Emergency Dentist – Oklahoma City, OK 

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? While any dental pain should be looked at by a dentist right away, most toothaches aren’t a cause for serious concern. However, a toothache qualifies as a dental emergency that needs immediate attention if:

• It’s severe and/or lasts more than 24 hours
• A small bump has formed on the gums near the painful tooth
• There’s a sharp pain when biting down or opening your mouth wide
• The painful tooth is dark or discolored
• There are signs of a serious infection, such as swelling, fever, or fatigue

How you should handle a toothache: If you have a toothache, try flossing around the tooth and rinsing your mouth out with water. If that doesn’t help, give us a call right away, then try applying an ice pack to the outside of your mouth and rinsing with salt water. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers like Ibuprofen as directed, but remember, pain relievers are only a temporary solution until you can come see us for treatment.

How we treat toothaches: Since there are many issues that could potentially be causing your toothache, we’ll need to evaluate you to determine the best treatment for you. Some toothaches may be addressed with a filling or antibiotics, while others may need root canal therapy, an extraction, or periodontal therapy. We’ll fully explain your situation during your emergency exam and all your treatment options.

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?  Like a cracked tooth, a chipped tooth may qualify as an emergency if the damage is severe, but minor to moderate chips in the teeth can typically wait a few days for treatment if needed. Keep in mind that a chipped tooth is vulnerable to further damage and could lead to tooth sensitivity, so it should be treated right away.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: After you’ve given our office a call, rinse your mouth out to wash out any leftover fragments of your tooth and keep the area clean. Be careful not to bite or chew with the damaged tooth. If the chipped tooth is sensitive, you can cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum.

How we treat chipped teeth: While chipped teeth are certainly alarming, they are typically very easy to treat. In many cases, we will simply use dental bonding to fill in the damaged area and polish it until it looks like a natural part of your tooth. If you’ve chipped a front tooth, you may want to consider a veneer for optimal aesthetics.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Cracked teeth need to be treated right away to prevent further damage and prevent infection. However, the urgency of your cracked tooth will depend on its severity. Major damage will need to be treated as soon as possible, while a small crack can wait to be addressed for a few days. Remember, cracks are not always visible. If you experience tooth sensitivity or pain sometime after taking a blow to the face, you may have hidden damage.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Until you can reach our office, it’s important to keep your mouth clean and your tooth safe. Rinse with water regularly to clear away bacteria and avoid chewing on the injured side of your mouth.

How we treat cracked teeth: If the crack in your tooth is small, we may be able to repair it with dental bonding. For a broken tooth, we will likely need to place a dental crown to restore its appearance and function. However, if the tooth is damage beyond repair, it may need to be extracted and replaced with a dental bridge or implant.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Tooth sensitivity can occur when consuming very hot or cold substances, but it’s especially concerning when it stays for long periods of time or lingers. This is a sign that the outer layers of your enamel have become damaged, exposing the deeper, thinner layers of the tooth. While there are many causes for this symptom, it should be considered a dental emergency if it’s severe, lasts for multiple days at a time, or only seems to affect one or two teeth.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Start by calling our office so we can examine your smile more closely and determine if any underlying conditions are present, such as a cracked tooth or filling, deep cavity, gum recession or disease, or tooth abscess or infection. Stick to lukewarm water for now. Keep your mouth clean, and avoid foods that are spicy, acidic, or sweet. Take painkillers as needed.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: Our treatment recommendation will depend on the cause, but we may also recommend changing your toothpaste, using a prescription mouthwash, or receiving a topical fluoride treatment. If more significant dental problems are causing it, we may recommend antibiotics, fillings, crowns, gum disease treatment, or root canal therapy.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? When a tooth has been knocked out, it is imperative that you call our office immediately. The longer you wait, the less likely we’ll be able to replant the tooth back into your open socket. In fact, your chances greatly diminish about an hour after the tooth was knocked out. We’ll do everything we can to get you treated the same day that you call.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Do your best to find the tooth and pick it up by the crown (top) portion only. Do not touch the root or remove any tissue that’s still attached. Gently rinse it with cool water to wash off any dirt or debris, then place it back into your open socket for preservation. If this is not possible, keep it in a container of milk, not water. Water can actually damage the cells on the tooth’s root, making it more difficult to replant.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: When the tooth has not been badly damaged and you get to our office in time, we may be able to replant it. This way, it can effectively reintegrate with the bone and soft tissue. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will need to go over your options for replacing the tooth, such as bridges, dentures, or dental implants.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? It’s important to note that dental restorations, whether they be fillings or crowns, are not meant to last forever. That means some older ones can break and fall off, exposing your tooth. While it’s not really an urgent issue, especially if it doesn’t cause pain, you should still call us so you can get a replacement. Your tooth is exposed to oral bacteria, putting it at higher risk for infection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Do your best to locate the filling or crown and bring it to our office. If a filling was lost, you can use temporary filling material to cover the tooth. A dental crown can be reseated with dental cement as well. Neither of these solutions should replace a dental visit, however.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: Dental fillings generally need to be replaced outright, but dental crowns could be reseated by our office if they are mostly undamaged. If they are too damaged, we will need to replace it entirely.

