Dental Emergencies 

Regular dental checkups are essential for oral health and maintenance. Regular dental care, along with regular brushing and flossing, will help to prevent emergencies. However, sometimes incidents occur without warning despite your best efforts. This may include:

• Injuries due to accidents, falls or sports.
• You bite into something hard that causes a tooth to break.
• A filling, crown, bridge, or other dental work falls out.
• A tooth becomes infected or impacted.
• Chronic gum disease flares up.
• A cavity becomes more severe.

These are some instances where you should get to a dentist as quickly as possible. However, any situation where you are experiencing severe pain relating to your teeth or gums qualifies as an emergency.

Some people in need of emergency dental care head to an emergency room, thinking that this is where they can get the most prompt attention. However, the staff at emergency rooms aren’t dentists and are not usually able to address issues of this kind. They can prescribe painkillers and antibiotics, but they will most likely advise you to visit a dentist as soon as possible. Going to an emergency room can also be very costly, even if you are only provided with very basic care. Keep in mind that you will still have to see a dentist later.

Calling a dentist immediately is usually a better solution. An emergency dentist Tampa, Odessa, or Carrollwood residents can call would be able to give you more specific advice and treatment than an emergency room. Here are the immediate steps to take if you have a dental emergency.

• Call a dentist who offers emergency dental services and make an appointment as soon as possible. If you can talk to a dental professional, they may give you specific advice on what to do until they can see you in person.
• If you’ve lost a tooth or part of a tooth, save it. The dentist may be able to restore it. The same holds for losing a filling or other dental work.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water and sea salt. A mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide can also be useful to prevent infections.
• For pain, apply a cold compress to prevent swelling.
• Use over-the-counter medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain.

Anyone needing an emergency dentist in Tampa, FL, or nearby areas such as Odessa, Town n’ Country, or Lutz, should consider Friendly Smiles Dental Care. Our office provides a full range of dental services, including emergency care. While we don’t offer 24/7 services, we are able to assist with dental emergencies during regular business hours. Call one of our locations to get seen by a dentist, today.

Calling a dentist immediately is usually a better solution. An emergency dentist Tampa, Odessa, or Carrollwood residents can call would be able to give you more specific advice and treatment than an emergency room. Here are the immediate steps to take if you have a dental emergency.

• Call a dentist who offers emergency dental services and make an appointment as soon as possible. If you can talk to a dental professional, they may give you specific advice on what to do until they can see you in person.
• If you’ve lost a tooth or part of a tooth, save it. The dentist may be able to restore it. The same holds for losing a filling or other dental work.
• Rinse your mouth with warm water and sea salt. A mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide can also be useful to prevent infections.
• For pain, apply a cold compress to prevent swelling.
• Use over-the-counter medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen to relieve pain.