What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies happen unexpectedly and can have painful consequences if not treated by a health professional as soon as possible. As with any medical emergency, it is essential to remain calm. It’s also best to be prepared by knowing what to do if you experience a dental emergency!

How to Recognize a Dental Emergency

Consider it a dental emergency if you have intense oral pain and bleeding, experience complications related to oral surgery, have a dental crown become loose, or get a tooth chipped, broken, or knocked out. But even if you have doubts about the severity of your condition, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team at True Dental!

How to Prepare for a Dental Emergency

Make sure to always keep our office’s information handy in case of an emergency. Not all dental practices offer emergency dentistry, but we offer prompt emergency care here at True Dental for patients of all ages so that you can quickly regain full function of your smile.

Dentists — Drs. Jai & Julie Shin at True Dental

Phone — (443) 438-1054

Address — 1257 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD 21113

Office Hours — MWTh: 7am – 7pm; Tuesday: 7am – 1pm; Friday: 8am – 1pm; Saturday: by appointment

How to Act in a Dental Emergency

• Call us as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of the aforementioned unusual dental symptoms.
• If you have intense pain and swelling, try to ice your cheeks for ten minutes at a time until you feel some relief. Doing a salt water rinse can also help flush out any bacteria if you have an infection.

• If you’ve knocked out a tooth, reach for the milk to keep it moist! You read that right: if you can preserve a lost tooth in a glass of milk, Drs. Jai and Julie Shin may be able to reattach it if you get to our office in time! If you don’t have access to milk, holding it between your gums and cheek or in a glass of water or saliva works OK too. Do not freak out, handle it by the root, wash it with soap, or rub it with a cloth. If it’s dirty, hold it by the chewing surface and rinse it with milk or water.

How to Prevent a Dental Emergency

• After restorative dentistry treatments and oral surgery, closely follow the prescribed post-care instructions.
• Visit our office every six months and daily brush and floss your teeth to keep your mouth healthy. Proper preventive care will decrease your risk of developing gum disease and tartar buildup, which can lead to oral complications like bleeding, pain, and swelling.
• When playing contact sports, always wear a mouthguard to prevent damage to your teeth. Ask us about a custom-fitted mouthguard for you or your child athlete!

Remember That We Are Here for You in an Emergency

You can worry less about potential dental emergencies since you know you’ll be able to receive the care you need here at True Dental. If you are new to our dental family, utilize our $30 emergency exam and X-ray special, found on our homepage. Contact our office and we will accommodate you as soon as possible.

Contact Us ASAP!