Dental Emergencies in Rockefeller Plaza

Dental problems are some of the most challenging types of health emergencies that you might ever have to deal with. Having a tooth get knocked out can leave you feeling extreme distress about your smile, and dental emergencies can also be extremely painful. Abscessed teeth are especially known for causing pain that can keep you up all night, and you could also experience a dental emergency that occurs with little to no warning, such as having a tooth break after a blow to the mouth.

Our compassionate staff at Richard L. Rausch, DDS understand how upsetting dental emergencies can be, which is why we want to share with you how to tell when one is occurring, along with how to apply first aid and get into the dentist for a same-day appointment.

How Is a Dental Emergency Defined?

Usually, dental emergencies cause serious symptoms that make it clear that you need urgent care. However, it’s not always easy to define what an emergency is, since people tend to have varying levels of pain tolerance. Naturally, a knocked out tooth is a dental emergency, since time is of the essence for being able to save your natural tooth. If the tooth dries out or the root starts to die, then you may be faced with exploring other tooth replacement options.

Some chipped teeth aren’t emergencies, especially if they don’t cause pain and are limited to the surface enamel. For these types of chips, you can usually wait a few days for a regular appointment. However, a major fracture that goes through the deeper layers of your tooth could qualify as an emergency. Major tooth breaks can damage the pulp in your tooth, which leaves you vulnerable to experiencing severe pain or an infection.

Trauma to your mouth can also signify a dental emergency. Broken braces can cut into your gums or cheeks, and a same-day appointment can fix the problem right away. You could also experience an abscessed tooth or severe toothache that requires emergency care. Our dentist recommends calling our office anytime you are experiencing new or worsening dental symptoms, so that we can help you determine if you need to come in that day for treatment.

Which Dental Emergency Symptoms Require Calling 911?

As with most health issues, you’ll want to call 911 at the first sign of life-threatening symptoms. Severe or prolonged bleeding, difficulty breathing, and problems swallowing are all symptoms that should be addressed by an emergency responder. If necessary, you can also go to an emergency room to get your condition stabilized, which is important if you sustain an injury that includes a broken jaw or head trauma.

Once your condition stabilizes, you can then visit your dentist to continue your emergency care. For instance, you might need your dentist to repair a fractured tooth that occurred during a life-threatening blow to the head. If you ever aren’t sure if you should call 911, then there’s no harm in doing so. The operator that answers your call can ask you a few questions to help determine your best course of action. Whether you need to go to the ER or visit our office right away, we’re here to help you preserve your smile.

Take These Steps to Address a Dental Emergency in Rockefeller Plaza

It’s hard to practice first aid for certain types of dental emergencies like you would for other types of major health problems. But, understanding the steps to take if a dental emergency happens to you or someone that you love is also helpful. First, you’ll want to make sure to address any bleeding by holding sterile gauze or a clean cloth over the wound while applying direct pressure. You can also wash blood from your mouth by swishing with warm water, which can also help to dislodge any debris that could impact your condition.

The second type of dental emergency to know how to handle is a knocked out tooth. While it might seem like all is lost when a tooth falls out of its socket, your dentist may be able to save it. After rinsing the tooth off with warm water, you can gently try to put it back in its place in your mouth. If you or the injured person can’t keep it in the socket, then placing the tooth in a cup of saliva or milk is a good alternative solution. Just remember to avoid touching the tooth root. Handling the tooth by the crown helps to prevent further damage to the live portions of the tooth.

Get Immediate Care During a Same-Day Appointment

We care about making sure that no one has to wait for proper dental care, which is why we offer same-day appointments at Richard L. Rausch, DDS in Rockefeller Plaza. While some dental issues could wait for the next week, emergency situations often require you to come in immediately. At your same-day appointment, we can help stabilize a knocked out tooth and provide you with medication for abscesses and pain relief to help you begin feeling better fast.

When you have a dental emergency in Rockefeller Plaza, it also helps to know who to call. Having the information available to call a dentist for emergency care right away means that you won’t have to waste precious time trying to figure out how to get an appointment at Richard L. Rausch, DDS. Make sure to keep our contact information handy, or go ahead and call for an appointment with our family dentist in Rockefeller Plaza. If you’re experiencing symptoms from a dental emergency, then just say the word. We’ll work hard to get you in for a same-day appointment to jumpstart your recovery.