Emergency Dentist Ponte Vedra Beach

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

Toothaches can have many causes, and yours may be an emergency depending on its severity. Contact us if your toothache:

• Is severe or throbbing
• Lasts longer than twenty-four hours
• Involves sharp sensitivity that lasts for more than thirty seconds
• Is accompanied by a small bump on the gum tissue around the afflicted tooth
• The troubled tooth is darker than the other teeth
• You notice symptoms of infections such as fever, fatigue, swelling, or a foul taste

How You Should Handle a Toothache

Begin by brushing and flossing in case your pain is caused by a stubborn object stuck in your teeth. If this doesn’t solve the problem, take an over-the-counter pain reliever or rinse with a solution of water and table salt. You can also try using a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort.

How We Treat Toothaches

The best way to address a toothache depends on its cause. After we evaluate your pained tooth in our office, we may recommend treatments like fillings, gum disease therapy, or a dental crown. However, it may be necessary to extract a severely infected tooth to protect the rest of the smile.

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Chipped teeth aren’t always a dental emergency, so you may be able to wait a few days before seeking help if your damage is minor. However, large chips or damage that exposes the inner structures of the tooth must be treated at our office as soon as possible. Regardless of the severity of a chip, leaving the tooth untreated can eventually lead to worse damage or dental infections.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Store any large pieces of your tooth that you find in a clean container and bring it with you to our office. Until your appointment, you can keep your tooth clean and comfortable by rinsing regularly with salt water to flush away debris and harmful bacteria. Avoid chewing with the injured tooth, and you can cover any sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-fee gum if they are causing irritation.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth 

We usually use cosmetic bonding to fix minor chips quickly and painlessly. However, a tooth that is especially visible in your smile or severely chipped may need to be restored with a veneer.

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Even a tiny crack in a tooth’s enamel can increase its risk of infection and further injury, so it’s best to have the team at Ponte Vedra Family Dentistry address the issue as soon as possible. Cracks aren’t always visible, so contact us if you notice dental pain or sensitivity after sustaining a blow to the face.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

Begin by rinsing your mouth with water to clear away bacteria and lingering enamel shards. If you experience pain or sensitivity, you may be able to reduce it with a cold compress or by taking over-the-counter pain relievers according to the instructions printed on the bottle. Refrain from chewing on the injured side of your mouth. If you experience sensitivity, you can cover the troubled tooth with dental wax or sugar-free gum.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth 

We usually treat a cracked tooth by fitting it with a customized dental crown. However, we may be able to fix minor damage through a comfortable and noninvasive process called cosmetic bonding. A tooth that is fractured beyond repair may need to be extracted and replaced with an appropriate restoration such as a dental implant.

Very Sensitive Teeth

• Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Not usually. While sensitivity can be bothersome, it doesn’t always mean that something is wrong with your oral health. That said, it’s always good to double-check!
• How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: You should call our office and describe your symptoms. If you can pinpoint the sensitivity to one tooth, you might have a cavity, and we’ll want to schedule you for a visit sooner than later.
• How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: For “normal” sensitivity, we can help strengthen your teeth with a fluoride treatment and sensitivity toothpaste recommendations. If we detect a cavity, however, you’ll likely need a filling.

Knocked-Out Tooth

• Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, and you’ll need to act quickly in order to have the best chance of saving your tooth. After one hour, the delicate roots are no longer able to sustain the tooth, and we won’t be able to reinsert it.
• How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: If you’re able to find your knocked-out tooth, pick up by the crown side only. You can rinse it off gently in water, but should store it in a container with milk or saliva. This should help it stay preserved for one hour.
• How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: We’ll see you as soon as possible so we can try to reinsert your tooth. Please note, though, that if your tooth is no longer viable, we may not be able to do so, and you’ll be needing a replacement.

Lost Filling or Crown

• Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes, though it’s usually safe to go without a crown or filling for a few days. Ultimately, your tooth will be more vulnerable without its restoration, though, so we still recommend prompt action.
• How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: Step one should be to find your lost crown. While fillings can’t be reinserted, we’ll be able to tell you over the phone if it’s safe to try and reseat your crown. To do so, simply rinse off your crown, dab a small amount of toothpaste on the underside, and gently press it into place.
• How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: Lost fillings always have to be replaced. Crowns, on the other hand, may be repaired if they haven’t sustained severe damage. Rest assured, we’ll aim for the treatment that’s most convenient for you if at all possible.

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain