Emergency Dentistry - Colorado Springs, CO
Quality Dental Care When You Need It Most
Many people take their dental health for granted — until they find that their mouth is in sudden, excruciating pain. A dental emergency can happen to anyone at any time, which is why our team is always ready to leap into action and help patients who are in urgent need of high-quality and compassionate care. If you ever find yourself facing one of the frightening situations detailed below, contact us right away, and we’ll make room in our schedule to see you as soon as possible.
Why Choose Aesthetic Dentistry By Design for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-day appointments available for emergency patients
- State-of-the-art technology leads to faster pain relief
- Dentist with nearly 40 years of experience
Common Dental Emergencies
Whether your dental emergency is the result of an extremely bad toothache or a sudden accident, the first thing you should do is call Aesthetic Dentistry by Design. The best way to find relief and prevent the problem from getting worse is to seek out professional care as quickly as possible. Before you’re able to reach our office, however, the following tips will help you take control of the situation:
Toothaches
There are a number of possible reasons behind a toothache, which can include a cavity, a cracked tooth, or some type of trauma. Some toothaches are extremely serious and require immediate attention, otherwise, the tooth may need to be extracted. Place a cold compress on the face or use an OTC medication to help manage any discomfort until we can see you.
A Chipped/Broken Tooth
Many of our patients who play sports end up with chipped/broken teeth, but they can also happen if someone accidentally bites into a hard piece of food. Try to recover as much of the tooth/teeth that you can and place them in a safe container.
Avulsed (Knocked-Out) Tooth
Try to find the tooth, pick it up while only touching the crown, give it a gentle rinse, but DO NOT dry it. The tooth needs to stay wet in order to keep it alive, so attempt to place it back into its socket if possible. If this doesn’t work, the tooth needs to be kept in milk or saltwater.
Partially Dislodged Tooth
See if you can push the tooth back into its socket. If not, just leave it alone, and do what you can to come see us right away. In most cases, we’ll be able to put the tooth back into its original position, but if you wait too long before seeking out care, it may need to be removed.
A Lost Filling or Crown
Pretty much any situation in which a tooth can be damaged is one that can cause a filling or crown to become dislodged. Find the restoration, give it a quick rinse, and try to place it back into the mouth, using a dab of toothpaste as needed for a temporary adhesive.
Jaw and/or Soft Tissue Injuries
If you’ve suffered a laceration to your gums, we can help with that as well, but if the bleeding doesn’t stop after about 10 minutes, head straight to your local emergency room. You should go to the ER if you suspect that you have a broken jaw as well.
If you are ever unsure whether your situation constitutes a dental emergency, it is best not to ignore the problem. Call your emergency dentist in Colorado Springs, describe your circumstances, and we’ll give you advice on what to do next. In many cases, our office will be able to get you in for a same-day appointment.
What Do I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?
In addition to making room in our schedule to see you, we can also give you specific guidance on how to care for your mouth until you receive treatment. Depending on your situation, we might advise that you:
- Take mild painkillers. These can mitigate your discomfort. Just be sure not to apply painkillers directly to your gums because they may cause chemical burns.
- Replace your lost filling or crown. You may be able to use a temporary adhesive to reapply your lost restoration to your tooth.
- Apply ice. This can help keep swelling down.
- Avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that hurts. This precaution may prevent further damage to your tooth.
- Take steps to save your knocked-out tooth. If you have an avulsed tooth, touch it only by the top part and gently rinse off any debris. Keep it moist in your mouth or in a glass of milk until you get to our office. The sooner you receive professional treatment, the more likely it is that the tooth can be reattached.
- Visit the emergency room. In some cases, such as if you have a jaw injury, it would be best to visit the local ER before you visit your dentist in Colorado Springs.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
- Wear a protective mouthguard every time you play sports whether they involve contact or not. Dr. Gasper can provide you with your own custom-made mouthguard to guarantee full protection and a comfortable fit.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages or remove tags—that’s what scissors are for!
- Don’t chew on hard items like ice, fingernails, pens, pencils, etc…
- Consistently brush and floss your teeth to keep them strong and healthy.
- Visit Aesthetic Dentistry by Design once every 6 months so we can catch and treat a small problem before it can turn into an emergency later!
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Treating a dental emergency can be as simple as having a patient take an antibiotic to deal with an infection or as complicated as needing to remove and replace a tooth. It all depends on a person’s specific situation. All options are more expensive than avoiding an emergency completely, of course, but if you ever require urgent care, we’ll quickly go over what you’ll be expected to pay so there isn’t an unpleasant surprise at checkout.