Emergencies

Emergency Dentist in Maplewood, MN

Comprehensive Dental Care

Maplewood Dental Associates provides high-quality dental care and comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages, serving Maplewood, St. Paul, and the surrounding areas. Although our primary focus is on preventative care, sometimes issues arise that become an emergency.

Our emergency dentists in Maplewood, MN, are here to help. If you experience severe symptoms, don't hesitate to contact our Maplewood emergency dentists immediately.

What is a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies cause significant pain, swelling, and discomfort and can lead to further issues. Generally speaking, any dental problem that requires immediate attention to stop bleeding, save a tooth, or alleviate severe pain is considered an emergency. Additionally, life-threatening infections should be treated immediately.

Types of Dental Emergencies

Traumatic Dental Injuries

Traumatic mouth injuries are serious dental emergencies. The most common traumatic dental injury is a chipped tooth. If your tooth loosens from an injury, you must seek treatment immediately - ideally, within six hours.

The most severe traumatic dental injury occurs when a permanent tooth falls out. Immediate action is required before visiting the dentist to salvage the tooth. Follow these steps:


- Pick up the tooth by its crown, avoiding the root
- Gently rinse the tooth with water
- Attempt to place it back in the socket, applying gentle pressure
- If you're unable to replant it, either tuck the tooth in your cheek or submerge it in cold milk
- Call our emergency dentist in Maplewood, MN

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Tooth Pain

Unexplainable tooth pain requires the knowledge and expertise of a dental professional for diagnosis and treatment. However, a bacterial infection is one of the most common reasons for acute tooth pain.

Until you're able to visit our Maplewood emergency dentist, follow these steps to reduce pain:

- Apply a cold compress
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers

The only way to know what's causing you pain is to seek professional dental care. Call us to make an emergency appointment as soon as possible.

Periodontal Emergencies

Soft tissue injuries and infections can cause excessive bleeding and be extremely painful. Although occasional gum irritation isn't an emergency, bleeding gums accompanied by swelling and pain can indicate an underlying issue.

The most severe gum injury occurs when a foreign object lodges beneath the gum line. If you cannot remove the debris by brushing or flossing, you must visit our emergency dentist in Maplewood immediately. Without professional treatment, it can cause gum irritation, decay, or an infection.

Infections can lead to abscess formation - a pus-filled pocket. An abscess can cause symptoms like fever, persistent toothache, and facial swelling. Call our Maplewood emergency dentists as soon as possible if you develop an abscess, as it can be life-threatening.

There are steps you can take to alleviate less severe soft tissue injuries, cuts, and scrapes:

- Clear away any visible debris
- Rinse your mouth with diluted saltwater
- Slow bleeding with a clean, damp cloth for 10-15 minutes

 

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Orthodontic Emergencies

Although true orthodontic emergencies are rare, they arise and are most commonly caused by trauma, infection, swelling, or other uncontrollable severe pain. In any orthodontic emergency, it's critical to seek immediate attention either from a dental office or the emergency room. Please call your orthodontist or us for advice if your orthodontic appliances are loose, broken, or irritating.
 

How to Avoid a Dental Emergency

Although you cannot avoid a dental emergency, you can perform preventative steps. Visit your dentist regularly to prevent infection. They can catch potential problems before they constitute an emergency.

Many dental emergencies occur due to preventable issues like tooth decay. Ensure you maintain good oral hygiene and a balanced diet. Lastly, trauma-related dental emergencies are hard to predict, but wearing an athletic mouth guard while playing contact sports reduces the chance of injury.

Contact Your Emergency Dentist in Maplewood, MN, Today

Dental emergencies are scary, but rest assured that we're here when you need us most. If you experience a dental emergency or have any questions about what to do in case of a dental emergency, please contact our Maplewood dental office at 651-390-7288.

If you believe the emergency is life-threatening or severe, you should call 911 first. You can also reach out to us via email, or schedule a routine non-emergency appointment using our easy online form. We're always here to help you with any dental issue—call us today to get started!

 
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