Emergency Dentist — Moses Lake, WA

Is my toothache a dental emergency? A toothache can be a dental emergency if it is caused by serious injury or an oral health problem (i.e., cavity, gum disease, abscess). In most cases, it’s unlikely your situation is considered “urgent;” however, if you notice pain, fever, or swelling, a small bump near the affected tooth, pain when biting down, or the tooth appears dark in color, don’t wait to call our office to schedule an appointment. How you should handle a toothache: It is best if you rinse your mouth with warm water in case there is anything that needs to be dislodged. You can also use dental floss to try and remove anything that might be stuck. If necessary, an over-the-counter pain reliever can be used to relieve any discomfort, and a cold compress to reduce swelling. How we treat toothaches: At Moses Lake Family Dentistry, we will capture digital images of your oral cavity to determine if the problem exists beneath the gum line. No matter the reason for your toothache, you can trust that our emergency dentist in Moses Lake will formulate a personalized treatment plan that focuses on how to properly treat your problem area. This can include:

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? A chipped tooth is not typically a dental emergency if you are feeling no pain. However, it is always a good idea to go ahead and call our office to alert us to the situation. Based on the information provided, we can determine if you should come in right away or wait a few days before seeking treatment. But no matter the recommendation, getting help for a chipped tooth will help you to avoid more serious damage along the way.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Make sure to wash out your mouth to eliminate any debris left behind. You’ll also want to use dental wax or sugar-free gum to cover the tooth and prevent your soft oral tissues from being damaged. It is also helpful to take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you experience discomfort.

How we treat chipped teeth: As a dentist in Moses Lake, Dr. Nick Smith can evaluate the severity of the chip and decide whether it is best to use direct bonding or veneers. If the chip is minor and does not pose any threat to the tooth’s overall structure, composite resin can be used to cover the flaw and restore aesthetics. However, if the chip is rather large and you’re worried it will negatively affect your appearance, veneers may be the way to go.

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? A cracked tooth can be a dental emergency if you begin to experience pain. While you may be unable to see the actual damage, it could exist beneath the surface. If you have no pain associated with your facial trauma, you may be able to wait a few days before coming in to see us, but no matter the symptoms, you should always receive treatment for a cracked tooth. Why? Because the longer you wait, the greater your chances of experiencing more serious damage.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: When dealing with a cracked tooth, it is best if you rinse your mouth with warm salt water to cleanse the area and flush out any debris left behind. You can also use sugar-free gum or dental wax to minimize any sensitivity you might experience, and you’ll want to avoid chewing on that particular side of your mouth.

How we treat cracked teeth: If the crack is minor, it may be possible for us to use direct bonding to cover the imperfection and put you back on your way. However, if the crack is quite prominent and has caused significant structural damage to the tooth, a dental crown may be necessary.

Is very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Very sensitive teeth are not generally considered dental emergencies; however, it doesn’t hurt to call our office and alert us to the situation. Many times, symptoms will not just “go away,” but instead, you will need some form of treatment to address the underlying cause of your tooth sensitivity. In minor cases, it may be worn tooth enamel, excessive whitening or brushing, or gum disease. In more severe situations, a cracked tooth, abscess, or dental cavity may be causing your tooth discomfort.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: Instead of drinking cold or hot beverages, consume them at a lukewarm temperature to prevent irritating the area. Also, avoid anything spicy, acidic, or sweet, as this, too, can make your sensitivity worse. If necessary, feel free to take an over-the-counter pain reliever to make the waiting phase more manageable.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: Treating tooth sensitivity is largely based on what is causing it in the first place. If it is worn tooth enamel, your emergency dentist in Moses Lake might recommend desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, or fluoride treatment. If more serious problems are the reason, anything from periodontal therapy, tooth-colored fillings, root canal therapy, and tooth extraction may be recommended.

Is my knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? A lost tooth in Moses Lake is certainly the type of injury that is considered a “dental emergency.” Because a permanent tooth is not designed to be out of its socket, you will need to get to our dental office as soon as possible (preferably within one hour) if you want us to try and save your tooth.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: The best thing you can do is rinse your mouth with warm water before rinsing the tooth of any debris. You’ll then want to try and reinsert it into the vacated socket. If you’re unable to do so, simply place it between your cheek and gums. You can also choose to place it in a container of milk and water to keep it moist while transporting it to our dental office.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: When arriving at Moses Lake Family Dentistry, we will look to see if the tooth can be saved. If so, we’ll try to reattach it. It will then need additional time to reintegrate into the bone and tissues. If the tooth is severely damaged or is no longer viable due to the length of time it has been out of the socket, we will need to discuss replacing it with a dental implant, denture, or dental bridge.

