Do you need emergency dental care?
When you have a dental emergency, you must visit the dentist as soon as possible. Prompt treatment will alleviate pain and give the dentist time to save your tooth/teeth. If you need help finding a dentist in the Seattle, Tacoma, and University Place areas, call us at (253) 564-7911
Dental emergencies can cause a lot of pain, but there is plenty we can do to help. When searching for dental emergencies in Tacoma, you’ll find 32 Pearls is your best solution.
Please be advised that if you are in an emergency, you must call 911 before calling us. When
Types of Dental Emergencies
Avulsed tooth (tooth knocked out)
If you have broken, knocked out, or injured tooth/teeth, don’t panic. You should take some steps to ensure that the tooth does not dry out and become damaged. Here’s what to do: First, call your dentist. If possible, rinse the tooth under warm water and put it back into its socket. If this is not possible, place the tooth in some milk (or saliva or water) as a last resort, so it doesn’t dry out. Get to your dentist as soon as possible! The dentist will try to reattach your tooth or perform root canal therapy if necessary.
Lost Filling or Crown
If a filling or crown comes loose while you’re eating and you can feel it moving in your mouth, then you need to call the dentist.
If you lose a crown, the first thing to do is see the dentist as soon as possible. If the crown has been out of your mouth for a while and you can’t immediately get to the dentist, try putting clove oil on your tooth to relieve/ease the pain. Clean the crown as best you can, and then affix it onto the tooth with dental cement, which you can buy at the local pharmacy. DO NOT use cement or glue to fix a crown if it doesn’t fit anymore—you could damage your tooth and gums. If the dentist thinks the crown will still fit, they will reattach it to your tooth or make you a new one.
Cracked or broken teeth
Cracked or broken teeth can result from trauma, grinding, and biting. Here are some tips if you have cracked a tooth: Call your dentist. Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water. Apply gauze to stop bleeding if there is any. Place a cold, damp dishtowel on your cheek to minimize swelling and pain. Cover the affected area with over-the-counter dental cement if you cannot get to the dentist immediately. Take a topical pain reliever.
Dislodged or loose tooth
Make an appointment with our office if your tooth is broken, loose or knocked out. In the meantime, use a cold compress and over-the-counter pain medications to relieve the pain. Your dentist will reposition the tooth, add splints to stabilize it and prescribe antibiotics if needed.
Avoid an emergency with preventative care.
The best way to avoid an emergency is by making use of preventative care. We can’t avoid all accidents but you can take advantage of the excellent dental services we provide to make sure your teeth, gums, and mouth stay strong and healthy.
Ways to prevent dental emergencies.
- If you are involved with sports activities, please wear your mouth guard. As uncomfortable as it may feel, it isn’t as uncomfortable as losing a tooth.
- Take precautions when eating and drinking hard foods. Think about how you eat. Take your time. Take smaller bites and chew thoroughly. Drink plenty of liquids.
- Avoid sweets, sugary & acidic foods that wear away at your gums and teeth.
- Brush, floss and rinse after you eat.
- Schedule dental appointments.
- Don’t chew on inedible objects such as your nails, pencils, pen caps.
- Discover ways to relax in an effort to avoid teeth grinding.
