Emergency Dentistry

What is a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies can include a sudden and severe toothache, an accident that chips or cracks a tooth, a damaged or loose restoration, or a lost or damaged tooth.

To know if your situation is an emergency, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you in severe pain or experiencing severe swelling?
• Do you have a painful toothache that will not subside?
• Do you have a loose or knocked-out tooth?
• Do you have swelling in your cheeks or face combined with a toothache?
• Are you experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity?
• Are you bleeding from the mouth that will not stop?
• Is your jaw injured?

Any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. This consideration also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening and constitute contacting your dental office.

What does an emergency dentist appointment cost?

Emergency dental exams at Hamilton Family Dentistry cost between $0-$188. However, the cost of your dental services varies depending on the nature of the emergency and the treatment required.

We encourage you to learn more about the cost of dental services at our office, here.

What's the best way to handle a dental emergency?

In a dental emergency, your first step should be to contact your dentist. For extremely severe cases, seek immediate care at an emergency room.

There are several actions you can take at home to manage a dental emergency until you get professional help:

• Rinse with warm salt water to relieve pain and cleanse the area.
• If a tooth is knocked out, keep it moist in a glass of milk.
• Use dental floss to remove any trapped particles that may be causing pressure.
• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and ease pain.
• Swish with hydrogen peroxide to reduce bacteria (do not swallow).
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage discomfort.