When you struggle with a dental issue that is painful, uncomfortable, or will get worse if left alone, you may be experiencing a dental emergency. However, we at Dental Impressions of Ankeny understand that it can be difficult to recognize whether or not the issue affecting you qualifies as an emergency. So, in today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist will give you some examples of situations that qualify as a dental emergency, and how we can help restore your smile health in our office.
Dental Emergency Examples
Some of these examples may seem obvious, but others may come as a surprise. The main thing to remember in these situations is that if the issue will get worse the longer you wait to deal with it, it is probably a dental emergency. Some examples include:
- A painful, sudden, or persistent toothache
- A broken tooth
- A cracked or chipped tooth, especially if it becomes painful or discolored
- A permanent tooth becoming significantly loose or falling out completely
- Painful or severe swelling
Any of these situations are either caused by or could lead to infection or severe tooth decay, so, if you find yourself having any of these issues, you should call Dental Impressions of Ankeny right away.
When You Call
When you call us, we will be able to schedule an emergency dentistry appointment for you as soon as possible. In the meantime, our staff will give you some tips over the phone for how to take care of your situation as best as possible before coming in for your appointment. As an example, if you are in pain, you can of course regulate your pain with over-the-counter painkillers or by numbing the area using an ice pack on the outside of your face. If any pieces of your tooth (or your entire tooth) have fallen out or broken off, you should do your best to collect the pieces and place them in a sealed container full of milk or salt water to preserve them so that you can bring the container with you to our office.
In Our Office
Once you arrive, we will get to work at diagnosing your issue. If the problem was a physical impact that caused an oral injury, we may restore a broken tooth using bonding with the original pieces or with a dental crown. If the problem arose due to tooth decay, we may need to give your tooth a filling. If you don’t come in for an appointment as soon as you can and the problems are allowed to progress, extraction may become the best option for an infected or decaying tooth. Whatever the case, we are prepared to restore your smile and help you feel better as quickly as possible.
Don’t Hesitate to Call!
If you have a dental emergency, time is of the essence! Dental Impressions is proud to serve as an all-ages dental office, and we are prepared to help patients with a variety of needs. In order to make an appointment, or to find out more about our office, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA at (515) 965-0230.
