Emergency dentist in Weston, FL

What counts as a dental emergency?

If you are in pain, bleeding, or something happened to a tooth, it is worth a call. Common dental emergencies we see at our Weston office include:

• Severe or constant toothache
• A tooth that was knocked out or pushed out of place
• A cracked, chipped or broken tooth, especially if it hurts
• Swelling in your face or gums, or a painful pimple-like bump on the gum
• A lost crown or filling
• Bleeding in the mouth that will not stop
• Pain when you bite down
• Something stuck between your teeth that floss will not remove

What to do right now

While you wait for your visit, these steps can ease pain and protect the tooth:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
• Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek for about 20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
• Choose your pain reliever carefully. Aspirin and ibuprofen can increase bleeding, so our team recommends acetaminophen, taken as directed on the label.
• Do not chew on the painful side until we have seen the tooth.

If a tooth is knocked out

A knocked-out tooth has the best chance of being saved when a dentist sees it and puts it back within about an hour. Act quickly:

1. Pick it up by the crown

   Hold the white chewing part. Do not touch the root.

2. Rinse gently

   If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with water. Do not scrub it or remove any tissue attached to it.

3. Try to put it back

   Place it back in the socket facing the right way and hold it there gently. Never force it.

4. Keep it moist if it will not go back

   Put it in a small container of milk, or hold it between your cheek and gum. A tooth-preservation product with the ADA Seal also works.

5. Come straight to our office

   Call (954) 659-9669 on your way so we are ready for you.

Chipped, cracked or broken tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water. If there is bleeding, press a piece of gauze on the area for about 10 minutes or until it stops, and use a cold compress on your cheek or lip to keep swelling down. Then call us to be seen as soon as possible.

Pain when you bite can be a sign of a cracked tooth. Avoid chewing on that side: the next bite could spread the crack. Treating a crack early, often with a crown, lowers the chance of needing a root canal or losing the tooth. Sometimes bite pain comes from the jaw muscles instead, often from grinding at night, and we can check for that too.

Lost crown or filling

Call us for an appointment and bring the crown with you. If the tooth is sensitive before you can get here:

• Dab a little clove oil on the sensitive area with a cotton swab.
• You can slip the crown back on temporarily after coating the inside with over-the-counter dental cement, toothpaste or denture adhesive.
• Never use super glue.

Abscess, swelling and bleeding

An abscess is an infection at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and gum. It is serious: it can damage the surrounding teeth and tissue, and the infection can spread to other parts of the body if it is not treated. If you notice a painful, pimple-like swelling on your gum, call us as soon as possible. Until your visit, rinsing several times a day with mild salt water (half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of water) can ease the pain.

Bleeding from the mouth is not normal. Apply gentle pressure with gauze and keep your head raised, even while sleeping. Gums that bleed when you floss are often a sign of gum disease, which we can treat with a deep cleaning.

Something stuck between your teeth? Try to remove it gently with floss. Never use a pin or anything sharp: it can cut your gums or scratch the tooth.

From our blog

• 10 Signs You Need to See a Dentist
• What are emergency dental services
• 11 Home Remedies for Toothache: Fast Relief You Can Try Today
• What Should I Do If I Suddenly Experience Severe Tooth Pain?
• When Your Toothache Persists but Your Dentist Finds Nothing Wrong