Dental emergencies tend to happen when you least expect them. Sometimes they’re preventable, other times they aren’t. Our dentist in Federal Way provides emergency care near you, oftentimes on the same day.
Common Emergencies That We See
If you’re in pain, unable to eat, or cannot go to work or school, your situation warrants a true dental emergency. Some of the more frequent situations that we care for involve:
Broken, Chipped, or Knocked-out Teeth — Oral trauma, sporting accidents, and even automobile wrecks can cause broken teeth. If you chip or knock out a tooth, do your best to locate the missing fragment. If the tooth is whole, do not touch the root. Store it in a container and cover it with milk, contact solution, or saline. Get to our office within the hour so that we can try to bond or splint it back into place. For fully knocked-out teeth, you can gently rinse the root with running water (don’t scrub it clean) and then attempt to place it back into the socket; do not force it.
Abscessed Teeth — Dental abscesses can range from asymptomatic to severe pain. Most abscesses are the result of untreated tooth decay, but sometimes they pop up because of an undiagnosed crack or leaky filling. While over-the-counter pain reliever can appease the discomfort to an extent, the best option is to remove the source of the infection via endodontic therapy. In some scenarios, an antibiotic may also be necessary to reduce the inflammation.
Tooth Pain — Toothaches can be caused by a variety of factors ranging from gum recession and cavities to cracked teeth and decay. An anti-inflammatory (such as Motrin or ibuprofen) can provide temporary relief until you’re able to get to our Federal Way dentist office for an exam. At that point, we can take an X-ray of the tooth to pinpoint the source of your discomfort.
Filling or Crown Falling Off a Tooth — If you have an old dental restoration that’s giving out, biting down on something too hard or sticky could pull it out of your tooth. If that’s the case, avoid chewing on that tooth at all costs. Otherwise, it might break apart and lead to additional problems. While a filling can’t be bonded back into your tooth, sometimes crowns can be recemented into place. Store your crown in a zip-top bag and bring it with you to your appointment. If it’s a front tooth that’s causing major aesthetic woes, try to see us on the same day.
Swollen Gums — Trauma, food trapping, tartar, and other factors can cause occasional gum swelling around teeth. In some situations, it may even be an abscess. Rinse with warm salt water and take Motrin as directed until you can make an appointment. We also recommend cleaning around the tooth with floss in case there is some type of food debris wedged in-between your teeth.
Although our emergency dentistry in Federal Way is typically the best path to care, any major issues such as facial swelling or severe bleeding due to trauma should be addressed at the nearest emergency room, as they could be life-threatening.
Same-Day Emergency Care in Federal Way
Our top priority is to alleviate your discomfort. Whether you have a broken tooth, abscess, or painful toothache, we’ll get you out of pain quickly and if possible, even start on treatment the same day. Depending on the source of your pain, our team will review all the appropriate options with you so that you can help co-plan the best path of care for your situation.
Emergency Care Near You
At Cristel Family Dentistry, we provide same-day emergency dentistry in Federal Way for fast pain relief. In pain? Call our dentist in Federal Way for an appointment. New patients are always welcome!
