Emergency Dentist — Miami, FL

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? If you have a persistent toothache in Miami that won’t seem to go away, it’s crucial to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible. This type of pain can be caused by several problems, including an infection, decay, or dental damage. In any case, each of these issues requires urgent treatment to keep them from becoming worse, ultimately leading to tooth loss.

How you should handle a toothache: First, ensure your discomfort isn’t a result of lodged food debris by gently flossing around the affected area. If this doesn’t work, call our office immediately. To help with your pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication as directed on the packaging. Rinsing with lukewarm salt water can also help clean the area and minimize inflammation. If you notice swelling, you can place a cold compress on the face for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for up to an hour at a time.

How we treat toothaches: If your toothache is caused by decay, we’ll clean out the tooth and fill it with a tooth-colored filling. If necessary, we may also top it off with a dental crown. If your pain is a result of an infection, we’ll remove the damaged pulp within the tooth and rebuild the structure with gutta percha, topping it off with a crown to provide it with extra support and protection.

Chipped Teeth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? If the damage is minor, sometimes a chipped tooth can wait a few days to be repaired. However, if the damage is more severe, we’ll likely recommend a visit with your emergency dentist in Miami for the same-day or as soon as possible to prevent additional damage from occurring.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: If you’re able to find the broken-off portion of your tooth, pick it up, rinse it off, and bring it to your appointment in a clean container. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water to cleanse the area of any bacteria or debris and avoid eating or chewing on anything until you reach our office if possible. If necessary, you can smooth out any sharp edges of the damaged tooth by placing a piece of dental wax over them.

How we treat chipped teeth: In most cases, dental bonding can allow us to repair mild to moderate chips, restoring the appearance of your teeth and protecting the nerves and inner chamber located within the tooth.

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Whether a tooth has a small or large crack in it, damaged enamel can lead to an infection. Because of this, cracked teeth are a dental emergency, and it’s important to get them treated as soon as possible.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth regularly with lukewarm water to clear any bacteria or debris from around the tooth. You can apply a cold compress on your face for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for up to an hour to help with any pain or swelling or take an over-the-counter pain medication. Avoid eating or chewing anything until you reach your emergency dentist and cover the damaged tooth with dental wax to minimize any sensitivity.

How we treat cracked teeth: Typically, for a cracked tooth in Miami, we’ll recommend repairing its structure and protecting and supporting it with a customized dental crown. However, if the damage is minor and we believe it’s appropriate, we may recommend a simple filling to seal off the inner portion of the tooth. If the crack has led to an advanced infection or is too severe to repair, we may need to extract the tooth.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Dental sensitivity typically occurs when the layer underneath the enamel is exposed. While some cases are mild, others can be severe and long-lasting. Your sensitivity is considered an emergency if it’s causing you extreme discomfort. Make sure you schedule an appointment to identify and treat the root of the problem.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Contact our office and explain your symptoms. Depending on your situation, we’ll ask you to come in right away for an exam. In the meantime, you can manage your sensitivity at home by drinking plenty of warm water, avoiding spicy and acidic foods, and taking over-the-counter pain medication.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: Once we figure out what’s causing your sensitivity, we’ll recommend an appropriate treatment method to relieve your discomfort. If you have weakened or eroded enamel, you may need desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, or a topical fluoride treatment. However, issues like gum disease and tooth infections will need to be addressed with antibiotics, gum disease treatment, or root canal therapy.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? To give us the best chance of putting the tooth back into place, you need to come see us within an hour of it becoming dislodged. Our team will work quickly to address your knocked-out tooth and restore your oral health.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Gently rinse it off and place it under the tongue. If this doesn’t work, it can be stored in milk or saltwater—it needs to remain wet to keep it alive! Just don’t keep it in plain water as it can damage it. You can also use an ADA-approved tooth preservation kit if you happen to have one on hand.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: If the tooth is still mostly intact, we may be able to simply reimplant it. Over time, it’ll naturally integrate back into place. In cases where the tooth is damaged beyond repair, you’ll need to explore your tooth-replacement options like bridges and dental implants. That way, you can avoid problems with untreated tooth loss.

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Although dental restorations are durable, they’re not meant to last forever. That means really old ones will eventually break or fall off. It may not be considered an urgent emergency, but you should still visit your dentist as soon as possible to prevent complications like infection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If you still have the restoration, place it back onto the tooth and secure it with some toothpaste if necessary. Otherwise, cover the tooth with some dental wax or sugarless gum. This is a temporary fix, and you’ll still need to come see us to get a full repair.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: Our team might be able to repair or recement your restoration if it’s mostly in one piece. However, a replacement may be ideal if your crown or filling is completely damaged.

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency? Absolutely! Wearing a broken denture can cause you to experience issues with your gums, soft oral tissues, and any remaining teeth you may have. You should contact us right away for assistance. We’ll schedule you at your earliest convenience!

How to handle a broken denture: Denture repair kits claim to be able to repair your oral appliance, but that’s not always the case. The best course of action when dealing with a broken denture is to contact our office and make an appointment as soon as possible. You should never try to repair your denture on your own, as it could cause the situation to become significantly worse.

How we treat broken dentures: The treatment method we recommend will depend on the severity of the damage. In some cases, composite resin can be used to fill in a chip or crack. In others, the denture may need to be readjusted or replaced altogether. If that’s what happens, it may be best to consider upgrading to implant dentures.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency?  A permanent tooth that is extruded or partially dislodged needs to be addressed immediately. From advanced gum disease to physical injury, there are many reasons why it may become loose. You should make an appointment with our dentist right away to prevent further complications.

How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Call our office right away and schedule an emergency appointment. Over the phone, we’ll share tips for handling your situation in the meantime. We often recommend not touching your tooth and avoiding hard or sticky foods. You should also clean your mouth by rinsing it with warm water.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: Depending on the cause of your loose tooth, we may recommend an extraction. In that case, you’d need to explore your tooth-replacement options like bridges or implants.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Oral injuries can be quite alarming, especially when they bleed a lot. Luckily, we may be able to help you out with this emergency. Give our office a call and explain your symptoms and we’ll tell you your next best steps.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Carefully rinse your mouth with warm water to wash away any lingering debris. Then, apply a clean washcloth to the area until the bleeding stops. Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: If the cut is small enough, our dentist can stitch it closed. However, you should head to the nearest emergency room if the wound is very large and the bleeding does not stop after ten minutes.

Learn More About Custom Mouthguards

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Although jaw pain can affect your day-to-day life, it’s not always considered a dental emergency. Of course, you should make an emergency appointment if your pain becomes chronic. With our help, you can avoid severe complications down the line.

How you should handle jaw pain: When you give us a call, we’ll explain how you can manage your situation at home. Some common tips we share include taking over-the-counter pain medication and using a cold compress to relieve discomfort. If you think your jaw is broken or dislocated, go to your nearest emergency room first.

How we treat jaw pain: The first thing we need to do is conduct an oral examination to identify what’s causing your pain. Depending on the cause, we’ll recommend anything from TMJ therapy to a custom-made mouthguard. If the jaw pain is because of your wisdom teeth, you can opt for an extraction.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Everyone has had something stuck between their teeth at some point in time. While it’s not usually considered a dental emergency, it can be if you’re struggling to dislodge the object. You should never use tweezers or toothpicks to get something out from between your teeth! Doing so may cause you to accidentally injure your soft oral tissues. Instead, try flossing and rinsing your mouth a lot. If nothing is working, don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.