Emergency Dentistry
Our experienced dentists are here for you! If you have had an accident or emergency toothache be sure to call us early as we have same day appointments available. We are contracted with ACC and offer subsidized treatment. Contact us to find out more. This page contain useful information about what to do in dental emergencies.
​Swelling is your body’s reaction to insult or injury.
If the swelling is from an accident or trauma, place ice against the area and take aspirin (if not allergic). Contact us or go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room.​
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If the swelling is occurring inside your mouth, it can be from an abscessed tooth or a gum (periodontal) abscess. Clean the area with a brush and floss and use a warm salt water rinse to help soothe the area. Contact us immediately for treatment, even if the swelling goes away, as swellings are almost always a sign of a serious problem developing.
Swellings & Infections
Broken & Cracked Teeth
​Teeth are remarkably strong, but they can chip, crack or break. This can happen in several ways such as trauma, falls, biting on hard food, and dental decay.
There many ways a tooth may break, from minor cracks and chips to more serious cusp fractures and split tooth each of which requires different treatments. When a tooth chips or breaks, it may not hurt. However, your tongue usually feels the sharp area quite quickly. Minor tooth fractures usually don't cause pain, but if a large piece of the tooth breaks off, it can hurt. That's because the nerve inside the tooth may be damaged. If it is exposed to air, or hot or cold foods or drinks, it can be extremely sore. If you have a broken tooth, visit us as soon as possible. Our dentists can figure out the type of break and if your tooth's nerve is in danger. We can also immediately restore your teeth to their natural appearance.
When accidents happen, teeth can sometimes get knocked out completely. If this happens, it is very important to see us immediately.
First make sure that the injured person does not show any signs of head injury, unconsciousness, nausea, headaches, or any other warning signs of a serious injury. The sooner a knocked out tooth is replanted in its socket, the greater the chance of retaining it for life.
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Replace the tooth into its socket immediately.
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Hold the tooth by the crown, ensure that there is no dirt or debris on the root. Wash briefly under water if needed .
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Gently push the tooth back into its socket.
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Hold the tooth in place by biting gently on a piece of cloth and call us for an appointment immediately.
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It is important to keep the tooth root healthy. If the tooth cannot be replaced into its socket, store it in Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (Save-A-Tooth) or milk. If this is not available store the tooth under the lip of the injured person. Scrubbing the tooth or wrapping it in a tissue will damage the root surface.​
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This advice is only for managing knocked-out permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is knocked out, do not try to put it back in its socket, call us for advice and treatment.
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Teeth can commonly get knocked out as a result of sporting injuries. At River Road Dental, we can custom make a protective mouthguard for you. If you have a missing permanent tooth, our dentists can replace your tooth with removable or fixed prosthesis such as a dental bridge or implant.