Emergency Dental Information in Sandy Springs GA
No one plans on a dental emergency in Sandy Springs GA. Fortunately, Dr. Ed Trizzino, a family and cosmetic dentist at Smiles of Atlanta, provides emergency dental services to patients from throughout Northern Atlanta, including the communities of Sandy Springs GA, Dunwoody, Brookhaven, Alpharetta, Roswell, Norcross, and Tucker. Whether you break a tooth or develop an excruciating toothache, Dr. Trizzino and his team are available to help. If you have questions about emergency dental care, call the office for a same-day appointment.
While a professional should always be the final stop in any dental emergency, there are a few things you can do to alleviate some of the problems before going in for treatment.
Emergency Dentistry Q & A
Any dental issue or injury that needs immediate treatment to save a tooth is an emergency. You may also seek emergency care if you are in severe pain or if a dental injury won’t stop bleeding. Common dental emergencies include:
- Broken or loose dental implant
- Broken or lost dental treatments such as crowns, bridges, dentures, veneers, or onlays
- Cracked or broken tooth
- Infection or abscess
- Severe toothache
- Lost adult tooth
If you lose an adult tooth, find the tooth, and gently place it in its socket. If you can’t put the tooth in its socket, nestle it between your gums and your cheek. As a last resort, you can put the tooth in a small container of milk, but never water. It is important to keep the tooth moist while you are on your way for emergency dental care. Don’t touch the root of the tooth as this may cause additional damage.
If possible, call Smiles of Atlanta, and let them know you are on your way in with an emergency. If you lost the tooth because of a trauma, for example, an accident while playing a sport, Dr. Trizzino might be able to save your tooth. However, if you lose a tooth because of gum disease or decay, it is less likely your tooth will be preserved.
Though some accidents are simply unavoidable, there are certain safety precautions you can take during higher risk activities. For example, if you play on any sports teams, make sure to wear appropriate protective mouth guards and helmets.
Also, practice good dental care by brushing at home, flossing daily, and attending routine dental appointments to ensure that your teeth and jaw stay strong and healthy. Finally, don’t use your teeth for anything but smiling, biting, and chewing. Prying open lids or other inappropriate activities can break or chip your teeth.
If you have a dental emergency, call Dr. Trizzino at Smiles of Atlanta for advice. In some cases, you may need to come into the office immediately for treatment, but in other instances, you may be able to wait for an appointment later in the day or the next day.
Toothaches in Sandy Springs GA
With toothaches, it is always important to gently clean around the affected tooth. Warm salt water is good for removing food and other foreign matter from the area. If there is pain, do not use aspirin, as this thins the blood and is not suitable for an area like a tooth or gums.
Acetaminophen, commonly found in painkillers like Tylenol, is a better alternative. Also, be sure to use a cold compress, and, if the pain persists for more than a day, schedule a dental appointment.
Bleeding After Loss Of Baby Tooth
Lost a baby tooth and now it's bleeding? Get a piece of gauze, fold it, and apply it gently but firmly to the affected area. Have the child gently bite down to apply pressure for about 15 minutes, which should ensure that proper clotting and closure occurs. If this doesn’t happen, visit a dentist for emergency treatment.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
It may be possible to preserve the tooth and keep it in the mouth with quick action. Retrieve the tooth by the crown (top) and do not touch the root. Rinse it for foreign matter like dirt or dust, but don’t clean it too thoroughly and wash off actual tooth enamel. Reinsert the tooth if possible and hold it in place with cloth or gauze.
If this isn’t possible, preserve the tooth in a container of milk or water and make an emergency visit to a dentist to see if the tooth can be properly reinserted.
Broken Tooth
Clean out the area gently with a warm water rinse. If there’s a facial injury as well, apply a cold compress to the injured area to control pain and swelling. If any tooth fragments can be found and recovered, retrieve them, and make an emergency visit with them to a dentist.
Broken Jaw
Prevent as much movement as possible by tying the jaw to the mouth with a towel, tie, or some other cloth that can keep the mouth closed and as immobile as possible. For this emergency, go to a hospital emergency ward rather than a dentist as this may require more general medical treatment.
If an emergency occurs, the most important thing to do is maintain calm. Panic in an emergency situation just means that nothing gets done efficiently. Acting in a calm, controlled manner will do more to solve a dental emergency than panic. Contact our team at Smiles of Atlanta for more information.
Smiles of Atlanta
5685 Lake Placid Dr NE
Atlanta GA 30342
(770) 777-0808
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday & Sunday
Closed