Savannah Emergency Dentistry

A dental emergency can be loosely defined as any dental situation that involves intense pain or trauma, such that it cannot wait for a regularly scheduled dental appointment. Emergency dentistry can help you feel better immediately, and can stop the damage before it begins to worsen.

What Are Some Common Dental Emergencies?

Dental emergencies run the gamut of causes, from blows to the head to abscesses caused by advanced tooth decay. Here are just a few common reasons to seek emergency dentistry:

• Toothache: A toothache is probably the most common reason to seek emergency dental care. Toothaches have many root causes, but can be exquisitely painful and nearly impossible to ignore.
• Knocked-out Tooth: Knocked-out teeth are an unfortunately common result of head trauma, from falls to sports injuries, and are especially common in children. Rinse the tooth, reinsert it or place it in a glass of milk, and seek emergency assistance within 30 minutes.
• Dental Abscess: A dental abscess is a highly painful infection that often appears as swelling of the gums, lymph nodes, and even face. Abscesses can be caused by trauma, but are most often the result of serious tooth decay.
• Broken Tooth: Teeth can break from decay or trauma. Breaks often occur when biting into hard food, such as a bagel, but can happen at any time. If possible, rinse and save the pieces, as your dentist might be able to cement a clean break together as a temporary solution.

What should I do if I crack a tooth?

If you crack a tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible. You will need an exam and possibly x-rays to determine the extent of the damage and the best treatment solution. If the crack is very shallow, affecting only the outer layer of enamel, you may not need treatment at all. For deeper cracks, though, we may need to place a filling or even a crown to protect the tooth.

If you are in pain or your tooth is sensitive to heat or cold, bite on a clean, damp cloth to reduce your symptoms. Do not use topical medications, which could worsen the damage.

Cracks that are not fixed in a timely manner generally worsen over time. If you ignore a cracked tooth, you might need a root canal or other endodontic procedure later on to save the tooth. Eventually, a cracked tooth may no longer be salvageable, and the only option could be extraction.

What is a tooth abscess?

A tooth abscess is a pocket of infection around the tooth’s root or supporting bone. Abscesses are typically caused by untreated gum disease or tooth decay, or by a severe crack that extends to the root. An abscess can cause extreme pain, swelling, and bleeding or weeping. Untreated, a tooth abscess can spread to other parts of the body or even cause a serious blood infection known as sepsis. Anyone, from babies to older adults, can get an abscess.

Fortunately, abscesses are easy to treat. Antibiotics and surgical draining can treat the immediate symptoms, but abscesses will continue to recur until the underlying problem is resolved. In many cases, a root canal can remove the source of infection and save the tooth. If the tooth cannot be saved, an extraction will take care of the abscess. Once the infection is gone, you can get a dental implant or other restoration to replace the tooth.

What Does Emergency Dentistry Do?

Emergency dentistry plays a very important role in overall dental care, but it is not a substitute for regular checkups and treatments. The goal of emergency dentistry is to relieve pain and keep the damage from worsening. For example, you might receive a tooth extraction, a temporary crown, or some other measure designed to alleviate the immediate issue.

However, you will then need to schedule a follow-up visit for a long-term solution such as a dental implant or a permanent crown. After treating the emergency, your dentist will explain your options for a permanent solution and let you know what the next step will be.

How Do I Know if I Need Emergency Dental Care?

Always err on the side of caution. If you feel like you need emergency dental care, seek it right away. Some issues, such as a knocked-out tooth, have only a brief window of time in which it is possible to save the tooth. Other issues, such as a dental abscess, tend to worsen quickly and can even cause systemic illnesses throughout your body.

Seek emergency treatment whenever you have sudden or severe pain, trauma, or other symptoms. In addition, if you sustain a mouth injury, it is a good idea to get checked out as soon as possible, even if you do not appear to have visible oral damage.

What Do I Do if a Tooth Falls Out?

A knocked out tooth is an emergency, and time is of the essence. Pick up the tooth by the chewing surfaces, avoiding the roots, and gently rinse it under cool running water. If possible, push the tooth back into place and bite down on gauze or a tea bag to hold it in place. Otherwise, submerge it in a glass of milk (never water). Bring the tooth immediately to our office during business hours, or to the nearest emergency dentist after hours. Reattachment is most successful within the first 30 minutes, though it is worth trying up to an hour after the injury.

Why Should I Choose Savannah Dental Solutions?

Married dentists Chad and Alexandra Schnabel welcome new patients to Savannah Dental Solutions. Our care for your entire family begins with making everyone feel comfortable during their visits. We recognize that parents, spouses, and other loved ones can sometimes be more anxious than the patient! Our compassionate approach works with everyone involved to ease fears and foster a relaxed environment.

We also strive to teach our patients the latest strategies for caring for their teeth on a daily basis. From small children to older adults, everyone has unique needs and challenges, and we work to customize our care for each person. We genuinely enjoy our patients, and look forward to seeing them year after year.

From caring children’s dentistry to high-tech cosmetic procedures and even full-mouth reconstruction, Savannah Dental Solutions blends the latest technology with traditional customer-oriented values. If you need emergency dental care, or are ready to start your journey to better oral health, we invite you to call us today at (912) 354-1366.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are we an emergency dentist in Savannah, GA?

Yes, Savannah Dental Solutions offers emergency dentistry services. If you are suffering from a toothache, swelling from an infection, or trauma, we can help by getting you treated right away – and helping you find relief. 

Can urgent care pull a tooth? 

No. Facilities that offer emergency medical services, such as urgent care centers and emergency rooms, are not permitted to perform dental treatment, including pulling a tooth. The most they can offer is medication, such as antibiotics for an infection or something for pain relief. 

If you are in need of urgent dental treatment, Savannah Dental Solutions offers emergency dentistry services. Give us a call at (912) 354-1366.

Will an emergency dentist do a root canal?

Yes, if it is needed. The point of emergency dentistry is to offer relief and stop the spread of infection. This is exactly what a root canal will do. 

Can a dentist pull an infected tooth?

Yes, a dentist can pull an infected tooth. Every measure possible will be taken in order to save the natural tooth. However, if it is beyond repair, the dentist will be able to remove the infected tooth – and then treat the area to kill off any remaining infection. 

How can I find emergency tooth extraction near me?

If you need an emergency tooth extraction, you will want to find a dentist that offers emergency dentistry in Savannah, Georgia. Because you will have access to a dentist when you need one, you may be able to save your tooth – and avoid extraction altogether.