After-Hours Dentistry in Bentonville

emergency care emergency dentist bentonville

What Is an Emergency Dentist?

At Hope Dental Professionals, we offer emergency care. An emergency dentist specializes in offering emergency oral care. This means that Hope Dental Professionals in Bentonville, AR, provides urgent care to patients who otherwise find it difficult to make a same-day appointment with their own dental office. Essentially, it is 24 hours of emergency dental services, 7 days a week.

Perhaps you have severe tooth pain on a weekend or in the middle of the night. Maybe there is an accident during a holiday when all businesses are closed, and you are desperately in need of a root canal. This is the perfect occasion and the whole objective of an emergency dentist. An emergency dentist can quickly diagnose and determine the gravity of the situation and treat you according to your emergency needs and in a prompt manner. There are just times in life when dental care is immediately needed, and in these times an emergency dentist is who you need to call.

Dental injuries and severe dental pain require immediate attention. Be aware of the emergency procedures described below, and always have an emergency dentist’s contact information at hand.

When Should You Seek Emergency Care?

Most minor cracks and chips are not serious and do not merit a visit to an emergency dental clinic. In that case, simply make an appointment within the week with a cosmetic dentist. But If a tooth cracks or breaks, and you can see yellow dentin, or red exposed pulp and it is accompanied by severe pain or bleeding, then it should be treated as an emergency. Call Dr. Pate, your emergency dentist in Bentonville immediately.

Chipped Tooth

In the event of a chipped tooth, the patient should visit a dentist within 2-3 hours. A chipped tooth may be saved if tended to quickly. In the window of time before an emergency examination, take the proper steps to minimize the chances of infection. Apply gentle pressure to the gums around the tooth to stop bleeding, but never apply direct force to the chipped tooth. Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply cold compresses to control swelling. If you still have the tooth piece that was chipped off, bring it to the dentist – it may be bonded back into place.

Things to remember in case you break or chip your tooth:

  • Rinse your mouth out with warm water
  • Apply pressure to stop any bleeding
  • Preserve your broken tooth in milk, saline solution, water, or your own saliva
  • Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling
  • Take an over-the-counter painkiller
  • See an emergency dentist as soon as possible

Dental treatments for broken or chipped teeth vary from case to case, and your dentist will discuss the options available in your situation. The best possible thing you or anyone can do for the well-being of a broken tooth is to see an emergency dentist.

Lost Tooth

Trauma powerful enough to knock out a tooth may sometimes necessitate a hospital emergency room visit. The patient should visit a dentist as soon as possible to maximize the chances of saving the tooth. If the lost tooth can be recovered, it should only be handled by the crown or white part of the tooth. The tooth should be immediately rinsed in cool water to remove any dirt, gently re-inserted into the empty tooth socket, and held in place with a clean washcloth. If the patient cannot re-insert the tooth, it should be kept moist until the emergency dentist visit, preferably in milk, saline solution, or saliva.

Other

Other dental emergencies that should be treated immediately include toothaches, cracked teeth, bitten lip or tongue (may require emergency room visit), and objects stuck between teeth.

How Do I Get a Dentist Appointment in an Emergency?

If your normal family dentist cannot provide you with an appointment because it is after hours, or they simply don’t have time to fit you into their schedules, do not panic. The next thing to do is type “urgent dental care near me” in your search engine. An emergency dental practitioner in your area should pop up. Give them a call and explain your situation. It is that simple.

What Happens in an Emergency Dentist Appointment?

Before anything can be done, your dentist needs to determine what the problem is. The dentist will look for worrying signs such as gum inflammation, infection, and exposed nerves. She will then examine for any damage to wisdom teeth, lost or loose crowns, or any broken teeth that have rough edges.

Pain will be treated, as well as swelling and treatment of facial trauma that is affecting the teeth. But that doesn’t mean the problem can be completely fixed in one appointment. Mending the underlying problem may take an additional visit. However, an emergency dentist can provide a temporary solution to buy you more time.

When you come in for emergency dental care, you may not be in the right frame of mind to make decisions about your treatment as well as dental insurance and the costs involved. You can get help for pain now and then make decisions later.

Make Your Dental Emergency Plan Today

It’s a good idea to plan ahead in case of a dental emergency so that you don’t have to scramble in the middle of an already stressful situation. Check the map to see where our practice is located so that you can easily head our way when you need to. You can also learn more about us by checking out our business page.

If you have any questions about dental emergencies, or if you have a dental emergency contact us today at (479) 254-8111!