We’re Here for You During Any Dental Emergency in Columbia [blog]

Jun 15, 2019

Imagine that you’re packing to head out to Charleston for vacation. You’re on a ladder to grab your suitcase at the top of the closet, and next thing you know, you lose your balance and hit a tooth on the way down. Or your son’s coach calls from basketball camp to tell you he got hit in the mouth and knocked out a tooth. Or your husband munches down on popcorn during Friday date night, and the next thing you know, he’s cracked his tooth. A dental emergency can happen anytime, but we tend to see a lot of folks in the summer.

If you have a dental emergency of any kind, don’t hesitate to call Total Dental Care at 803-272-4162 right away. Dr. Forbes will see you the same day, guaranteed, if your situation is a true emergency. You don’t have to worry about ruining your summer plans!

Take a look below at some common ways to handle different dental emergencies.

Cracked or Broken Tooth

A broken or cracked tooth is one of the most common oral emergencies we see. A fall, an elbow to the mouth during a game or practice, and, as in our example above, the wrong bite when eating – all are common ways that teeth can get cracked or broken.

If this has happened to you for any reason, quick help is important so you don’t do further damage. Waiting can mean a root canal or extraction and tooth replacement is necessary, so call right away. If you have pieces, make sure to bring them with you.

In the meantime, don’t bite or chew with the tooth. Also, hot and cold foods and drinks can make the pain worse. When you see us, we’ll examine your tooth to determine what treatment will work best. Often, bonding or a crown will do the trick and get your tooth back to normal.

Though you can’t prevent this type of injury, you can take steps such as not chewing on hard candies or ice, or wearing an athletic mouthguard during any contact sport or activity.

Toothache

Another common emergency we see just about every day is a toothache. Usually, a toothache is from tooth decay, tooth infection, or an abscess. If you’ve ever had a toothache before, have one now, or know of someone who’s had one, you know that it can be incredibly distracting. You can’t eat or sleep or work without thinking about it!

We don’t want you to be in pain or have discomfort like this. See us right away, and we’ll give you the help you need. We offer comfortable care that can resolve your toothache, including fillings, root canals, and, if absolutely necessary, extractions. Rest assured we will always go with the most conservative option that will preserve your oral health the best.

While you wait for your appointment, you might find temporary relief with:

  • Applying an ice pack to your cheek where the pain is at
  • Taking a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or one that we may recommend over the phone (don’t apply anything directly to it unless you speak to us first)
  • Avoiding hard, cold, and hot foods and drinks
  • Rinsing your mouth out with warm water

Remember, even if you feel like you’ve been negligent or careless, there’s no need to feel embarrassed or think you’ll be judged here. Our goal is always to get you out of pain and restore your smile. So don’t wait on this one, as the pain won’t go away by itself. We can take care of it fast and get you on your way.

Knocked-Out Tooth

A knocked-out tooth is one of the most time-sensitive emergencies. If we can get to it fast – usually 30 minutes – there’s a chance we can reinsert your tooth without needing any tooth replacement.

So find your tooth if possible and call us right away. Rinse your tooth off, but don’t touch the roots as they must be preserved in case we can place the tooth back in your mouth. If you can put your tooth back in its socket in the meantime, do so. If not, put it in a cup or container of milk or saliva and bring it with you.

If you experience bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth to the area. A cold compress on your cheek can help reduce pain, too.

We will do everything we can to save your tooth, but if we can’t, we have options to restore your tooth and your smile.

There’s No Reason to Wait When You Have Our Team on Your Side

One quick thing we want to address: You don’t need to be worried during any emergency. We make treatment easy with:

  • A calming, listening staff
  • A dentist with decades of experience (trust us – he’s seen it all!)
  • A gentle touch
  • Modern technology for comfort and efficiency
  • A clean, recently renovated office
  • Convenient hours, including Fridays and evenings
  • Multiple payment options
  • Sedation for painless care
  • Comfort touches like music and massaging chairs

We encourage you to keep our number on hand, 803-272-4162 , so that you can get quick help during a dental emergency in Columbia. We’re ready to help! If you have any non-emergency questions, you can also reach out to us online .

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