Broken Dentures

Is my broken denture a dental emergency? If you are dealing with a broken denture, yes, this is considered a dental emergency. Depending on the severity of the break, you’ll need to avoid wearing your prosthetic, as it might harm your soft oral tissues or experience even more damage than it had originally.

How you should handle a broken denture: A broken denture in Oklahoma City should be closely examined before calling our office to schedule an appointment. This will give us a better idea of how severe the problem is. We’ll provide helpful tips you can use at home while waiting for your appointment. While it is possible to purchase a denture repair kit, you’re better off avoiding this if at all possible simply because you could further damage your smile if you’re unfamiliar with how to use it correctly.

How we treat broken dentures: It is possible to treat a broken denture with the right techniques and materials if the break or damage is only minor. However, if your prosthetic is beyond savable, we’ll need to discuss your options for replacing it. While you can opt for another denture to be created, you can also inquire about dental implants and their extended longevity.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? The only time a tooth should ever be loose is if you are a child and preparing for a baby tooth to fall out and be replaced with a permanent adult tooth. If one of your permanent teeth is loose, it’s important that you get in to see us right away because this is designated as a true dental emergency.

How you should handle loose permanent teeth: When it comes to treating a loose tooth in Oklahoma City, you’ll need to call our office to schedule an appointment. You’ll then need to avoid touching it, as this can cause more damage. It is advised that you do not chew on that side of your mouth or consume anything hard or sticky in texture.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: Dr. Hermen will first examine the tooth and determine if it is savable. If so, he will attempt to support and reattach it so that reintegration can occur. However, since gum disease is often the most common cause of loose teeth, it will be necessary to provide periodontal therapy to treat the infected area first. If the tooth cannot be saved, we will need to extract it and possibly perform a bone graft to strengthen this area before receiving a replacement (i.e., dental implant, dental bridge, or denture).

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Although soft tissue injuries are not technically viewed as dental emergencies, you are encouraged to contact your emergency dentist in Oklahoma City. Even if the pain is not currently present, it is far better to get in to see Dr. Hermen for treatment than let this potentially worsen over time.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: At home, you are advised to cleanse the area with warm water before applying a soft, clean gauze for 10 minutes. If you notice the bleeding does not cease, you will need to get to your local emergency room for immediate treatment. A cold compress and an over-the-counter pain reliever can also help to alleviate symptoms of swelling and discomfort.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: When meeting with Dr. Hermen, he will look at the area and determine if it should be stitched up. He will also go over the benefits of wearing a customized mouthguard, especially if athletics or repeated stress that causes teeth grinding occurs. By having a custom oral appliance created for your smile, you can minimize your risk while on the field and asleep.

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? The general rule of thumb is if you are in pain, consider it a dental emergency and get in to see your dentist right away. If jaw pain is the problem, don’t wait to see if it will heal itself on its own. It is unlikely to do so. It is much better to come see us and let us help you pinpoint the cause of your chronic jaw pain.

How you should handle jaw pain: When calling to alert us to your situation, you can count on Dr. Hermen’s team to provide helpful tips on ways to curb your discomfort at home. From facial massages to changing your eating and lifestyle habits, these tips can help to minimize your pain and help you to feel more comfortable until we can provide more permanent assistance.

How we treat jaw pain: It’s important that we identify the cause of your jaw pain. Is it temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)? Is it teeth grinding (bruxism)? Is it a facial injury that hurts far more than you imagined? No matter the reason, we can recommend a few different options:

• Mouthguards to take the stress off any jaw joints or facial muscles
• TMJ Therapy to address disorders that cause the TMJ joints to become inflamed and work ineffectively
• Wisdom teeth extraction, as impaction can begin to negatively affect your healthy teeth and areas surrounding your jaw, face, neck, shoulders, and head

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Dental floss and/or a water irrigator are the two most effective ways to dislodge an object from between your teeth. Because it is easy for a piece of food or small particle to get stuck, it’s best to reach for products you are familiar with and will not harm your smile in any way. Tweezers, needles, and anything with a sharp edge will only push the object further up into your gums, making it harder to dislodge.