side of your cheek to keep it moist. If you cannot locate your tooth, place a clean cloth or gauze at the socket to help stop the bleeding.
Sometimes, we can place the tooth back in our office. If we cannot save the tooth, or if you cannot locate your tooth, we will recommend a restoration. A dental implant is one of your best tooth replacement options. Implants can replace single lost teeth at the root.
Broken or Lost Restoration
Have you broken or lost a filling, dental crown, bridge, or denture? Don’t panic–if you can, locate the broken piece of your restoration, but do not place it back in your mouth. Please bring it to our office. If we cannot reattach the restoration, we will provide you with a temporary restoration until we create a permanent one for you.
Tooth Pain
Toothaches and tooth pain have many possible causes. A dental abscess, wisdom teeth, or severe tooth infection can create tooth pain. Before you visit our office, take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
We will consider your symptoms and examine your smile to determine the cause of your tooth pain and recommend the proper treatment. Our office sometimes recommends a filling, root canal, or extraction, depending on your needs.
Broken Tooth
A break in your tooth can expose your tooth to harmful bacteria. Treating a large dental injury can prevent pain, further damage, and infection.
Rinse your mouth with water if you have just broken a tooth. Then, apply pressure to the tooth with a clean cloth or gauze. If you break a piece of your tooth off, you can bring it to our office in a cup of saliva. As with knocked-out teeth, you can take pain medication before you get to our office.
A large tooth fracture requires restorative care. We can cover broken teeth with dental crowns. You can schedule an appointment if you have a small chip in your tooth. We may recommend bonding to fix your tooth structure.
Soft Tissue Injury
If you have just cut your gums, palate, or another area inside your mouth, rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash. Then, hold moistened gauze over the area. Apply a cold compress if you experience swelling in your cheek.
Contact us, and we will examine the damage and recommend the right treatment. We will find the source of any possible bleeding and stop it to prevent blood loss.
Can You Prevent a Dental Emergency?
Yes, in some cases, you can prevent a dental emergency. Caring for your teeth and gums can prevent tooth damage or loss. To lower the chance of a dental emergency, you can follow these tips:
- Wear a Sports Mouthguard: We recommend wearing a mouthguard if you play contact sports. A mouthguard covers the upper teeth to prevent hits to the teeth or gums. It can also prevent damage to braces.
- Don’t Use Teeth As Tools: Don’t use your teeth to open packages or other objects. Find scissors or a box cutter first. You can chip or break a tooth if you try to open things with your teeth.
- Avoid Bad Habits: Biting directly on hard or crunchy foods or objects can damage one or more teeth. Avoid bad habits like chewing ice or biting your nails. These problems add more pressure to your teeth and can lead to a dental injury.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Learn more from our emergency dentist in Tulsa, OK, with answers to these common questions:
What is not a dental emergency?
Some dental problems are not a dental emergency. You can wait to schedule an appointment for these problems:
- Food stuck in gums or between teeth
- Small chip in your tooth
- Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing
However, you need emergency dental care for severe pain or discomfort. Please call our office if you are unsure if you have a dental emergency. We will consider your symptoms before recommending immediate dental care or help schedule a non-urgent visit.
When do you visit the ER for a dental emergency?
We recommend visiting the hospital if you have severe pain or excessive bleeding. You can call the hospital if no dental office is open during your emergency. Additionally, it’s best to go to the hospital if you have a physical injury or medical problem in addition to your dental problem. We will provide dental care once you are physically healthy.
Can emergency dentists treat knocked-out or injured baby teeth?
A knocked our baby tooth is normal, unless your child experiences severe pain or bleeding. Then, we will examine the area for problems. However, if a baby tooth is injured but still in place, we can treat it to relieve pain and prevent further problems.
What should I do if I suspect my jaw is broken?
If your jaw is broken, do not go to the dentist. Instead, go to an emergency hospital right away. Our office will treat any dental problems when you are stable.
A doctor there can take care of any serious injuries and make sure you’re stable. After your jaw is treated and you’re feeling better, we can treat broken teeth, tooth loss, or other damage.
Can I fix a broken tooth at home?
No. Do not try to fix a broken tooth at home, because you can damage it further. Instead, call our office so we can find the best restoration for your tooth. In the meantime, if you’re in pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to help. You can also use a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling.
What should I do if I accidentally swallow a piece of a tooth?
If you accidentally swallow a tooth or a piece of a tooth, don’t panic. It will pass through your digestive system without causing harm. If you feel pain, discomfort, or any trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room right away.
Let our dentist know what happened. He might want to check the area where the tooth or piece was, to ensure there are no injuries or further issues that need attention.
Can an emergency dentist remove a tooth?
Yes, if needed, we can remove a severely infected or damaged tooth. Removing a problem tooth can sometimes relieve problems like severe tooth pain. We will numb the area so you won’t feel pain during the procedure, and they will carefully remove the tooth.
Can you get dental care the same day as a dental emergency?
Yes, you can often get dental care the same day as a dental emergency. We offer emergency dentistry appointments in Tulsa, OK for situations like a severe toothache, broken tooth, or other urgent dental problems. When you call, let our office know you have an emergency so they can fit you in as soon as possible.
Receive Emergency Dental Care
Treat urgent dental problems to prevent future complications. Call Hope Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry for emergency dentistry treatment in Tulsa, OK, today at 918-347-1114. If you do not have an emergency but require dental care, schedule a dental appointment online.
Please let us know if you have questions about our emergency dentistry services. We want to help you find the best solution to your dental problems.