Dental emergency dentists in West Michigan

Are you someone who tends to put off seeing a dentist even when it feels like something is really wrong? Though it is tempting, our West MI emergency dentists strongly urge you to trust your gut and receive the care you need. Dental emergencies are no joke and should be dealt with ASAP.

Here are 4 common dental emergencies that can have a lasting effect on your oral health if they’re not treated soon after they occur.

How Do I Know It’s an Emergency?

Not every dental issue qualifies as an emergency. Some problems can wait for the next available appointment, while others require urgent dental care to prevent further complications. A true dental emergency typically involves severe pain, excessive bleeding, or visible damage to a tooth.

On the other hand, issues like mild tooth sensitivity or a lost filling can usually wait until we’re able to see you. Calling our team to schedule an appointment as soon as you notice something is off will get you the care you need during normal business hours.

Other non-urgent dental issues include:

  • Small chips in teeth with no pain
  • Minor cracks in teeth with no discomfort
  • Food stuck between teeth
  • Minor gum irritation
  • Soft tissue injuries (tongue, cheek, or lip) that stop bleeding on their own

If you’re unsure whether you’re facing an emergency, contact one of our local dental offices for guidance.

Please Seek Treatment Fast If You: 

1. Fully Knocked-Out One or More Teeth

Maybe it happened when you didn’t swing in time during your last baseball game. Or maybe it was when you didn’t see that rogue frisbee coming. However it occurred, it resulted in dental trauma and more specifically, a knocked-out tooth.

If you find yourself in this situation, try not to panic. Instead, pick the tooth up by the crown, or top, to avoid damage to the roots. Rinse off any debris or dirt that may be on it and if possible, try to put the tooth back into the socket. If not, place it in milk or carefully tuck it inside your cheek so it does not dry out.

Be sure to call one of our West Michigan dental offices and arrive within 30 minutes of a tooth being knocked out. In the case that your tooth can’t be reattached, our dentists may recommend tooth replacement options with you.

2. Have Broken or Cracked Teeth

Another dental emergency that should be taken care of soon after it occurs is a broken or cracked tooth. Should this happen to you, you’ll need to first try to save all pieces of your tooth if possible.

Next, be sure to rinse your mouth with warm water so the area is cleaned. To help reduce any swelling, apply a cold compress to your face. Be sure to then contact one of our offices and we will do our best to get you seen by our local emergency dentists. Depending on the type of fracture, our dentists can employ various procedures, such as dental crowns, root canals, veneers, or dental bonding to restore the tooth’s appearance and function.

3. Experience Intense & Constant Toothaches

Have persistent tooth pain? There are a few steps you can take to ease your discomfort before calling our dentists. First, rinse your mouth with warm water to flush the area and get it clean. Next, gently use floss to remove any food that is caught between your teeth.

If swishing with warm water and flossing does not help, please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dentists so we can resolve the issue before it worsens. Tooth pain usually signifies something is wrong, so if it happens, listen to your smile.

4. Have Developed a Dental Abscess

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus in a tooth caused by an infection. This infection can result from ignoring a cavity, injury, or old dental work. Dental abscesses usually show up as a pimple-like swelling on the gums, for reference.

Our dentists can drain the abscess to rid the infection. We can then save the tooth with a root canal but if the situation is too severe, we’ll have to resort to tooth extraction. When a dental abscess is left untreated, it can result in often life-threatening complications.

Choosing the Right Provider for Your Dental Emergency

Ultimately, the decision between seeing an emergency dentist or traveling to the ER depends on the nature of the situation. Here are a few guidelines to help you make an informed decision:

  1. Assess the severity and type of injury: If it’s localized to the teeth or gums, our emergency dentists are usually the most suitable option.
  2. Consider the symptoms: Symptoms like extreme pain, swelling, or signs of infection are urgent but often do not require ER intervention unless they are life-threatening.
  3. Check availability: Many offices, like ours, offer emergency dental services, and visiting can save you time and resources compared to the ER.

Understanding these guidelines can ensure you get timely and appropriate care, minimizing long-term damage and maximizing recovery.

Need Emergency Dental Care? Call Us! 

If you are experiencing oral pain that is disrupting your everyday life, our West Michigan emergency dentists are here to help you get back to your old self. Call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations today or contact us online!

This blog post has been updated.