Sciota, Pennsylvania
An after-hours dental emergency is something no one wants to think about, but, unfortunately, accidents are a part of life, and it’s always best to be as prepared as possible to deal with them. Our Sciota family dentists know that in the event of a dental emergency — a bad toothache or a tooth being broken or knocked out, for example — a lot of time, energy and money can be saved simply by having an action plan. After all, emergency dentistry can make the difference between saving a tooth and facing a far more extensive and expensive tooth restoration down the road.
So how do you know what constitutes a dental emergency? Check out this list of three times our family dentists at Chestnuthill Dental say it’s important to seek out an emergency dentist:
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Your tooth is knocked out
Teeth can become loose or get knocked out of the socket for a number of reasons. Some people may suffer from severe gum disease while others may sustain a mouth injury. In any case, an unexpected lost tooth should be assessed by a dentist.
Meanwhile, if your tooth falls out or is knocked out, clean the tooth of any dirt or blood, try to place it back in the socket and bite down on moist gauze. If the tooth won’t go back in the socket, store the tooth in a cup of milk and get to a dentist as quickly as possible. Significant injuries may require tooth replacement to fill the gap in your smile, but it’s worth a shot at saving the tooth if you store it properly and immediately seek an emergency dentist.
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Your tooth is cracked or chipped, and the nerve is exposed
If your tooth becomes cracked or chipped, or if a large filling or crown falls out and leaves the tooth’s nerve exposed, you should call an emergency dentist right away. Not only are these circumstances likely to cause severe pain, but your tooth is subject to damage if left untreated. Many people instinctively go to a local emergency room, but a dentist is better suited for this emergency. It’s always a good idea to have a list of nearby after-hours dentists on hand in case of an emergency.
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You have severe tooth pain that won’t stop
Teeth aren’t supposed to hurt, so when they do, it can be a sign that something more serious — an exposed tooth nerve, decay, or an abscess, which is an infection that leads to severe toothaches in many cases — is going on. An abscess can be serious and even turn deadly if the infection spreads to your heart or brain. Even if over-the-counter pain relievers help, it’s important to contact an emergency dentist to assess and address the infection.
Emergency Dentist in Sciota, PA
Minor chips, cracks or loose fillings may be able to be put off for a few days, but no dental issue should be allowed to go on for too long. When in doubt, always give your local family dentist at Chestnuthill Dental a call at (570) 865-7929. We’ll ask you a few questions about your pain level, the nature of your injury and your current oral health condition to determine how soon we need to work you into our Sciota dentist’s office.
