Emergency Dentistry – Bristol, CT
Fast Relief for Your Dental Emergency
As they say, accidents happen, and unfortunately, sometimes they can happen to your teeth. If you or one of your loved ones suddenly experiences a dental injury, your first call should always be to Bristol Family Dental. We are the best place for you to get the urgent dental care that you need. When you call in, Dr. Ross Katkowski and our team will immediately spring into action. We’ll make an appointment to see you as soon as possible (even the same day!), and our team will start to walk you through basic first- aid over the phone.
Here are some tips to help you cope with common dental emergencies before you arrive in our office for your appointment:
Tooth Pain
Tooth pain can have various causes, including decay, infection, or a damaged restoration. You should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that hurts. Mild OTC painkillers can help to mitigate your discomfort. However, you shouldn’t apply pain medications directly to the gums because they can cause chemical burns. For topical relief, you can apply a bit of clove oil to the area.
Knocked Out Tooth
An avulsed (knocked out) tooth is one of the most time-sensitive dental emergencies. If you get to your emergency dentist in Bristol within an hour or so of when your tooth comes out, it is possible that we will be able to splint it back into place so it can naturally reattach itself in its original socket. To increase the chances that we can save the tooth, you should:
- Only touch the tooth’s crown (the part you normally see above the gum line) when you pick it up.
- Gently rinse any debris off the tooth.
- Keep the tooth moist. You can gently replace it in your mouth or keep it in a glass of milk. As a last resort, put it in water.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscess is a pocket of infection in the root tip of a tooth or in the gums next to it. It can cause serious symptoms, including a severe toothache, extreme tooth sensitivity, and systemic illness. If you suspect you have an abscess, the best thing you can do is avoid chewing on the side of your mouth that hurts and visit your dentist as soon as possible. A root canal treatment may be able to save your tooth from extraction.
If a fever or swelling in your face accompanies your abscess, and for any reason you cannot reach our team, you should visit the emergency room at the nearest hospital.
Broken Denture
Don’t try to continue using a broken denture. Doing so could lead to gum irritation and mouth sores. When you visit us for your emergency appointment, we may be able to repair your prosthetic. If that isn’t possible, we’ll recommend that you replace it.
Lost Crown or Filling
Crowns and fillings are in place to protect damaged, weak teeth. When one of these restorations becomes dislodged, you may experience some pain and sensitivity. Avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and use clove oil or a mild painkiller to manage your discomfort.
In some cases, it might be possible to temporarily reattach a lost crown with a mild dental adhesive from your local pharmacy so your tooth has at least some protection while you’re waiting for your appointment with us. If the crown is broken or misshapen, do not try to force it back onto your tooth.
More Tips for Coping with Dental Emergencies
Here are a few general tips that you can use in almost any dental emergency:
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Use a clean rag or towel to apply firm pressure to control any bleeding.
- Apply a cold compress to manage any pain or swelling.
- Ideally, have someone else drive you to the office.
Remember, when you need emergency dental care, be sure to call us first! We can also provide urgent care for Plainville, Farmington, Burlington, and Southington.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Dental emergencies often come unexpected, so it’s understandable that you have a few questions. We’re here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies in Bristol. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry! Give us a call and we’d be happy to answer your questions and schedule you for an appointment.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Toothaches don’t usually go away on their own, so it’s best to schedule a checkup with a dentist as soon as possible to make sure that nothing is wrong. There are many potential causes for a toothache, and you will want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying problems before they become more serious.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
It can be difficult to get quality sleep when you’re dealing with a toothache at night. Until you’re able to see your dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Additionally, take over-the-counter medication as needed and avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed for improved comfort. Cold compresses can also help.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Most emergency rooms are not able to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are three main exceptions where an ER visit is a better option. You should head directly to the ER if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, serious cut or laceration to the face or mouth, or an abscess or infection that’s swollen to the point of affecting your breathing or swallowing. In nearly all other circumstances, you should see a dentist.
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
Throbbing tooth pain is likely the sign of an infection or inflammation within the tooth. Cavities or cracks inside the tooth allow for air and bacteria to reach the sensitive inner area where the pulp lies, causing irritation and potential infection of the pulp nerves, therefore causing pain. In other cases, throbbing teeth could the result of chronic teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism).
Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?
Baby teeth are meant to come out, so you shouldn’t try to place them back into your child’s open socket like you would with a permanent tooth. However, it is possible for baby teeth to come out too soon, so you should schedule them an exam to ensure that no damage has occurred. If bleeding doesn’t stop or you think that your child may have an injured jaw, take them to the emergency room.