Emergency Dentistry – Fayetteville & Johnson, AR

Providing Fast Relief From the Pain

A guy laying with a cold compress on his cheek

Are you in the middle of a dental emergency? We understand how devastating dental emergencies can be and do our best to provide same-day care for the most urgent needs. For less serious emergencies, we make every effort to see you quickly, whether it’s the same day or the next. Regardless of when we can see you, our team always discusses ways to manage your emergency until we can treat you. If you’re in need of help, call us today and let Dr. Don M. Chaney, an emergency dentist in Fayetteville & Johnson, and the team at DMC Dental meet your dental needs.

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

A woman holding her cheek in pain

When considering the dental emergency you are facing, there are typically two types: long-term infections (i.e. toothache) or sudden injury (i.e. knocked-out tooth). No matter what type of mouth-related emergency you’re facing, Dr. Chaney can offer assistance and treatment. The first step you should take is to call our office. Once we better understand the problem, we can determine if an appointment should be made for the same day. If not, there’s no need to worry. We will happily discuss at-home steps to take until we can get you in to see us.

Toothaches

Toothaches can develop for various reasons. If you discover something is lodged between your teeth and it is causing a serious toothache, gently floss to remove the debris. This should quickly reduce your level of pain and get you back to feeling normal soon. However, the most common reason for a toothache is poor oral hygiene. Should this situation arise, you’ll need to take a pain reliever to reduce the discomfort you’re feeling. If an infection develops, Dr. Chaney may suggest a root canal to remove the pain and decay and save the tooth from extraction.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth will require a few necessary steps. First, if possible, retrieve the broken piece of tooth and rinse your mouth with warm water. If a fracture caused the chipped or broken tooth, apply a cold compress or ice pack to reduce any swelling. It will also be helpful to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Just like a toothache, if the dentist believes the chipped or broken tooth to be too damaged, this can lead to it being removed.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Taking a ball to the mouth, tripping and falling face-first onto concrete, or any other type of accident can result in a knocked-out tooth. If this happens, make sure to follow these steps:

If possible, grab the tooth and rinse it off. Only touch it by the crown and make sure to place a towel in the sink to prevent dropping to the tooth while rinsing.
If you are able, attempt to reinsert the tooth into its socket and apply gentle pressure. If this proves unsuccessful, place the tooth in a covered container of milk until you arrive at the dentist office.
Chaney should be able to save the tooth if we see you within the hour; however, if this isn’t possible, you’ll need to discuss ways in which you can replace the tooth safely and effectively.

Lost Filling/Crown

You bit down on something hard and now your crown and/or filling is missing. This common occurrence is seen often by dentists, so when or if this happens to you, some discomfort may develop. If so, take a pain reliever and avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the lost crown or filling. Just like a knocked-out tooth, if you can retrieve it and rinse it off, try to place it back in your mouth. A little bit of toothpaste can help serve as an adhesive until you can get in to see us.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

A woman in the dentist chair with her hand on her cheek

Although you do everything you can to avoid and prevent injuries or emergency situations, it’s inevitable that they will happen. If you think you’ve covered all your bases when it comes to being proactive about you or your child’s oral health, might we suggest the following steps be taken to further reduce the chance of a dental emergency occurring:

A mouthguard can help prevent sports-related injuries.
Keeping tooth enamel strong and protected by brushing and flossing teeth will not only make them healthier but more resistant to decay and infection.
A nightguard is a useful treatment option for individuals with TMJ or bruxism.

Weak teeth are more likely to chip or break, as well as develop cavities and tooth decay. To keep your teeth, gums, and soft tissues healthy and strong, preventive care is a must. While even healthy teeth can suffer a traumatic injury, they’re less likely to experience toothaches or other forms of “long-term” injuries.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

For most patients, when an emergency occurs, the cost is the last thing on their mind at that moment. Once things begin to calm down and treatment is taking place, that’s when the numbers start popping up in a person’s head.

When it comes to a dental emergency, there is no set price, as each injury and person is different. Various factors are considered when we provide an estimated cost, some of which include:

Prescriptions
Type of procedure: root canal, tooth extraction, or tooth replacement

In order to receive a clear estimate of your dental emergency, it is best if you make an appointment with Dr. Chaney to discuss your options and next steps.