Emergency Dentistry – Burien, WA
Getting You the Care You Need to Relieve Your Pain
Dental emergencies always happen at the most unexpected and stressful moments. You can trust that our team at Seahurst Park Dentistry will be there for you to treat an urgent issue and help you feel more comfortable. As soon as you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, contact us immediately for emergency dentistry in Burien, WA. We’ll book an appointment for you as soon as possible and provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance to make sure that your smile doesn’t sustain any additional damage.
Why Choose Seahurst Park Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- Fast Dental Care for Patients in Pain
- Skilled Dental Professionals
- Dental Sedation Available to Help You Feel Comfortable
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Whether you chipped a tooth, have a severe toothache, or knocked out one of your permanent teeth, the first step you should always take is call our dental office so we can fit you into our schedule. In many emergency cases, acting fast is crucial, which is why we'll do everything we can to make sure that we see you the same day. Below, we’ve provided some helpful tips and advice on how to handle common emergencies until you’re able to reach our office.
Toothaches
Try gently flossing around your tooth to see if a piece of lodged food debris is causing your pain. If your pain persists, you can rinse your mouth with warm saltwater, take an over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen, or place a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to help ease your discomfort.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Time is of the essence, so quickly pick up your tooth, being sure to only handle it by the biting surface, and rinse it under cool water. If your mouth is bleeding, you can place a piece of sterile gauze to help it stop. Place the tooth in a sealable container filled with milk or saltwater to keep it viable, and bring it to your appointment. Ideally, you should see us within an hour of the accident.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
If you’re able to find the chipped-off portion of your tooth, bring it to your appointment to see if we can reattach it. If the damage has created a jagged edge that is irritating or scraping your oral tissues, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over it.
Lost Filling/Crown
If you can find your restoration, pick it up, rinse it off, and temporarily secure it back on your tooth using a dab of denture adhesive or toothpaste. It’s important to remember that this is not a permanent solution, and you’ll still need to visit our office so we can repair or replace the restoration in order to prevent an infection from developing.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Although it’s impossible to completely prevent all dental emergencies, there are some precautionary steps you can take to minimize your risk of experiencing one. These include:
- Keeping up with your oral hygiene at home
- Visiting us every six months for checkups and cleanings
- Maintaining a nutritious diet
- Staying hydrated with water
- Avoiding chewing on items or foods that are sticky or hard
- Breaking bad habits like smoking and nail-biting
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
After we’ve had a chance to examine your mouth and diagnose the underlying problem, we’ll discuss your treatment options and the cost with you. We file insurance claims on our patients’ behalf and will gladly answer any questions that you may have before we begin your emergency treatment. We always try to accommodate our patients, which is why we’re also happy to discuss payment plans with you.
Root Canal Therapy
A toothache is often a sign of an infection that is hidden beneath the surface of a tooth. Without timely treatment, the damage could spread and affect surrounding teeth and even other areas of your body. With root canal therapy, we can save natural teeth and ease even the most painful toothaches. Many of our patients feel much better after receiving treatment, and the process is virtually pain-free.
Tooth Extractions
At Seahurst Park Dentistry, we understand that there’s no substitute for your natural teeth, which is why we always try our best to save them. However, in some cases, a severely damaged or decayed tooth may present a threat to the surrounding teeth. In these situations, we may suggest a tooth extraction. After your procedure, we can discuss tooth replacement solutions to restore the function and look of your complete smile.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Dr. Thomas and our team are ready to leap into action to serve you! But before you save our number in your phone as your go-to emergency dentist in Burien, it is understandable if you would like to know more about different dental problems and how you should approach them. That is why we have put together the following list of frequently asked questions, along with their answers. If you don’t see the information you were hoping for, contact us directly. We love answering our patients’ questions!
Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
A toothache might go away on its own, but that doesn’t mean the problem is resolved. Remember that teeth are incapable of healing themselves. Therefore, if a toothache suddenly vanishes, it might indicate that the nerve inside the tooth has died. Later, after the infection or damage spreads, you may experience even more severe symptoms. It is always the wise course of action to seek treatment for a toothache, even if the pain has disappeared.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
In most cases, no. The staff in hospital emergency rooms generally do not have the training or equipment to effectively address dental emergencies. They may decline to treat you or simply give you some pain medication. Care from a dentist is necessary to get your oral health back on track. However, you should visit an emergency room first if you are facing a serious or life-threatening situation, such as significant facial lacerations or a broken jaw. If you have a fever along with a toothache, that also warrants a visit to the ER.
What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?
Having an emergency dentistry kit on-hand can help you to deal well with unexpected oral health problems. Your kit should include:
- A small container with a lid
- Sterile gloves
- Gauze pads and cotton balls
- Dental cement
- Denture adhesive
- Petroleum jelly
- Pain medication
- A topical anesthetic
- Floss
- An ice pack
- Your dentist’s phone number
My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Do I Still Need to Visit?
If it is only your tooth enamel that chipped, your oral health may not be in any immediate danger. However, it is still wise to visit a dentist. They will check to see whether the damage is superficial, or if you might need a root canal. They might also offer a service like dental bonding or a veneer to restore the tooth’s appearance, prevent further breakage, and protect the soft tissues in your mouth from its jagged edges.
Can I Fix Dentures that Are Broken in Half?
DIY denture repairs are never recommended. Attempting to fix your denture on your own could worsen the damage, and using items like superglue could harm your oral tissues. You should visit a trained dental professional, who will assess the damage and let you know if it is possible to repair your prosthetic or if you need a new one.
