Emergency Dentistry

Though we wish it never happens, dental emergencies are sometimes inevitable. Instead of reacting to these often painful circumstances, make the decision now to respond with a reputable dentist who knows how to get the job done.

What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

A good rule of thumb is that if you are not sure whether an event is a dental emergency, call our dental office. We can advise you on your next course of action: to wait, to come in immediately, or to seek emergency room care.

Below are some of the many instances that qualify as dental emergencies.

Extreme Bleeding:

Bleeding is the typical response of gums that haven’t been taken care of in a while. However, if instances occur where intense or unstoppable bleeding occurs, please seek emergency room care as soon as possible.

If gums only bleed periodically when you brush or floss, this may be a reason to visit our office. It could be a sign of gum disease. To avoid this dental issue, be sure to practice proper dental hygiene constantly. This includes brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash to fight back against oral infections.

Tooth Damage:

If a tooth is broken, chipped, or knocked out, it needs to be seen by a dentist immediately. Please give our office a call as soon as possible when this happens! If the treatment is handled immediately, there may be a chance that dentists can reattach the original tooth onto the gums.

We offer many solutions to tooth injuries:

• Dental Crowns: Protective caps placed over a tooth to restore it.
• Dental Bonding: Using moldable putty to replace broken pieces of a tooth.
• Dental Implant: A small rod that replaces the root of a tooth. A crown can be placed on top.

Infection:

Tooth infections can come about because of poor oral hygiene or a preexisting health condition, like pregnancy. Come to Dr. Jenny Lee’s office if any of these symptoms occur:

• High Sensitivity To Food/Drinks: The bacteria that cause an infection create holes in your teeth, exposing the sensitive inner parts of the teeth. These inner parts are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures in food and drink.
• Signs of Fever: Sometimes, your teeth are to blame for fever-like conditions such as swollen lymph nodes or high temperatures. If these conditions become unmanageable, ask your doctor if these symptoms may be the result of a dental infection.
• Spurts of Pain: Noticeable toothaches or dental pain can arise from dental infections or other complications. Part of your tooth could be cracked, letting bacteria inside and inflaming the inner parts of the tooth.
• Deeply Stained Teeth: Soda, sugary snacks, and other food can often cause tooth stains. However, some stains can be caused by tooth infections. The darkened enamel occurs because of the diseased tissue beneath the tooth’s surface.

Emergency treatment for tooth infections includes cavity fillings, root canals, and extractions. Each treats a different level of infection severity.

What To Do In a Dental Emergency

How to react to an emergency depends on what type of emergency it is. Here are a few examples:

• Bleeding: If you’re bleeding from the mouth, try to stop the blood flow with some ice or gauze. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, go to the emergency room.
• Tooth Injuries: Keep the broken part of a tooth moist in milk or your cheek. Call Jenny Lee DDS so we can repair your tooth quickly.
• Tooth Aches: Take over-the-counter medications to help with pain, and use an ice pack for swelling. Give us a call if the problem persists for more than a few days.

Don’t Wait Till It’s Too Late!

Come to Dr. Jenny Lee’s New York office to get these emergencies treated. We’ll get your issue taken care of quickly so you can return to normal life as soon as possible.