Emergency Dentist in TACOMA
Did you know…
![mouth icon](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60887f7a44ae721abcfc0051/60887f7a44ae72609dfc0117_Asset%2011.png)
Over five million teeth are lost by both kids and adults every year!
What to do in a dental emergency in Tacoma
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Remain Calm
It’s important to stay calm even though your unexpected dental injury may cause extreme stress and pain. While you may feel inclined to panic, know that almost any dental issue can be addressed, treated, and resolved by a dentist. Rest assured that Rainier Smiles Dentistry is here to guide you back to a healthy smile.
![tooth icon](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60887f7a44ae721abcfc0051/60887f7a44ae720337fc00cb_Asset%206.png)
Reduce Bleeding
If your mouth is bleeding from your dental injury or accident, place a strip of gauze on the afflicted area and apply pressure. This should slow the blood flow within an hour.
![tooth icon](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5e7004f83e47f9caa28b54f2/5ec3ffa27682da323d3393f2_Asset%2011.png)
Control Swelling & Pain
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other similar over-the-counter medication can temporarily reduce pain and swelling. Steer clear of any blood-thinning aspirins as they will prevent clotting and may make it difficult to control the flow of blood. An ice pack to the cheek near the affected area can also help reduce pain for a short period of time.
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Call Us Right Away
As soon as you’ve regained control of your dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our team is on standby to assess the severity of your dental injury and get you in our Tacoma office as soon as possible.
The importance of prompt emergency care
Same-Day Dental Care
Same-day appointments allow you to receive treatment on the day you call to request emergency care. At your same-day visit, your Tacoma dentist will address your dental injury and craft an immediate plan to get you back to optimal health as soon as possible. By avoiding an appointment to treat your dental emergency, you prolongate your pain and put yourself at risk for more serious dental complications down the road. Rainier Smiles Dentistry provides same-day emergency dentistry so that you get the care that can’t wait.
After Hours Appointments
Sometimes, dental injuries and accidents take place past regular business hours. For patients experiencing severe emergencies in Tacoma, we offer after-hours appointments to make sure you receive the immediate care you deserve. If you are experiencing a dental emergency beyond our usual hours, don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule a visit. We’re more than happy to help alleviate your pain and restore your smile as soon as possible.
Weekend Appointments
If a dental emergency strikes over the weekend, there’s no need to wait until Monday for care. By offering limited weekend hours and appointments by request, you can receive prompt emergency dental care and get relief from your pain and discomfort. Call Rainier Smiles Dentistry for more information.
Common Emergency Procedures
To restore the health and functionality of your mouth, Dr. Hong will address the emergency situation and recommend a variety of treatments. For example, broken, damaged, or decayed teeth can be fixed with dental crowns. If an underlying infection is causing you to experience a severe or chronic toothache, root canal therapy may be the best option for you.
Another common restorative procedure is tooth splinting, which stabilizes a loose or knocked-out tooth to allow for proper healing. Tooth extractions are a rare but occasionally necessary procedure to remove severely damaged teeth that cannot be fixed otherwise.
Did you know…
![dental implant icon](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60887f7a44ae721abcfc0051/60887f7a44ae720901fc0119_Asset%2025.png)
Knocked out a tooth? Place it in cold milk to preserve the root while you head to your emergency appointment.
Have questions about emergency dentistry? Find answers here.
What should I do if I’ve knocked out a tooth?
First, remain calm. Recover your tooth by grabbing it by the top (the crown) instead of the bottom (the root) to prevent further damage. Then, rinse the tooth with warm water. Once it is clean, replace the tooth back in its socket. Alternatively, you can place the tooth in cold milk to ensure proper moisture before you stop by for an emergency dental appointment in Tacoma.
If you are facing an extremely serious dental emergency, call Rainier Smiles Dentistry immediately. It is in your best interest to avoid spending too much time alleviating pain. Your tooth has a 1-2 hour window to be saved, replaced, and splinted by Dr. Hong. Give us a call right away for guidance, then stop by our office in Tacoma to get the emergency care you need.
What should I do if my dental work has fallen out?
If you can, place your dental appliance in a container or plastic bag and bring it to your next dental visit. To ensure we can treat the issue as soon as possible, give our office a call right away to schedule an emergency dental visit in Tacoma.
When your dental appliance comes off, your teeth and gums are exposed to bacteria. This can trigger an infection, further decay or damage, and cause further issues to form. A loose, broken, or missing dental appliance is a serious issue that warrants a same-day appointment, so contact our team right away to schedule a visit. It’s our mission to restore your smile with a new filling, crown, or other restorative dental work so you can smile with confidence again.
What should I do about a severe toothache?
You may have a tooth infection if you are suffering from a severe toothache that lasts 1-2 days or longer. This constitutes as a serious dental emergency, and root canal therapy may be necessary to restore and revitalize your tooth.
Call our office immediately to book your appointment. Make sure to apply an ice pack, take over-the-counter pain relievers, or apply Orajel or a similar topical product to numb and soothe the pain before visiting our office.
What should I do about a chipped, broken, or cracked tooth?
Even if you think the dental damage is minor, give us a call to see if your situation qualifies for a same-day emergency appointment. Dr. Hong will conduct an exam to determine the severity of the chip, break, or crack on your tooth. If a broken or cracked tooth is left untreated, infections can arise and cause further complications. Make sure to give us a call and visit our Tacoma office as soon as possible for a thorough examination. Dr. Hong will offer their best recommendations to repair and protect your smile.
What should I do about a loose tooth?
Call our office immediately for a same-day appointment if an incident has caused your tooth to loosen. It’s important to receive proper care right away, as the nerves supporting your tooth could die and cause the tooth to fall out entirely. Our team is on standby to get you the emergency care you need, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Once your visit is booked, do your best to keep the tooth as stable as possible. Touching the loose tooth with your tongue or fingers can cause further damage and accelerate an infection. At your emergency dental appointment in Tacoma, Dr. Hong will apply a stabilizing split to attach the loose tooth to the adjacent teeth. The split will provide support and allow the tooth to heal and reattach to your gums.
Did you know…
![tooth icon](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60887f7a44ae721abcfc0051/60887f7a44ae725e01fc00bc_Did%20you%20know%201.png)
If left untreated, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body and cause further dental issues down the road.