Are You Experiencing a Dental Emergency?
In general, if you are experiencing severe pain, bleeding that won’t stop, or have suffered trauma to the face or mouth, you need immediate care. Ignoring these signs can lead to more complex dental problems down the road, including serious infections that can spread to other parts of the body.
Common Scenarios Requiring Urgent Care
Dental emergencies come in many forms. While some are obvious, others may start as a dull ache and rapidly escalate. At Contemporary Dentistry, we are equipped to handle a wide range of urgent situations.
Here are some of the most common reasons patients seek out our emergency care:
- Severe Tooth Pain: Unrelenting pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. This could indicate an abscess or deep decay reaching the nerve.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Time is of the essence here. If treated within the hour, there is a chance the tooth can be saved.
- Cracked or Chipped Tooth: A cracked tooth can expose the sensitive inner layers of the tooth to bacteria, leading to infection and extreme sensitivity.
- Lost Fillings or Crowns: This exposes the vulnerable tooth structure beneath, causing pain and structural instability.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Lacerations to the tongue, cheeks, lips, or gums can be painful and may require sutures.
- Dental Abscess: A pimple-like bump on the gum usually signals a severe infection that requires immediate professional intervention.
The Dentist vs. The Emergency Room
When panic strikes, many people’s first instinct is to rush to the local hospital. However, unless you have a life-threatening condition (such as a fractured jaw or swelling that is blocking your airway), the emergency room is usually not the best place for tooth-related issues.
Most hospitals are not equipped to provide specific dental services. They can offer antibiotics or painkillers to manage symptoms temporarily, but they generally cannot fix the root cause of the problem.
They cannot, however, perform an emergency root canal, re-implantation of a tooth, or crown repair.
By choosing a Henrietta dentist dedicated to emergency care, such as Contemporary Dentistry, you make sure you receive restorative treatment rather than a temporary fix. We have the specialized imaging technology and instruments required to actually diagnose and treat the issue on the spot.
Immediate Steps to Take Before Your Appointment
While you wait to be seen at our office near Henrietta, there are steps you can take to manage the situation and improve the outcome of your treatment. Staying calm and taking the right actions can make a significant difference.
Consider these actionable first-aid tips:
- For a Knocked-Out Tooth: Pick it up by the crown (the top part), never the root. Rinse it gently with water if dirty, but do not scrub. Try to place it back in the socket; if that fails, keep it moist in a container of milk or your own saliva.
- For Toothaches: Rinse your mouth with warm water and gently floss around the tooth to so no food debris is causing the pressure. You may take over-the-counter pain relievers, but do not place aspirin directly on the gums, as this can cause chemical burns.
- For Swelling: Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in 10-minute intervals to reduce inflammation and numb the area.
- For Bleeding: Apply gentle, continuous pressure with a clean piece of gauze or a tea bag for 15 to 20 minutes.
Why Trust Contemporary Dentistry with Your Emergency
At Contemporary Dentistry, we believe true dental care means treating the whole person, not just the symptom. We approach every dental emergency with a holistic mindset, understanding that your oral health is deeply connected to your overall physical well-being.
Our Henrietta-area office utilizes state-of-the-art, minimally invasive technology to diagnose issues quickly while prioritizing your long-term health. We explain exactly how our dental services support your total wellness, so you are never left in the dark about your treatment.
Recognizing that stress hinders healing, our team focuses on your emotional comfort to reduce anxiety during urgent situations. By combining advanced clinical skills with this compassionate, whole-body perspective, we restore both your smile and your peace of mind.
Don’t Wait—Contact Us Now
If you are looking for an emergency dentist near Henrietta, NY, look no further than Contemporary Dentistry. We are here to turn your dental crisis into a manageable situation with a successful outcome. We are dedicated to getting you out of pain and back to your life as quickly as possible.
Please do not suffer in silence. If you suspect you have a dental emergency, contact our office immediately. We prioritize emergency cases and will do everything in our power to see you the same day. Your smile is our priority, and we are ready to provide the compassionate, expert care you deserve.
