12
Nov
What to do when emergencies happen (and how to prevent them): Four FAQs about Emergency dentistry for urgent needs
Even with the best oral care, accidents happen. Some oral problems can also be quite insidious. Their symptoms may be easy to ignore – until they aren’t. Then, a throbbing toothache due to chronic decay may affect every aspect of your life, from your ability to chew food to your ability to concentrate at work or to get any sleep. As an emergency dental office, we restore your teeth to restore your quality of life and well-being.
What is a dental emergency?
There is no simple answer to this. The emergencies we treat at Gateway Oral Health Center in St. George, Utah, take on many different forms. They may be caused by blows to the face during sports. These types of acute trauma or injuries might include a broken, dislodged, or fully “knocked-out” (avulsed tooth). There may also be injuries to the supportive tissues, such as the jawbone and gums, that require immediate attention. Additionally, injuries may result from longer-standing conditions like tooth decay. Without treatment, decay can lead to potentially serious complications such as infections or abscesses. These abscesses can spread to other parts of the face and body.
Can you see me right away?
At Gateway Oral Health Center, we don’t always have same day availability but do our best to see emergencies as soon as possible. Every effort is made to accommodate urgent needs ASAP. We can “triage” or prioritize these needs. Depending on the nature of your concern, we also provide immediate steps that you can take at home to ease swelling and pain, and to help us to support the successful resolution of your dental emergency.
Call Our Office for More Information
New Patients: (435) 656-0255 | Existing Patients:
(435) 656-0507
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Can my knocked-out tooth be saved?
We can preserve the tooth and prevent tooth loss as long as you follow any instructions for immediate care. Notably, it is important to keep the tissues attached to the tooth moist. Place the tooth back inside your mouth carefully (to avoid swallowing risk). Or, place the tooth in a Save-A-Tooth™ preservative solution – a great idea for any dental first-aid kit – or in a container of milk. The proteins in the milk help to fight bacteria and fortify the cells of the tooth. Also, the faster we can “replant” the tooth, the better the odds of successfully preserving it.
How can I prevent dental emergencies?
You can reduce your risk of needing emergency care and treatments of any kind by maintaining regular check-ups at intervals as instructed by your dentist. During these visits, we may discuss additional ways to protect your teeth. Other professional preventative services available at the office of Gateway Oral Health Center range from custom-fit mouthguards to protect the teeth and tissues from sports-related oral injuries to dental sealants or coatings that keep out food particles and bacteria from decay-prone back teeth.
If you are overdue for a check-up or are worried about a tooth or another part of your mouth, call our team in St. George, UT, without delay at (435) 656-0255.
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Dr. Bryce Eagar
Dr. Bryce Eagar completed his undergraduate studies at the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and attended dental school at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He joined the Minnesota National Guard while in dental school and later transferred to the New Mexico National Guard. He retired from the US Army Reserves as a Major after serving for 13.5 years.
Dr. Eagar’s journey to becoming a biological dentist started with his and his family’s health. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health and a member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine.
Dr. Matthew D. Geddes
Dr. Matthew D. Geddes earned his BS in Zoology and Chemistry from Weber State University and his DDS from Dalhousie University dental school (in 2006). He has worked as an associate and owner of a general dentistry practice. He is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a Fellow and Diplomate of the American Orthodontic Society. Dr. Geddes began learning about sleep and TMJ dentistry in 2018, which prompted him to enter the area of biological dentistry.