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When faced with a lost filling or a knocked-out tooth, you may be uncertain about the urgency of seeking dental care. In a dental emergency, the tooth's well-being is usually at risk. At Southbridge Dental Care, we offer emergency dental services and guide our patients on recognizing when immediate attention is necessary for a dental problem.
1. Tooth Loss
Accidents can result in tooth loss, but acting swiftly can often save the tooth. Typically, you have only a short window of about an hour or two to attempt to save the tooth. After stopping any bleeding, carefully try to reinsert the tooth. If dirty, rinse it with milk or water, avoiding contact with the root. Place gauze between the upper and lower teeth with the tooth in place and bite down on the gauze. If reinsertion is unsuccessful, store the tooth in milk or saline solution and visit our office promptly. If not available, keep the tooth moist in your mouth between your gums and cheek. Even if the tooth is reinserted, it is important to visit our office as soon as possible.
2. Broken Tooth
A broken tooth can occur due to various reasons like biting down on something hard, falling, or being hit in the face. Even a minor break can lead to pain and further damage. We advise patients with a broken tooth to seek emergency dental care. Our dentist will typically repair the tooth using bonding, a veneer, or a crown. We will discuss the options and help determine the most suitable solution based on your needs and budget.
3. Lost Filling
Decay beneath a filling can alter the cavity's shape, causing the filling to no longer fit correctly and potentially fall out when biting on hard substances. Without the filling, decay can progress, resulting in tooth pain or sensitivity. We recommend taking a lost filling seriously and promptly seeking our emergency dental services. Our approach will involve refilling the tooth, possibly using a different material, to save the tooth and alleviate discomfort.
4. Severe Pain
If you are experiencing intense dental pain, it is advisable to seek immediate assistance from an emergency dentist in Southbridge. There is no need to endure the pain when emergency dental care can address potential issues, which might be related to an infection or another serious condition.
5. Uncontrollable Bleeding
While bleeding gums can be a symptom of gum disease, the bleeding typically stops shortly after onset. However, if bleeding persists despite applying pressure for at least 15 minutes, emergency dental care may be required. The bleeding could be due to a deep laceration.
Emergency Care in Southbridge, MA
If you are experiencing any of these dental emergencies or another critical issue, we recommend utilizing our emergency dental services. Emergencies are already stressful, so we offer various payment options to help make covering your emergency more manageable.
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