Emergency Dentistry – Spring House, PA

Toothaches  

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? If you’ve been dealing with a toothache for more than 24 hours, then the answer is “yes!” We also recommend scheduling an appointment with our Spring House emergency dentist if it hurts to bite down, there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, or the tooth that’s causing you pain is cracked or discolored.

How You Should Handle a Toothache First, call our team to share your symptoms and schedule an appointment. Until it’s time to head to our office, keep your mouth clean by periodically rinsing with warm saltwater. It’s also helpful to stick to soft foods, avoid hot beverages, and take an OTC pain reliever as directed.

How We Treat Toothaches Toothaches can be treated in several ways – from tooth-colored fillings to root canal treatment. Our recommendation will depend largely on the source of the pain and the severity of the oral health problem at hand. Whatever the case may be, you can trust that we will review all of your options in-depth and create a custom treatment plan to restore your pain-free smile.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Chipped Teeth  

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Sometimes. The best way to determine if you need to come in right away is by assessing the size of the chip and your symptoms. If the chip is substantial or you’re in pain, then a same-day appointment may be necessary.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth First, use some clean, room-temperature water to rinse your mouth thoroughly. Second, use some sugar-free gum to cover the sharp edge of your tooth. Third, schedule an appointment with our Spring House emergency dentist before the end of the week.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth The treatment we recommend will depend largely on the size of the chip and the location of the tooth. With that said, patients often choose veneers because they are completely customizable, incredibly lifelike, and can last for 15+ years with proper care.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VENEERS

Cracked Tooth  

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a cracked tooth is a dental emergency that warrants an immediate call to our dental team in Spring House. Once we know more about your unique situation – like the size of the crack and the symptoms you’re experiencing – we will schedule a time for you to come in for treatment.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth Cracked teeth can be quite painful, which is why it’s often helpful to take an OTC pain reliever first. It’s equally as important that you prevent bacteria from collecting around the tooth, which is why we recommend rinsing with warm saltwater periodically as well. Lastly, avoid foods that are crunchy, spicy, and acidic.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth Most of the time, cracked teeth can be restored with a dental crown. Unfortunately, there are some cases where the damage is so severe that the tooth needs to be extracted instead. In that case, we will use a dental bridge or implant to fill the new gap in your smile, restoring its look and function in the process.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Not always. A good way to tell if you should schedule an emergency appointment with us is by taking note of your symptoms. If there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, the sensitivity has persisted for more than 24 hours, or you’re experiencing pain when biting down, then you should call us right away.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth There are a few things you can do until your appointment with us, including sticking to lukewarm drinks and foods as well as taking an OTC pain reliever. However, to get the long-term relief you’re looking for, you need to visit our Spring House emergency dentist for treatment.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth Tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, and root canal treatment can all be solutions for sensitive teeth. There are even some cases where the sensitivity is the result of an infection in your gums. In that case, gum disease treatment is in order.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and there’s no time to waste since we need to see you for treatment within the hour to have the highest chance of saving your tooth. So, don’t hesitate to contact our Spring House dental team.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth When you call us to let us know what happened, we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to handle your dental emergency until you arrive at our office. That starts with finding your tooth and extends to preserving the root by submerging it completely in a container of milk.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth If we can, we will save your tooth. If we can’t, then we will need to explore other options, like placing a dental bridge or implant in the open space. That way, you have a healthy, happy, and beautiful smile again!

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes! So, even if your filling is small or your lost dental crown doesn’t hurt, you should contact our Spring House dental team as soon as you can.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown To keep your mouth clean, periodically rinse with clean, room-temperature water. As for your restoration, you should store it safely in a small container and bring it with you to your appointment.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns With lost fillings, the solution is normally simple: provide you with a new one. With lost dental crowns, on the other hand, we have two options: re-cementing your old one back in place or having a new one made.

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency? Absolutely, a broken denture should not be ignored! Wearing a damaged denture for an extended period increases the risk of harm to your natural teeth, gums, and jaw. Contact our office right away and schedule an appointment with our team.

How to handle a broken denture: While you can consider using a denture repair kit in emergency situations, it's recommended only if you urgently need your teeth. Otherwise, thoroughly examine your denture before calling us, as this assessment will help our team determine the severity of the damage.

How we treat broken dentures: Upon visiting our office, expect Dr. Patel or Dr. Gandhi to examine the damaged prosthetic. They will determine if applying composite resin to fill in minor cracks or chips is a viable solution. However, if your dentures are extensively broken or severely damaged, replacement may be the only option. In such cases, you can discuss your eligibility for dental implants if you prefer a more permanent solution.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth an Emergency? Yes, permanent teeth should never feel loose. Normally, teeth should only be loose during childhood when baby teeth are preparing to fall out. If you find yourself with an extruded or partially dislodged permanent tooth, seeking prompt treatment is crucial to prevent oral health issues and further damage to your soft tissues, bone, and adjacent teeth.

How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Refrain from touching the tooth to avoid additional damage. Do not chew on that side of your mouth and steer clear of consuming hard or sticky foods. Maintain good oral hygiene, but be cautious while brushing and flossing around the partially dislodged tooth. Instead of rinsing, swish water around your mouth to cleanse without risking harm to your smile.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: If poor oral hygiene has led to gum disease, we will treat the soft tissues to eliminate harmful bacteria. In cases of a deteriorating jawbone, a bone graft may be recommended to strengthen it and secure the tooth in place. If the tooth is no longer viable, extraction may be necessary, and replacement options like a dental bridge or implant can be discussed based on eligibility, budget, and personal preference.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Dental Implants

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? While these injuries are definitely not to be ignored, there's no need to panic. It can be scary when you hurt your lip and it causes significant bleeding, but these injuries tend to heal pretty quickly. It's important to reach out to us when you have an accident involving your mouth's soft tissues, so our emergency dentist can ensure you don't need any additional treatment.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Our emergency dentist might suggest rinsing your mouth with warm water and putting pressure on the injured area to reduce bleeding. Using a cold compress can also help with any swelling or discomfort. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 10 minutes, it's a good idea to go to the emergency room for medical attention.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: Dr. Patel or Dr. Gandhi will examine the injury and decide if stitches are necessary to prevent infection. Some cuts are small and won't need stitches. They might also recommend a personalized mouthguard if you play sports – it can help prevent more serious dental injuries during a game. So, if you ever have an injury like this, we've got you covered!

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Depending on what's causing the jaw pain, it could be considered a dental emergency. Regardless of the cause, it's best to see our team promptly for relief from the discomfort. Jaw pain isn't just confined to that area – it can spread to your back, shoulder, neck, and head, making daily functioning challenging.

How you should handle jaw pain: Whether it's due to facial trauma, teeth grinding (bruxism), or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), jaw pain varies in severity. If your jaw is broken or fractured, head straight to the emergency room. For TMD or bruxism causing difficulty in opening and closing your mouth, eating, or speaking, we can provide at-home tips to ease your discomfort while waiting for an appointment.

How we treat jaw pain: Treatment for jaw pain depends on the cause. Customized mouthguards, worn during sports or at night to minimize bruxism, may be recommended. Other options include TMJ treatment or the removal of wisdom teeth, which could be a source of jaw pain. Regardless of the service, our team conducts a thorough examination to create a personalized treatment plan for you.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

When faced with something stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or a water irrigator for safe removal. Avoid using toothpicks, metal tools (such as forks or knives), or anything with a sharp edge, as they pose a risk of potential damage to the rest of your mouth. Accidental slips with these items can result in cuts to your gums, lips, cheeks, or even lead to chipping or cracking a tooth. Moreover, it may push the object deeper into the gums, making extraction more challenging.