Planning for a Dental Emergency

If you or a loved one had a dental emergency, would you know what to do? As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Dr. Jay Ahuja at Family Dental Clinic in Charlotte NC wants you to know all you can about emergency dentistry. You can prepare for pressing tooth and gum issues now for good results later.

What is an emergency dentistry Charlotte appointment?

A dental emergency is a very urgent or life-threatening medical concern involving the teeth, gums, and other soft and hard oral tissues. These situations are examples of dental emergencies:

• Toothache
• An abscess (infection)
• A lost or broken denture, filling, or crown
• Displaced, knocked out, or broken tooth
• Fractured or dislocated jaw (a medical emergency requiring hospital treatment)
• Copious bleeding from anywhere in or around the mouth

Your emergency dentistry Charlotte office urges you to call right away if you find yourself with one of these problems. You'll receive competent and compassionate first aid advice and if necessary, a same-day appointment with Dr. Ahuja.

Can you plan for an emergency?

You can. We suggest you have a dental emergency kit at home and carry one with you on vacation or to the ballfield if you have a young athlete in the family. In it, keep:

• A bottle of water
• 4x4 gauze pads
• Dental floss
• A pair of vinyl exam gloves
• Plastic zip-lock bags or other small sealable containers
• Band-aids
• Antibiotic ointment

What to do and when to do it

Here are some examples of dental emergencies and what you can do to stabilize them before coming to the Family Dental Clinic for emergency dentistry Charlotte appointments:

1. Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth: Rinse dirt and debris off the tooth and replant its roots into the empty socket. Hold it in place while you travel to the dental office. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a sealed container of water, milk, or over-the-counter tooth preservative, and get it to Dr. Ahuja. It may be saved if placed into the socket within a half-hour of injury, says the American Association of Endodontists

2. Chipped tooth, filling, or crown: Bring the fragments to your dentist. He may use composite resin for repair or replace the entire restoration as needed.

3. Bleeding oral tissues: With 4x4 gauze or a clean cloth, apply direct pressure to the wound. If bleeding doesn't resolve within 15 minutes, go to the hospital ER.

4. Broken orthodontic wire or bracket: Apply orthodontic wax, and call your dentist.

5. Toothache or suspected abscess: Take ibuprofen for pain and apply a warm compress to your jaw. Call Family Dental Clinic for an appointment.

Contact us

Never hesitate to contact Dr. Jay Ahuja and his caring team at Family Dental Clinic in Charlotte NC for all your emergency dentistry needs. We want all our patients happy and healthy! Keep our phone number in your contacts: (704) 536-6655.