What Is Considered a Dental Emergency? [Infographic]

Millcreek_UT_Dentist
Medically Reviewed By
Jonathan G. Campbell, DDS, FAGD
One of the top rated Dentist in Salt Lake City, UT
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Wouldn’t it be nice if dental emergencies kept to your dentist’s opening hours?

Imagine being able to call your dentist’s office and get answers on what to do right away.

But the reality is, they don’t. Dental emergencies can happen at any time, any day.

And they can’t wait. More so, PAIN can’t wait.

Whether you think you are having a dental emergency or want to be prepared, keep reading – we have all the answers you’re looking for.

In this blog, we outline:

If you are in too much pain to read the rest, give us a call immediately: (801) 278-4223 

Our Legacy Dental extension, 911 Emergency Dental, offers 24/7 emergency dental care in Salt Lake City.

What is considered a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies are far more common than one would think.

But in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to know what to do, who to call, and if you are really having a dental emergency.

So, we’ll make it easy.

Below is a list of common dental scenarios we consider dental emergencies in Salt Lake City.

Common dental emergencies:

  • Knocked-out tooth
  • Cracked or chipped tooth
  • Abscessed Tooth
  • Fallen out filling
  • Damaged denture or bridge
  • Broken tooth

Are you having a dental emergency? Keep scrolling for our infographic on how to handle common dental emergencies.

What should I do if I have a dental emergency?

Our Salt Lake City emergency dentists want to help you!

We understand dental emergencies can happen at any time of the day or week.

That pain can’t wait.

Whether you need assistance right now or want to prepare for a dental emergency, please carefully review our infographic on what to do in a dental emergency.

More than likely, if you are experiencing a dental emergency, you will need to see a dentist as soon as possible.

The sooner you can see a dentist, the better chances you have of preserving your smile and the sooner you can get out of pain.

Are you in the Salt Lake City area? We offer 24/7 emergency dental care, including the following services:

  • Pain and infection relief
  • Abscess tooth treatment
  • Treatment chipped and broken teeth
  • Replacement of fillings that have fallen out
  • Treatment for injuries to the mouth and teeth that have been knocked out or lost
  • Denture repairs and replacement
  • Extractions
  • Root Canals
  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation

For more tips, read our patients’ FAQs below on what to do in a dental emergency and our emergency dentists’ recommendations.

Dental emergency FAQs

What to do about a knocked-out tooth?

  1. Find the knocked-out tooth and handle it by the crown, not the root.
  2. Clean the tooth by gently and quickly rinsing it in cold water. Do not scrub or use soap on the tooth.
  3. Attempt to replace the tooth in the socket. Don’t worry too much about the alignment. If you can replace the tooth, gently bite down on gauze, clean cloth, or a rag.
  4. If it is not possible to replace the tooth, place it in a container with milk. But do not wrap the tooth.
  5. Call the dentist for immediate attention. A knocked-out tooth has the best chance for successful re-implantation if it is replaced within 30 minutes from being knocked out.

Our emergency dentists in Salt Lake City have advanced training in treating teeth that have been knocked loose and out by trauma. Contact us immediately for help: (385) 446-2942 

What to do about a chipped or broken tooth?

  1. Save all the pieces of your tooth.
  2. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water. This works as an antiseptic to gently remove any bacteria.
  3. Apply a cold press near the inflicted tooth. This will reduce any swelling.
  4. Call your nearest emergency dentist.

Tip: Broken teeth are often caused during physical activities (sports). To prevent yourself against broken teeth, we recommend you wear a mouth guard.

What to do about a toothache or abscess?

  1. Clean the area by gently flossing and brushing.
  2. Rinse vigorously with warm salt water to dislodge any trapped food or debris.
  3. Applying a cold compress may help to relieve pain and control swelling.
  4. Consider taking a pain reliever. Tooth pain is generally caused by inflammation, and an anti-inflammatory pain reliever may be helpful. But do not place an aspirin on your gums. It will not help and will create a chemical burn.
  5. Call us. Toothaches are typically a sign something is wrong.

 Tip: Even if the pain goes away, more than likely a condition exists that will get worse and eventually cause pain again. Treating it now can prevent further problems and pain later on.

What to do about a fallen out filling?

There are a few helpful ways to take care of the sensitive “hole” that is left after a filling has fallen out until you can see your dentist.

  1. One way is orthodontic wax. It is soft and moldable and will help protect the sensitive area until you can have it treated properly. It is found in most drug stores.
  2. You might also consider a temporary dental filling found in many drug stores. Although, the wax solution is usually a little less messy.

At Legacy Dental, we can usually see you the same day to fix a fallen out filling. Call us at: (385) 446-2942 

How much does an emergency dentist cost?

The last thing you need to worry about during a dental emergency is cost.

At Legacy Dental, our dental emergency costs and financial options are clear and straightforward:

  • The fee for the exam and x-ray is $96.
  • The fee to remove a tooth is about $200.
  • The fee for a root canal and crown depends on the tooth.

If you visit us during regular business hours, we will not charge you an additional fee.

We understand that emergencies are not planned, which is why we offer payment plans through CareCredit and our in-office payment plan.

We also accept most dental insurance plans. To find out how you can use your benefits at our office, contact us with your insurance information. Please note: We do not accept Medicaid.

Don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry. You can receive emergency dental care without insurance.

In fact: At least, 50% of our patients don’t have dental insurance.

For patients without insurance, we offer an in-house membership plan that can cover the cost of your exams and x-rays and save you 20% on the cost of treatment. Click here to learn more.

We also accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Why choose our emergency dentists in Salt Lake City?

The quick answer:

We are available 24/7.

The more convincing answer:

Your comfort is our first concern.

Just because you have an urgent need, doesn’t mean we will compromise on our quality of care or your patient experience.

Our emergency dentists in Salt Lake City will do everything in our power to get you out of pain and preserve your smile.

To make your dental emergency as easy and comfortable as possible, we offer:

  • Immediate, evening, and Saturday appointments, with on-call availability.
  • FREE Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). Other practices charge $80-100 for this service. We’d rather you were comfortable.
  • Compudent anesthesia, an alternative to the old-fashioned hypodermic needle. It allows for a more comfortable experience when getting numb.
  • Televisions mounted in the ceilings with noise-canceling headphones.
  • A family-owned operated practice with a friendly dental team who genuinely want to help you.

Our emergency dentists in Salt Lake City have over 40 years of combined experience in dentistry and have treated over 1,000 patients.

They know a thing or two about dental emergencies and what to do to get the best outcome.

Contact us today or save our information just in case you need us:

Legacy Dental blog is proudly run by our Salt Lake City dentists team; We share knowledge about general dental care and practices. Apart from running this blog, we offer various dental services such as general dentistry, emergency dentistry, and dental implants for the community in Salt Lake City, Utah

How to reach us in and around Salt Lake City, Utah

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Tuesday: 8.00am – 8:00pm
Wednesday: 8.00am – 8:00pm
Thursday: 8.00am – 8:00pm
Friday: 8.00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 8.00am – 2:00pm
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