Emergency Dentistry

Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies are quite common. While they’re usually caused by a traumatic injury, such as a bad fall or an accident while playing contact sports, dental emergencies can also be due to tooth infections, gum disease, or the loss of a crown or filling.

Regardless of your situation, it’s important to get professional help as soon as you can. A practice like Westlake Dental Associates can help minimize your pain and maximize the chances of saving your tooth.

1. Stay Calm

You may be experiencing a lot of pain, as the mouth is a particularly sensitive area. But the most important thing you can do when you suffer a dental injury is to stay calm.

From a chipped tooth to an infected one, most dental injuries are treatable. But the sooner you see a dentist, the better. Be sure to schedule an appointment immediately.

2. Take Care of Your Injury

Once you’ve scheduled an emergency dental care appointment, it’s time to deal with your pain. Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help relieve pain and swelling. However, keep in mind that aspirin should not be used. Aspirin is a blood thinner and an anticoagulant, so it can cause further bleeding.

Ice can also help reduce pain and swelling, but it should only be used externally. Ice should never be applied directly to the site of your injury or toothache in the mouth.

If a tooth has been knocked out of the mouth and you still have it, gently clean any debris from the surface. Don’t scrub the tooth, or wash it with soap. We want to keep the cells on the tooth alive, for the best chance of putting it back successfully. Most schools have a solution for storing teeth until you get to the dentist, but in a pinch you can use milk, or even tuck the tooth in your cheek (although it sounds gross, we know!).

Injuries like impacted or avulsed teeth may bleed heavily. Blood, if present, can be absorbed with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. If bleeding persists, seek medical care immediately.

3. See a Dentist as soon as possible!

Serious injuries like tooth avulsions and damaged teeth should be addressed as soon as possible. Treating teeth that have been knocked out of position or out of the mouth completely is very time-sensitive. The sooner an emergency dentist sees you, the sooner they can take the proper steps to restoring the functionality and aesthetic look of your smile.

Westlake Dental Associates – Emergency Dentistry in Westlake Village!

At our Westlake Village dentist office, Westlake Dental Associates, we offer emergency dentistry services and same-day dental care to all of our patients. Whether you’re suffering from an injury such as a broken, missing or cracked tooth, have lost a dental crown, or have a toothache, Dr. Scott Lundy and Dr. Michelle Parsaee are here to help!

With same-day appointments, and emergency scheduling available, we are always here for emergency dentistry in Thousand Oaks. Our friendly, dedicated staff will take great care of you, and Dr. Lundy and Dr. Parsaee will make sure that you feel comfortable and safe throughout your emergency dental procedure.

Call us for an emergency appointment at (805) 978-8754, or come to our office at 176 Auburn Ct. Suite 5, Westlake Village, CA, 91362. We’re always happy to see emergency patients. We’ll take great care of you, and we’ll help you get your life back to normal as quickly as possible!