Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? There are several reasons why a toothache would occur, ranging from a minor, easy-to-fix issue to more serious complications that require immediate care. That’s why, if you’re experiencing intense dental pain, make sure to schedule an appointment with our team so we can help alleviate the root of the problem.

How you should handle a toothache: Begin by rinsing your mouth with water, preferably saltwater to help disinfect the area and alleviate both discomfort and swelling. Make sure to also floss around the affected tooth to dislodge any potential debris or food particles, and use an ice pack to minimize pain. You can even take over-the-counter painkillers as instructed until you come to see us.

How we treat toothaches: We’ll evaluate your situation to determine the root of the toothache. For minor complications, we may simply need to provide a filling or dental crown. For more serious cases, we might have to perform gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction may be necessary.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? A chipped tooth isn’t life-threatening or always painful, so it isn’t considered a dental emergency. Still, you’ll want to get it treated sooner rather than later. Leaving it unaddressed can expose the tooth to bacteria, additional damage, or even infection. To avoid further problems, schedule a visit with our team for help.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Try gathering any larger pieces of your tooth so that you can bring them with you to our office. Rinse your mouth with water to remove dirt and debris. Be sure not to chew on that side of your mouth. If you notice any sharp or jagged spots after chipping your tooth, try covering them up with dental wax (or sugar-free gum) to protect your soft oral tissues.

How we treat chipped teeth: Small or minor chips can likely be repaired with composite resin, which can be completed in a single visit. If the damage is larger or more noticeable at the front of your smile, then you might consider opting for a longer-lasting solution, such as veneers or a crown.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Not only is a cracked tooth painful, but it can become vulnerable to bacteria if left untreated. Without proper treatment, you can end up facing more serious problems like further damage, decay, and infection. Cracks aren’t always easy to see, so if you notice increased sensitivity or pain, give us a call right away for help.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Always rinse your mouth with water to get rid of any debris and dirt, and then let our team know about your situation. We can inform you of your next best steps until you arrive at our office. Take over-the-counter pain medications to help minimize pain and swelling while you wait.

How we treat cracked teeth: The most common way to treat a cracked tooth is to use composite resin to fill the area. However, if the damage is deeper or more severe, we may have to provide a dental crown or even extract it to preserve your smile. We’ll be sure to discuss your tooth-replacement options beforehand.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Very sensitive teeth can be a dental emergency that requires timely care, so don’t wait to call our office to schedule an appointment.

How you should handle very sensitive teeth: You’ll want to be very mindful about how you clean your teeth and what you eat while waiting to see our dental team. Staying away from hot or cold foods and beverages is essential, as is engaging in habits that can cause additional pressure to be placed on your already sensitive teeth.

How we treat very sensitive teeth: We will need to identify the underlying reason for your sensitive teeth, which may include aggressive brushing, excessive teeth whitening, a cavity or cracked tooth, an infection, or even advanced gum disease. Based on our findings through a visual examination and digital imaging, we will create a treatment plan that incorporates the appropriate form of care.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatment

Learn More About Periodontal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is my knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, you should seek immediate help for a lost tooth. This is a time-sensitive issue that needs the care of a trusted emergency dentist.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Retrieving your tooth and rinsing out your mouth is the first step after calling our office. Then, you should attempt to reinsert the tooth into the socket if possible. You can gently bite down to hold it in place. If you’re unsuccessful, simply put the tooth in a container of milk and bring it to your appointment.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: We will need to examine the tooth as well as your mouth to determine the severity of the situation. If we find that we can reintegrate the tooth, we will do so with a splint. Over time, it will fuse with surrounding tissues. However, if your tooth is lost or too badly damaged, or if you do not arrive within the hour, your tooth may no longer be viable. In this situation, we will discuss ways to replace it with a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Although you may be concerned about your lost dental crown or filling, it’s unlikely that you will need to see your emergency dentist the same day. However, you do not want too much time to pass. Otherwise, you might develop an infection or further damage.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Because the area is likely to be sensitive, it’s best if you avoid anything spicy or extreme in temperature. Instead, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and be careful when cleaning around the vulnerable tooth. You do have the option of using dental cement to temporarily re-bond your crown; however, you don’t have to do this if you do not feel comfortable.

How we treat a lost filling or crown: Replacing a lost crown or filling first requires that we examine the restoration. If you are able to bring it to your appointment, do so, as we may be able to permanently bond it back into place. If this is not possible, or it is too badly damaged, we will begin the process of placing a new tooth-colored filling or having a metal-free dental crown created.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Metal-Free Dental Crowns

Broken Dentures  

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? You might be surprised to hear that the answer is “yes.” Whether your denture has a large crack down the middle or it has shattered into several pieces, you need to get an appointment on the calendar with our Cleveland emergency dentist right away.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture We recommend not wearing a broken denture since it can lead to further problems, including uncomfortable mouth sores. Instead, place them in a small, clean container for safekeeping and bring them with you to your appointment.

How We Treat Broken Dentures Sometimes, the damage is minor enough that we can repair your denture at our office. Other times, our only choice is to have it replaced with a new traditional or implant denture.

Loose Permanent Tooth  

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a loose permanent tooth warrants a visit to our Cleveland dental office – immediately. We need to assess the damage and intervene with the necessary restorative care before the tooth completely falls out.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth From home, there’s really only one thing you can do: try to protect the tooth from further harm. So, don’t chew on that side of your mouth, avoid touching/wiggling it with your finger, and get to our office as soon as you can for treatment.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth There are some cases where a loose permanent tooth can be saved, which usually involves a dental splint. Of course, there are also some cases where saving your tooth isn’t feasible, requiring us to gently extract it and replace it with the next best thing: a dental bridge or implant.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue  

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? It’s an emergency in the sense that it requires immediate attention. However, soft tissue injuries can usually be handled at home, so it likely won’t warrant a same-day visit to our office.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue First, go to the sink and rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean, cool water. Then, pinpoint where the cut is and use a damp washcloth (or gauze) to apply pressure to it. The bleeding should stop within 10 minutes.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue We mentioned above that the bleeding should stop within 10 minutes of applying pressure. If that doesn’t happen, then you should go to the ER or call 911.

Jaw Pain  

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Your initial inclination may be to ignore your jaw pain. However, if it persists for more than 24 hours, it’s progressively getting worse, or you’re experiencing other abnormal symptoms in tandem with your jaw pain, you should absolutely call our emergency dentist.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain Try using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, sticking to soft foods, like oatmeal, and taking OTC pain medication as directed. These are all short-term measures that will help keep you comfortable until your appointment.

How We Treat Jaw Pain Jaw pain can be treated with everything from TMJ treatment to wisdom tooth extractions. It really depends on what the root of the problem is! That’s why your emergency exam will begin with detailed X-rays and a comprehensive oral exam.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

If you have something stuck between your teeth, there are a few things you shouldn’t do, like trying to use a tweezer or toothpick to remove the debris. Instead, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm saltwater before flossing gently between your teeth. If the debris remains firmly in place, give us a call to schedule an exam with Dr. Kirlough.