Whether you were playing basketball with some friends, rollerblading, or you fell down some stairs, you may have injured your mouth. Once you notice you are bleeding, are in extreme pain, have knocked out a tooth, or have any other type of dental emergency, you’ll want to contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible. If there is a tooth involved, this may mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth!

Accidents aren’t the only cause of dental emergencies, though. If you’ve skipped checkups and are experiencing extreme pain or discomfort, you may need to contact an emergency dentist to have the issues resolved immediately. With that said, you may not know what to look for in emergency dental in Indianapolis IN. Below is more information about emergency dentistry, and what to look for in the right provider.

What is Emergency Dentistry?

Emergency dentistry is a field of dentistry that involves the immediate care of major dental problems that require timely assistance. If you are experiencing pain, bleeding, swelling, or other issues that are distressing and severe, you’ll want to contact an emergency dentist to have the problem looked at.

Below are a few examples of dental emergencies:

  •       Oral bleeding
  •       Sore and swollen gums
  •       Damaged orthodontics 
  •       Cracked, chipped, broken, or knocked out tooth, teeth, or dental restoration
  •       Broken fillings
  •       Painful teeth or jaw
  •       Extreme or sudden sensitivity 
  •       Broken or bent dentures
  •       Damaged or loose crowns
  •       Dental infection

If you are experiencing any of the emergencies listed above, you need to contact a dental office that provides emergency dentistry. If you already have a primary provider, see if they offer this service. If not, you can contact 24/7 Dental. We will discuss the problem with you and let you know if immediate assistance is warranted. If it is, we’ll see you as soon as possible. If not, we can set an appointment to take a look at your teeth, gums, and jawbone so we can diagnose the issue and resolve it.

Emergency Dental Treatment Options

Emergency dentistry isn’t a single form of treatment. There are different treatment options, and the treatment you receive will be tailored to meet your specific needs. Your dentist will generally manage pain, stop any bleeding, then address the root cause. If there is an infection, antibiotics may be used to address it. Your dentist will let you know what the exact procedure will look like once you visit the practice for an assessment.

What to Look for in Emergency Dental Indianapolis IN?

When you are choosing the right dental office, you’ll need to know what to look for in emergency dental in Indianapolis IN. Below are some things you’ll want to consider:

Experience

Emergency dentistry can be extremely difficult, so it’s important to find a dentist that specializes in emergency services and has lots of experience in the field. Check if the dentist you are considering offers emergency dentistry as a primary service, and how much experience they have.

Insurance

Check to see if the office you are considering takes your dental insurance. If you can’t find an office that takes your insurance, you may have to look into financing options.

Availability

Check to see if the office is open and available for an emergency appointment. Some offices set time aside for emergencies. With that said, if the office is booked, they may be able to give you a referral to another office.

What to Expect

You may be wondering what to expect once you’ve set an emergency dental appointment. Here are some common things that may happen during your visit: 

  •   A long-term treatment plan.
  •   Pain relief recommendations.
  •   A comprehensive re-assessment of your oral health with the help of an oral health exam.

At 24/7 Dental, we do everything we can to ensure your comfort while we are addressing any pressing concerns. We’ll then put together a plan to help address your oral health problem in the long term.

What to Do if You Have a Knocked Out or Damaged Tooth?

If you find yourself with a tooth that has been knocked out or a tooth that has been broken or damaged, you need to take immediate action. Contact 24/7 Dental about your emergency. In the meantime, consider the tips below: 

  • If you have a tooth that has been knocked out, rinse the tooth with water. Hold the tooth by the crown. Do not hold it by the root. Don’t scrub away or remove soft tissue. If possible, put the tooth back in the socket. Hold it in place and bite down gently. If you are unable to, place the tooth in a small container with milk. Try to protect the tooth and have it re-implanted quickly.
  • If you have a broken tooth, rinse the debris away with warm water. If you are able to find fragments of the tooth, collect them and save them. Use an ice pack for the swelling.

The faster you take action, the higher the likelihood of success.

Emergency Prevention

While you can’t always avoid a dental emergency, there are things you can do to increase the likelihood of preventing an emergency. Below are some things you can do to lower the chances of having a dental emergency: 

  •       Brush your teeth at least twice a day, every day
  •       Floss at least once daily
  •       Drink lots of water
  •       Use a mouthguard whenever necessary
  •       Replace your toothbrush often
  •       Schedule routine check-ups and teeth cleanings
  •       Avoid sugary foods and drinks and maintain a healthy diet

Reach out to 24/7 Dental Today!

If your tooth is chipped, cracked, damaged, or has fallen out, or if you are having any other sort of oral health emergency, contact 24/7 Dental today. We will check our availability to see if we have any openings for an emergency service. We will then schedule you an immediate appointment.

If you have any questions about emergency dentistry, reach out to 24/7 Dental today. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have.