A dental emergency is not something to wait on. The sooner you call our practice, the more likely you are to avoid further damage. This is why our Bellingham dentists, Dr. Gary Tetrick and Dr. Jill Tetrick, makes every effort to see high-priority patients on the day that they call.
Emergency Dental Care
Dental emergencies can come in many forms, including the following:
- Toothaches: Even if there’s no visible damage, a severe enough toothache can qualify as a dental emergency. Your tooth is telling you that something is very wrong, and prompt attention can make the difference between keeping and losing the tooth.
- Chipped or Broken Teeth: When your tooth breaks, your tooth enamel is compromised and the vulnerable part of your tooth is exposed. Save any pieces that have come off of your tooth and get them to your dentist as quickly as possible.
- Lost Tooth: If one of your permanent teeth falls out, there is a chance that it might be put back into your mouth if you act quickly. Handle the tooth by its crown, rinse it off, but do not scrub it. Put it back into your socket if you can easily do so. Otherwise, try holding it in your cheek or under your tongue until you can get to the dental office.
- Objects Caught in Teeth: Don’t try too hard to remove an item from between your teeth. If conventional flossing doesn’t work, it might be a job for your dentist. Pins or similar sharp objects are likely to cut your delicate gums or scratch your tooth enamel.
- Lost Crowns or Fillings: A loss of a restorative dental fixture is leaving the fragile insides of your tooth vulnerable. If you can’t get to the dentist right away, try protecting the area with over-the-counter dental cement.
- Broken Braces: Any breakage in your braces threatens to undo all the good that your orthodontic work is doing.
- Soft-Tissue Injuries: Your soft tissues include not only your gums, but also your tongue, lips, and the inside of your cheeks. An injury to this area is something to bring to your dentist.
If you require immediate attention after hours, call our emergency number. In extreme cases, you may wish to visit your hospital’s emergency room.