Appointment RequestEmergency Dentistry – Vero Beach, FL
Call Us If You’re in Pain
Dental emergencies are much more common than you’d probably like to think, and they can be extremely frightening when they happen to you or someone in your family. We can make time to see patients right away in the event of an urgent dental situation, so be sure that the number for Ocean Oaks Dental Group of Vero Beach is always close at hand. We’ll do all we can to save your smile, stop your pain, and prevent further injury or infection with emergency dentistry in Vero Beach, FL.
Why Choose Ocean Oaks Dental Group of Vero Beach for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Comprehensive Dental Services In-House
- Advanced Dental Lab on Location
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Several situations could be called a dental emergency. Some are caused by poor oral hygiene while others are often the result of a blow to the face. Below is a list of some of the more common dental emergencies as well as some general tips for how to deal with them. It may help to put together a dental emergency kit so that you’re well-equipped to deal with these issues as soon as they happen. We can also give you first-aid advice when you call to set up an appointment.
Toothaches
Floss around the affected tooth and rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to get rid of any debris between your teeth. If this doesn’t ease the pain, take anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and call our dental office immediately. If there’s swelling, you can apply a cold pack to the area.
Chipped/Broken Teeth
Care should be taken to prevent any further damage until we’ve examined your teeth, so don’t bite or chew with the affected side of your mouth. Apply a cold pack to any swollen areas. Place a bit of dental wax or sugarless gum over the tooth if it starts to irritate your soft oral tissues.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Make arrangements to see us immediately; a replantation is more likely to be successful if it’s attempted within an hour of the initial injury. Pick the tooth up by the chewing surface, rinse it off, and put it back in its socket. You can also preserve it by storing it in the space between your cheek and gums or by placing it in a container of milk.
Lost Filling / Crown
Locate the restoration quickly; you’ll want to bring it with you to your appointment in case it can be salvaged. It’s often possible to put a lost restoration back on the exposed tooth to keep it safe until your appointment, although you may need to use a bit of toothpaste as a temporary adhesive to keep it from falling out again.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Even if you can’t avoid every dental emergency, you can potentially prevent serious oral health issues by:
- Brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and an ADA-approved toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Flossing at least once a day to clean between the teeth
- Not chewing on pen tips, fingernails, and other hard objects
- Staying away from overly hard foods like popcorn kernels
- Wearing a mouthguard when participating in any sort of athletic activity
Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Our top priority during an emergency is to relieve your pain and fix any damage that has already been done. We can discuss the cost once we’ve determined the kind of treatment you need. The amount you end up paying depends heavily on your unique situation, but we’ll be sure to explain exactly why a specific treatment is needed before asking you to make a decision. We can also file insurance claims on your behalf and discuss financing options if necessary.
Tooth Extractions
Teeth sometimes need to be removed if they’re severely infected or badly damaged. However, an extraction is always a last resort that is only performed if other treatment options are not viable. We will only recommend it after we’ve thoroughly examined your mouth and determined that it’s the best way to restore and protect your oral health. We can help you choose a replacement such as a bridge, a partial denture, or dental implant afterward.