Have you ever bitten down on something hard and felt your tooth crack? Or perhaps you've had a toothache for weeks, and it won't go away?
At Antelope Creek Family Dentistry in Lincoln, NE, we consider these and many other issues to be dental emergencies. A dental emergency is anything that requires immediate diagnosis or treatment, from unrelenting dental pain to broken or dislodged teeth.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please contact us immediately. We reserve time slots for emergency dental patients so you can receive the exceptional and speedy care you need when you need it most.
Common Dental Emergencies
Common dental emergencies we see at Antelope Creek Family Dentistry are:
Toothaches
A toothache can be painful and hinder your ability to focus on tasks or comfortably chew food. Though it may seem like a nuisance, a toothache can be more serious than you may think. Dental pain can indicate untreated gum disease, exposed tooth roots and nerves, untreated tooth decay, or other conditions.
- Symptoms: Persistent and severe pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, swelling.
- Causes: Untreated gum disease, exposed tooth roots and nerves, decay.
- At-Home Care: Rinse with warm salt water and apply a cold compress for swelling.
- In-Office Treatment: Fillings, root canals, or other appropriate procedures.
Knocked-Out Teeth
A knocked-out tooth can be frightening, but don't worry! Your emergency dentists are here to help you every step of the way. If you locate the lost tooth, rinse it with water and avoid touching the root. Try to gently reinsert it or place it in a cup of your saliva or milk to keep it moist and viable until you get to our dental office. Your dentist will either reinsert the tooth or provide you with customized tooth replacement options.
- Symptoms: Loss of a tooth due to injury.
- Causes: Trauma or accident.
- At-Home Care: Rinse the tooth without touching the root, try to reinsert it, or store it in milk.
- In-Office Treatment: Reinsertion, dental implants, or bridges.
Chipped or Cracked Teeth
A chipped or cracked tooth can cause internal damage or additional wear on surrounding teeth. Luckily, these mishaps are easy to repair with our high-quality restorations.
- Symptoms: Visible damage, pain, sensitivity.
- Causes: Trauma, biting hard objects, general wear.
- At-Home Care: Rinse your mouth, and avoid chewing on that side.
- In-Office Treatment: Dental bonding, veneers, or crowns.
Lost or Damaged Restorations
If you have a lost or broken filling or tooth crown, please see us right away. We can quickly repair or restore your tooth so you don't experience additional damage, disease, or decay.
- Symptoms: Missing or broken fillings or crowns.
- Causes: Wear and tear or injury.
- At-Home Care: Avoid chewing on that side and dental wax over sharp edges.
- In-Office Treatment: Replacement or repair of restorations.
Oral Infections
Oral infections are very serious, as they can enter the bloodstream and cause numerous health-threatening conditions. If you suspect you have an infection, or perhaps you noticed a dental abscess, please call us immediately.
- Symptoms: Severe pain, swelling, fever.
- Causes: Untreated decay, gum disease.
- At-Home Care: Use saltwater rinses and avoid irritating the area.
- In-Office Treatment: Antibiotics, drainage, root canal, or extraction.
The Importance of Prompt Care
Delaying treatment for dental emergencies can escalate the risk of further complications, leading to more extensive and expensive treatments. Receiving urgent dental care is not only about alleviating immediate pain but also about preventing long-term oral health issues.
Contact Your Emergency Dentist in Lincoln, NE
As your emergency dentists, we are equipped and experienced in handling urgent oral health concerns with comfort, speed, and accuracy. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please try to remain calm and contact our 40th St or Normal Blvd locations. The sooner we see you, the sooner we can relieve your pain and treat your problem.