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? It’s natural to panic if your restoration comes out, but don’t worry, it’s not technically considered a dental emergency. Yes, a lost dental crown in Moses Lake or filling isn’t something you want to occur, but it does happen. The truth is these restorations are meant to last a lifetime. They will need to be replaced at some point. However, should this happen to you, it’s better to get in to see us sooner rather than later to avoid any potential damage or infection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: You can try to reinsert it if it is still fully intact using dental cement, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing this, simply avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Also, be very careful when brushing and flossing near the tooth with the lost restoration, as you could accidentally cause more damage to its structure.

How we treat a lost filling or crown: At Moses Lake Family Dentistry, Dr. Nick Smith will recommend one of two solutions: either re-bond the restoration or replace it. If it is still fully intact, there may be a way he can put it back into place and seal it. However, if you’ve lost the restoration or it is too damaged, he will need to have a new tooth-colored filling or metal-free dental crown created to properly protect your smile and the structural integrity of your tooth.

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? If you have a loose tooth in Moses Lake, don’t wait to call us. Also referred to as an extruded or partially dislodged tooth, these must be treated immediately to keep it from falling out and requiring tooth replacement.

How you should handle loose permanent teeth: The best thing you can do is to avoid touching or prodding it with your finger or tongue. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help to eliminate bad bacteria and thoroughly cleanse your oral cavity. You’ll also need to stay away from anything crunchy or hard and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: At Moses Lake Family Dentistry, we will carefully examine your tooth to determine the underlying cause of the problem. Knowing why your tooth is loose will help us to identify the best way to treat the issue. If gum disease is attacking your bone and soft tissues, we’ll need to administer periodontal therapy to treat the area and attempt to hold the tooth in place until it reintegrates with the bone and tissues.

If facial trauma is the reason, we may need to extract it depending on the severity of the injury. We can then discuss ways to replace it (i.e., dental bridge, dental implant, denture). If a dental implant is loose because of deteriorating bone, we will need to remove it and perform a bone graft to strengthen the area. We can then determine if you should receive a new implant once you’re fully healed.

Is my broken denture a dental emergency? If you suffer a broken denture in Moses Lake, it is imperative that you contact our office right away. Seeking professional help will ensure that you avoid any further damage to your soft oral tissues or natural teeth.

How you should handle a broken denture: Do not attempt to repair your broken denture yourself. There are repair kits available on the market, but you may do more harm than good. It is best if you do not wear your damaged prosthetic and let us help determine how best to care for the issue.

How we treat broken dentures: Dr. Nick Smith will examine the damaged prosthetic first before recommending appropriate treatment. If the break is minor, we may be able to use composite resin to bond it back together. If the crack or break is severe, we will need to either replace it with a new denture or discuss the potential for dental implants, which are more stable, functional, and longer-lasting.

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Soft tissue injuries might seem worrisome, but they’re usually not considered a dental emergency. If you’re unable to stop the bleeding after 10 minutes, you’ll need to get to the emergency room for immediate medical attention. Otherwise, there are tips you can use at home to remedy the situation until you can get in to see us.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: First, rinse your mouth to flush out any debris. Use clean gauze to stop the bleeding. Once you are no longer bleeding, you can use a cold compress to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: You may need stitches depending on the severity of the laceration. If so, Dr. Nick Smith will be happy to assist. We’ll also discuss the reason for your injury and if a customized mouthguard might be necessary to avoid this type of problem in the future.

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Serious jaw pain can be a dental emergency. When you are having difficulty opening and closing your mouth and performing many of the most common daily tasks (i.e., eating, speaking), you need to call and schedule an appointment right away. If you’ve broken or fractured your jaw, don’t wait to see us. Instead, get to your local emergency room.

How you should handle jaw pain: Our dental team at Moses Lake Family Dentistry will not only schedule an appointment for you, but we’ll also provide helpful tips to minimize pain and make you more comfortable while you wait to see us. These may include:

• Facial stretches and massages
• Avoiding hard, crunchy foods that place more pressure on your jaw joints
• Avoiding bad lifestyle habits (i.e., chewing on pens or pencils, eating ice, using your teeth as tools, biting your fingernails)

How we treat jaw pain: Your emergency dentist in Moses Lake will take digital X-rays and use other advanced dental equipment to determine what is causing your jaw pain. A customized mouthguard might be beneficial if you are prone to grinding your teeth at night while you sleep. If inflammation in your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) is causing chronic pain, you may need to seek TMJ Therapy to achieve greater relief.

If you have an object stuck between your teeth, you need to know which tools to reach for, so you won’t accidentally damage your smile. Toothpicks, forks, and other sharp-edged instruments may cause the object to be pushed further into your gums, making it harder to remove. You might also cut or harm your soft tissues or teeth. Instead, make sure to grab your dental floss or a water irrigator to safely and effectively remove the object and achieve lasting relief.