Get Immediate Dental Emergency Assistance in Wall & Spring Lake NJ

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A dental emergency is an oral injury that requires immediate attention. Dental emergencies are scary, anxiety-inducing experiences but the first thing to remember is to stay calm. An emergency dentist can provide critical dental services for injuries like damaged teeth, a knocked-out tooth, or an infection that has reached a severe point requiring swift care, and more. Any sort of immense oral pain or trauma can be a dental emergency. Mishaps happen daily so there is no fool-proof way to prepare for something like sudden tooth decay injury or infections. By getting in touch right away with a Monmouth County emergency dentist, chances of irreversible damage to your teeth are preventable.

At Comprehensive Dentistry, we offer a range of emergency dental services to provide relief from pain, to avoid infection, stop bleeding, save a tooth, or any other urgent concern.

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is considered any oral situation that needs attention to stop bleeding, relieve pain, or save a tooth. If you are bleeding as a result of a cracked or missing tooth, or even feeling sleep-deprived from the pain, this calls for the attention of an emergency dentist in the Monmouth County area. Active lifestyles that include sports, athleticism, or any sort of fast frequent movements are common causes of dental emergencies. Wearing protective gear or practicing safe distancing while playing these sports are protective methods from oral or bodily harm. If a dental emergency does happen, do not hesitate to contact our emergency dental professionals at Comprehensive Dentistry. Common dental emergencies include:

A broken or cracked tooth

Bleeding of the gums, tongue, or cheeks that are not stopping

An abscess

Loose teeth (in adults)

Broken dentures

Broken or missing fillings or crowns

When a tooth is knocked out. Even with children, it’s not safe to assume that if a baby tooth was knocked out that they are just fine. For any age, having a tooth knocked out can also affect the gums.

Snapped, broken, or loose braces are also emergencies, but these should be handled by your orthodontist

Get in Contact With Your Dentist Right Away

Informing your dentist is the first thing that must be done. Prolonging this step often leads to further damage and increased infection if the injury is not checked within a rapid time. Extreme toothaches that prevent focus or normal functionality in your daily life is also considered an emergency. According to the American Dental Association for toothaches, you should rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Remove any excess food by flossing in between the teeth, and do not physically put any pain relievers on the tooth or in the gum tissues. This type of dental issue can pose more of a threat than an instant injury. In many cases, an unbearably painful toothache is the result of bacteria reaching the root and nerves of your tooth which sends shocking pain waves to your brain. At our Monmouth County office, we examine whether the source of the issue is gum disease, an enlarged cavity, or long-term root exposure.

Monmouth County Same-Day Dental Restorations

Restorations help preserve your smile and prevent any further damage to the surface of your tooth. There are many options available for restorations that include; bridges, crowns, fillings, implants, and dentures. Based on the severity of the injury, our skilled dentists can potentially fix your oral issues in one day making it quick and convenient, saving you time. Speak to one of our knowledgeable professionals in Monmouth County, NJ about same-day treatment options.

What do I do if a tooth was knocked out?

You need to be seen by an emergency dentist within 30 minutes of your tooth being knocked out, so call us right away at Comprehensive Dentistry.

Do not pick up the tooth by the root. This is extremely important, and here’s why: teeth are attached to the jaw bone via the periodontal ligament, which is also how teeth get their blood supply and their nerve sensation. The cells in the root can still regenerate if action is taken immediately after a tooth has been knocked out. Hold the tooth in place where it fell out after rinsing it. If the tooth is dirty, then do not use soap. Rinse it well to preserve those necessary cells for regeneration. Otherwise, there’s a risk of losing the tooth.

What is not a dental emergency?

The moment your mouth begins to hurt is not necessary the moment you have an emergency. It may hurt a lot when you have a cavity and are eating or drinking foods and beverages that are either very cold or hot. But a cavity, while urgent, is not a life-threatening dental illness. Call our office to schedule a check-up to see how we can help.

Post-Emergency Procedure Care

The swelling will be normal after your procedure around the surgical site. This swelling will probably last for two to four days. It is highly recommended that the patients apply an ice pack for 20 to 30 minutes on the first day in order to reduce swelling. You may also want to try sleeping propped up since laying flat can increase swelling. After a procedure, your teeth may feel a little sore with potential swelling. This is all completely normal and is maintainable with an ice-pack or common over-the-counter pain relievers. At our Monmouth County office, we provide prescription anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to prevent infection during the healing stage. We also supply our patients with aftercare guidelines and instructions like examples of soft foods to eat or preventing a blood clot. After this period, enjoy returning to normal life and going about your regular oral care regimen. Speak to your Monmouth County dentist about guidelines on aftercare.

As for pain medication, you may be prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication as well as an antibiotic. Both of these are important for your healing, so make sure to take your anabiotic as prescribed until you finish the bottle. Over-the-counter ibuprofen pain medications, such as Advil and Motrin, are reliable pain relievers. But if you cannot take either of them, Tylenol is another good choice. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage on the bottle of whichever you choose.

Lastly, after any sort of emergency surgery, it’s important not to smoke, or drink out of a straw. This is because both of these require movement of the mouth that can break blood clots that are forming in your mouth that need to heal. Refrain from smoking for at least a few days after your surgery to improve and recovery.

Eating After An Emergency Dentistry Service

If your emergency dental service required surgery or another procedure, then here are some tips to help you care for your mouth. Immediately following a dental procedure or surgery, the gauze should be kept in place with the firm pressure for at least 30 minutes. If the site of the surgery is still bleeding, then replace the gauze with a new one and bite firmly so that you can apply pressure to the area. You should avoid solid food for the first 24 hours after your surgery and stick to a liquid or extremely soft diet. The types of food you definitely do not want to eat after a dental procedure include:

Sugary foods, such as candy

Acidic foods such as orange juice or lemon

Chewy or sticky foods such as gum

Extremely hot or cold foods and beverages, because the site of your procedure is going to be very sensitive

Crunchy foods such as especially nuts, seeds, and carrots

Instead, you can eat soft fruits such as bananas and peaches, soft foods such as oatmeal and soups and pasta, or you can make milkshakes or smoothies. Stick to this diet for a few days until your wounds have healed enough for more solid food. Your Monmouth dentist will provide you a customized treatment plan with tips specifically for you.

Schedule an appointment

A dental emergency is a scary situation, if you are experiencing severe tooth pain or have recently chipped or lost your tooth, getting in touch with our Monmouth County dental professionals will benefit you right away. Our dentists are very knowledgeable and skilled at providing optimal treatment for fast and efficient patient care. Schedule an appointment today and speak with one of our after-hours emergency experts to hear all your restorative options.