Emergency dentistry is an important part of our dental office. Sometimes, people have urgent dental needs that require immediate attention. Sometimes you need immediate dental care to prevent further complications and more serious issues. Horizon Family Dental Care provides emergency dentistry services in Baltimore, MD, for patients experiencing unexpected dental issues.

The Importance of Urgent Dental Care

Getting fast dental care during an emergency is important for your health. Quick treatment can stop infections from spreading and help relieve pain and discomfort. Many of our patients are grateful for the prompt care we provide when they need it most. Our patients appreciate the timely intervention that we provide to address their concerns.

We offer emergency dentistry treatments in our Baltimore dentist office for better overall health outcomes. By preventing complications, emergency care save patients from more invasive procedures later. We can help maintain better oral health through quick action.

Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can vary greatly in nature and severity. Knowing what to do when you have a dental emergency can help you feel better prepared. Our Baltimore emergency dentist wants you to stay calm and get the care you need.

Toothaches

A toothache can be a sign of tooth decay or infection, and it’s often very painful. In some cases, a toothache means you have an abscess, a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. If not treated promptly, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious health problems.

If you have a severe toothache, call us as soon as possible. Early treatment can stop the pain, save your tooth, and protect your health. At home, you can take pain medication as prescribed and use a cold compress if you experience swelling. Based on the cause of your tooth pain, we can provide a tooth extraction or root canal to treat the cause of your tooth discomfort.

Chipped or Broken Teeth

Chipped or broken teeth from accidents can be dental emergencies because they can cause severe pain and lead to further complications. When a tooth is damaged, the sensitive inner layers may be exposed, leading to nerve damage or infection. Sharp edges from a broken tooth can also cut the tongue, cheeks, or gums, causing bleeding and discomfort.

If you have broken a large section of your tooth off, gently rinse it in cool water and place it in a cup of saliva. We may be able to recement the piece to your tooth. If this doesn’t work, we may recommend a dental crown to fully cover and protect your tooth.

Knocked-out teeth

When you lose a tooth, you have a limited amount of time to try to save it. The connective tissues and blood vessels are damaged within the tooth, and the tooth’s root can dry out quickly.

As soon as you lose a tooth, try to locate it and hold it by the top, or crown. Avoid touching the tooth roots. Then, gently rinse debris from the tooth. You can try to place your tooth back in its socket by biting down gently. You can bring your tooth to us in a cup of saliva if this doesn’t work.

If you get to our office promptly, we can try to put the tooth back in the socket and stabilize it with a splint. This increases the likelihood of successful reattachment and reduces the need for restorative dentistry work, such as dental implants.

Lost fillings or crowns

Lost dental fillings or dental crowns can be dental emergencies because they expose the inner layers of the tooth. When the inner layers are exposed, the tooth becomes more vulnerable to infection and further damage. When a filling or crown comes loose, the tooth may become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures or pressure, causing pain and discomfort. The exposed tooth structure can be more susceptible to decay or fracture.

Try to find the filling or crown if it came out in one piece, and keep it in a safe place. Then, gently rinse your mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and call our dentist as soon as possible

Dental Abscesses

A dental abscess is a serious infection in your mouth that needs immediate care from a dentist. An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by bacteria. It usually forms at the root of a tooth or in the gums and can cause significant pain and swelling.

Sometimes, an abscess may burst, and the pain may subside for a short time. But this doesn’t mean the problem is gone. A burst tooth abscess can spread the infection throughout the body.

Call us if you experience symptoms like swollen gums, pus, or fever. Our dentist can drain the abscess, reduce your pain, and stop the infection from spreading.

How to Reduce the Risk of Dental Emergencies

At Horizon Family Dental Care, our dentists want you to protect your teeth and gums. While most dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, you can take simple steps to lower your risk. You can reduce your chance of a dental emergency if you:

• Wear a Sports Mouthguard: You need to wear a custom mouthguard if you play contact sports like lacrosse, hockey, or basketball. A custom sports mouthguard fits your teeth perfectly and helps protect them from getting chipped, cracked, or knocked out during a game. It also cushions your jaw and can reduce the risk of serious injuries.
• Don’t Use Teeth to Open Things: It may seem quick and easy to use your teeth to open packages, tear off tags, or uncap bottles, but this can seriously damage your teeth. Using your teeth as tools can cause tooth cracks and chips, or even lead to a filling or crown falling out. Always use scissors or the proper tool instead.
• Avoid Hard or Chewy Foods if You Wear Crowns: If you have dental crowns, avoid very hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy. These can crack or loosen your crown. Sticky foods, such as caramel or chewing gum, can pull the crown off. If you’re not sure whether a food is safe to eat with your dental work, it’s best to ask our dentist.

Call Us Today

Horizon Family Dental Care’s Baltimore dental office is prepared to handle all kinds of dental emergencies. We have the appropriate protocols in place to help our patients get the best care possible. If you need emergency dentistry treatment in Baltimore, MD, call 410-774-5167. You can schedule an appointment online if you don’t have an emergency but need dental care.