Emergency Dental Care

Has a dental crown or filling fallen out? Have you been involved in an accident that has broken or knocked out a tooth? Do you have a severe toothache that prevents you from eating? Regardless of the situation, contact South Temple Dental today at (385) 492-5403 to be seen by Dr. Spencer Updike for your tooth repair emergency.

Common Dental Emergencies We Treat

We treat all types of gum and tooth emergencies. Here are guidelines for handling common dental emergencies before you see a dentist.

Broken or Cracked Tooth

Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to your face to minimize swelling. If your tooth was chipped or broken, save the tooth fragments in milk or wet gauze. Do not touch the root of the tooth. It is possible your tooth can be repaired with the preserved fragments as long as they have not been allowed to dry. If the break resulted in a sharp edge, cover the edge with sugarless chewing gum to prevent cutting your cheek or tongue. Contact our office as soon as possible.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Always handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, to minimize damage. Rinse the tooth under warm water and attempt to place it back in the empty socket. If the tooth cannot be reinserted into your gums, take steps to keep the tooth moist by preserving it in milk or a wet towel. A tooth that has dried out cannot be saved. Contact an emergency dentist in Salt Lake City as soon as possible to increase the likelihood that the tooth can be saved. If you see a dentist within one hour, the tooth can likely be restored.

Lost Crown

If your crown has fallen off, try to slide it back onto your tooth with an over-the-counter dental adhesive until you can be seen by the dentist.

Abscess

An abscess is a painful infection that can make it difficult to eat and sleep. If left untreated, a tooth abscess can even be life-threatening if the infection spreads. Reduce pain and draw out pus by rinsing your mouth with salt water before you can be seen by the dentist.

Toothache

If a toothache is making it difficult to eat or sleep, rinse your mouth with warm water and use dental floss to attempt to remove any food that may be causing the discomfort. Cough drops with a mild anesthetic agent can also help.

A dental emergency can be very scary. At South Temple Dental, we understand that emergencies can happen at any time and you can’t always wait days to see a dentist. If you are dealing with a dental accident or severe pain, it’s important to get treated as soon as possible to minimize damage.

How quickly can I get in to see the dentist in an emergency?

We do our absolute best to see patients as soon as we can, and can usually get you on the same day you call. There are times when a dental emergency may come up. It might be a toothache, a broken tooth, or general discomfort in the mouth. If ever you are experiencing sensitivity or other dental concerns, you should call right away. Dr. Spencer T. Updike does his best to treat each case, scheduled or emergency. Call us (385) 492-5403.