If you are experiencing a dental emergency and it is during regular office hours, contact us at 904-733-4200. If your emergency is taking place after office hours, please call our office answering machine for more information.
We understand that dental emergency situations do arise, and can happen anytime. Alexander Dentistry strives to respond as quickly as possible. Our dentist in Jacksonville, FL reserves special times throughout the day to treat patients with emergency dental needs. Please call our office as early in the day as possible so that we can best accommodate your dental emergency.
It is important that you do not ignore a dental emergency to avoid permanent damage. Common dental emergencies are persistent toothache, pain in the teeth, jaw or gums, broken teeth, knocked out teeth, broken fillings, and swelling in the gums or mouth.
What To Do In A Dental Emergency
Don’t panic! In the case of a dental emergency, it is important to stay calm and have a plan. Did you know that tooth enamel is considered the hardest mineral substance in your body? When a tooth experiences trauma to enamel, there is little you can do without an emergency dentist. Here are a few tips to help you deal with unforeseen accidents.
Knocked out tooth
If you have a knocked-out tooth, contact our office immediately. Retrieve the tooth, if possible, holding it by the crown (the top part of the tooth that is usually exposed in the mouth). Gently rinse the root in water if it is dirty, but do not scrub or remove attached tissue fragments. Store the tooth in a small container with your own saliva or milk. Knocked-out teeth have the highest survival rate if they return to the socket within one hour of being knocked out.
Lost or Broken Filling or Crown
If you have a lost or broken filling or a tooth crown, contact us as soon as possible. Do not use temporary measures such as glue to replace the filling or crown. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease discomfort. Avoid using the affected tooth. It is best to avoid eating very hard, cold, and hot foods to prevent infection and more pain.
Toothache
If you have a toothache, contact us as soon as possible. You may try rinsing your mouth with warm water or flossing to remove any lodged food. If you have swelling, a cold compress applied to the outside of the mouth or cheek may alleviate discomfort and reduce swelling. Do not put painkillers directly against the gums or aching tooth as they may damage the gum tissue.
Abscess
If you suspect you have an abscess, contact our office immediately. An abscess is a potentially serious condition that can worsen with time and spread the infection to the rest of your body if left untreated. To ease discomfort, try rinsing with a mild saltwater solution. Do not attempt to open or drain the abscess.
Schedule a Dental Exam
If you have recently experienced tooth trauma, but have been avoiding visiting the dentist, you may be at risk for more dental issues. Unaddressed tooth damage can open up many more dental issues if left untreated. Schedule a visit to Alexander Dentistry today. We are a judgment-free dentist office in Jacksonville, Florida. Give us a call at 904.901.4302 for more information.