Emergency Dentist for Ridgefield

From broken teeth to toothaches, knocked out teeth, and more, dental emergencies come in many forms. When the unexpected happens to you or a loved one, don’t hesitate to get in touch with your dentist at Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center. You don’t have time to lose in a dental emergency -- and every minute makes a difference in restoring your smile health. You can count on Dr. Jones and Dr. Franzese to provide urgent care for your next dental emergency in Ridgefield.

What To Do After a Dental Emergency

What counts as a dental emergency? Generally, if you’re in pain, bleeding, or have broken something in your mouth, you need urgent attention. Some of the most common dental emergencies include:

• Broken, fractured, or cracked tooth
• Toothache
• Knocked out or missing tooth
• Broken filling, inlay, onlay, or crown
• Foreign object lodged between teeth

Dental emergencies come in many forms, so don’t delay calling your emergency dentist if you suspect you require immediate care.

Broken Tooth

If you’ve broken a tooth, find any missing pieces and carefully store them for possible reattachment. Call your dentist immediately, and apply an ice pack to reduce swelling. Hold the pack (covered in a cloth) against the affected cheek in 15 minute intervals. Take an over-the-counter pain medication to ease discomfort until you can reach your dentist’s office.

Toothache

Call your dentist at the very first sign of a toothache. A painful tooth won’t get better on its own, and aches can quickly turn into an abscessed tooth requiring root canal or extraction. Prevent infection by seeking dental care immediately. Manage discomfort by taking an over-the-counter medication like Tylenol or Aleve until your dental appointment.

Knocked Out Tooth

A tooth that’s been completely lost is perhaps one of the most stressful dental situations -- but it’s important that you keep calm. Collect the tooth and rinse away any debris under warm water. Do not scrub the tooth or touch its root. Store the tooth in the empty socket, in the cheek, or in a bag of milk until you can receive the urgent care you require.

Broken Dental Work

If a filling, inlay, onlay, crown or any other type of dental work breaks, collect the broken pieces and call your dentist immediately. Ignoring broken dental work can lead to more serious infection or injuries to the rest of the mouth. If you cannot come into the dentist’s office immediately, you may be able to temporarily reattach the device with toothpaste or a denture adhesive -- just remember it’s not a permanent fix.

Foreign Object Lodged Between Teeth

When something gets caught in your teeth, do not try to force it out. First, try gently flossing the area -- if the offending particle or object won’t come loose, stop there and call your dentist. We have the special tools and know-how to safely dislodge foreign objects from the teeth and gums. Trying a do-it-yourself solution could cause more serious injuries.

Save Our Number!

Your dentist in Ridgefield is here for you in your next dental emergency. Call us at (203) 438-8919 the next time something goes wrong. Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center is here for you when you need us most!

Emergency Dentistry FAQs

Are you scared of having a dental emergency on your hands and not knowing what to do? If you just experienced an accident that is causing you oral pain, contact our office immediately. One of our dental professionals will guide you through any necessary first-aid steps and do everything we can to get you an appointment that same day. For your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive from our patients below.

When should I call my emergency dentist?

Some patients are hesitant to call our office because they don’t want to turn a small issue that might go away on its own into a big ordeal. However, leaving a serious problem untreated can cause permanent damage to your mouth and be a costly problem to take care of. If your answer to any of the following questions is “yes,” you should contact our office right away for urgent care:

• Do you have a loose permanent tooth?
• Are your gums sore and bleeding?
• Do you have swelling around your mouth?
• Have you noticed a bump or lump in your mouth that won’t go away?
• Do you have a severe toothache that won’t subside?
• Do you have an oral sore that isn’t healing?
• Is your tooth numb?
• Is there a metal taste in your mouth?
• Did you damage a tooth?

Most of the time, if you feel panicked or as though something is wrong with your mouth, it’s best to contact us regardless of whether the questions above pertain to your situation. That way, you can rest assured that you’re not leaving anything to chance.

Should I go to the emergency room or my emergency dentist?

Depending on your needs, you may have to visit your local emergency room before you receive any urgent care from your dentist. Traumas involving your face that require you to go to your ER include jaw fractures and dislocations, deep facial cuts, or any issue that is affecting your ability to breathe and swallow. Once you have received the medical treatment you needed, our team at Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center will take care of any of your dental needs and get your oral health back on track. 

What should I include in my dental emergency kit?

Dental emergencies can happen at any time, which is why it’s always a good idea to be prepared and have a kit on hand. Even if you’re en route to your emergency dentist, you’ll want to have supplies with you to ease your discomfort and prevent any additional damage from occurring. Here are some items to include in your emergency kit:

• Latex-free gloves
• Orajel
• A small sealable container
• Individually wrapped gauze pads
• Ibuprofen
• Dental floss
• A dental mirror
• Denture adhesive

You should be able to find most, if not all of these products at your local pharmacy or drug store.

What should I do if my face is swelling?

Your face could swell for a variety of reasons, including trauma and infection. If you notice any puffiness, you can place an icepack on the affected outer-area of your face for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. This will bring down the swelling while also easing any lingering pain.