Emergency Dental Care

Straighter, Functional teeth that fit your lifestyle.

Emergencies happen to everyone. They can’t always be predicted and they certainly can’t be timed to fit into convenient business hours and working schedules. Dental emergencies are especially difficult for many people to deal with. Highly common dental anxiety aside, what is supposed to be done with injured teeth?

Distinctive Dental Services is here for you. Give us a call to ask any questions, or to set up an emergency appointment. We can very often see patients for a same-day visit.
In between your injury and your appointment, follow these guidelines for the best and most effective dental first aid.

For a Tooth That Has Come Loose or Fallen Out

Any time a tooth has either gotten dangerously loose or come out entirely due to accident or injury, this does constitute a dental emergency. Give us a call as soon as possible, and follow these steps:

1. Only touch the tooth by the crown, which is the visible biting surface. Avoid the root if at all possible.
2. Rinse the tooth and the socket gently, before placing the tooth back into the socket. If this is possible leave it there until reaching the dental office.
3. If replacing the tooth is not possible, store it in liquid to keep it hydrated and safe. Because it will cause much less swelling, milk is the best liquid for the job.
4. Get to the dental office. We have the best chance of saving a tooth if we get to it within a half hour or so.

For a Tooth That Has Broken or Chipped

Whether or not a broken or chipped tooth is an emergency situation depends on the extent of the damage.

A very severely broken tooth should be treated similarly to the missing tooth we discussed above.

If there is a lot of pain and sensitivity, bleeding, and swelling, call us right away.

For any other chips or cracks that are not causing severe pain, there’s good news. These aren’t emergencies. You’ll be okay if you have to wait between a few hours and a few days before getting them looked at during a convenient time.

However, don’t let them go for too long. Cracks and breaks can expose the inner tooth to harmful bacteria and temperature. They will need to be fixed eventually, and sooner is better than later.