South Arlington Emergency Dentist is There for You

You have a throbbing toothache. You may have a dental abscess–a serious problem not only for your tooth but for your overall health, too. What can you do? Call your South Arlington emergency dentist, Dr. Prachi D. Shah, for advice or for a same-day appointment. Don’t hesitate. The doctor and her caring staff are there for you and your family. Your dental needs are their top priority.

Why You are in Pain

Your mouth and face are highly innervated and sensitive. They react to sudden injury and disease with pain which tells you that something is very wrong. Dr. Shah and her staff at South Arlington Dental Care want patients to understand the reasons for discomfort and what needs to be done right away to alleviate the problem.

A frequent cause of bad tooth pain is the dental cavity. A hole which begins in the outermost layer of tooth structure called enamel, tooth decay can continue down into the soft pulp in the tooth’s interior, leading to sensitivity to temperature extremes and to the pressures of biting and chewing. Dr. Sbah find cavities on oral examination and through X-rays to locate the damage and see how serious it is.

Another reason for a toothache is dental abscess. This problem presents with pain and swelling at the gumline and/or jaw, a bad taste in the mouth and red, swollen gum tissue. Root canal therapy removes diseased pulp and fully restores the tooth in many cases.

For deep cavities and suspected abscesses, contact the dental office at the first sign of pain. You may also take over the counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen for discomfort and apply a cold compress to areas of the jaw or gums that may be swollen.

When a tooth suffers a blow during sports or from an accident, it may be displaced to one side of its normal position, fractured or knocked out (avulsed). Displacement requires immediate treatment from Dr. Prachi who can reposition the tooth and splint it, as necessary, to realign and stabilize it.

In the case of tooth fracture, save the pieces in a plastic container and cover them with water, milk or over the counter tooth preservative. Bring them to the office where the dentist may bond them in place or may cover the tooth with a porcelain veneer or crown, depending on the damage.

When a tooth is completely knocked out, rinse it with water, and try to place it back in the tooth socket. Hold it in place while traveling to South Arlington Dental Care. If this is not possible, put the tooth in a container with milk, water or tooth preservative. For profuse bleeding, bite on sterile gauze or even a clean handkerchief.  If you get to the dentist for quick treatment, chances are very good that the tooth will be saved.

First aid for bleeding also appliaces to an oral laceration of the lips, tongue, gums, etc. If bleeding does not stop within 15 minutes, go to the hospital ER for treatment. If you believe your jaw is broken or displaced, go to the hospital as well.

We Will Care for You

You can depend on Dr. Shah and her professional team for compassionate and skilled emergency dental care. Contact South Arlington Dental Care immediately with an urgent concern. We have 24/7 emergency phone response and will get you the help you need.