Even though we’re no longer offering preventive and cosmetic care, we’re still providing emergency treatment for our North Hollywood, CA, patients. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at common emergency situations, and how we treat them. We want to make sure you’re smile continues to stay whole and beautiful, even if you’re sheltering in place!

Common Emergencies Situations and How to Respond

A dental emergency refers to any damage or pain localized in your teeth and gums that isn’t life-threatening. For example:

• Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
• Avulsed (knocked-out teeth)
• Loose or lost fillings or crowns
• Toothaches or objects lodged between the teeth

If you encounter one or more of these concerns, then let us know right away, so we can schedule a time to see you. In the meantime, you can take steps to help limit discomfort. For example, if you damage a tooth, rinse with warm water and use a washcloth to stem any bleeding. A cold compress or ice pack against the side of the face can control swelling as well. Try to recover any pieces of your tooth, and if you can, bring them with you wrapped in tissue or in a small container.

If a tooth is knocked out completely, then pick it up by the crown, never touch the root. Gently rinse away any dirt or debris under running water, but don’t remove any tissues. Place it back into the socket and bite down gently to hold in place. If this isn’t possible, place it in a glass of milk or salt water and bring it to the office with you. If you experience pain or have something stuck between your teeth, rinse with warm water and floss on either side of the tooth.

Treatment Options

For damage, we could use dental bonding to offer a lifelike repair in a single visit. We also have custom crowns to address more substantial damage and ensure a restoration that matches the rest of your smile. We can also replace any compromised restorations, like fillings or crowns. If your toothache is due to cavities or infection, we can use a filling or a root canal procedure to return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty.

Keeping Your Safe and Healthy

Know that when you visit, we will be following strict health and safety guidelines, limiting patients in the waiting room and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in between each visit.

Do You Have Questions About Emergency Dentistry?

Our team would like to help patients and their families continue to enjoy healthy and functional smiles until we can once again offer routine care. For more information on our approach to keeping smiles healthy, then schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.