Emergency Dentistry in Jacksonville, FL
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What Symptoms May Indicate You Have a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies require immediate professional attention to prevent further complications or permanent damage. Recognizing these warning signs can help you determine when to seek urgent dental care rather than waiting for a regular general dentistry appointment.
Some signs you may have a dental emergency include the following:
Persistent Tooth Pain
Severe, persistent tooth pain that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter pain relievers often signals a serious problem such as an abscess, infection, or deep cavity. This pain might radiate to your jaw, ear, or head.
Swelling
Significant swelling in your face, gums, or around a tooth typically indicates infection, which can spread quickly and become dangerous if left untreated. This swelling may be accompanied by fever, a sign your body is fighting infection.
Bleeding
Bleeding that doesn’t stop after applying pressure for 15 to 20 minutes requires immediate care, whether from an injury or occurring spontaneously after procedures like extractions.
Knocked-Out or Loose Teeth
A knocked-out or severely loosened tooth constitutes an emergency where time is critical. The tooth has the best chance of being saved if treated within one to two hours.
Broken Teeth
Broken teeth with sharp edges that cause pain or lacerate soft tissues, or fractures exposing the tooth’s nerve, need prompt attention to prevent infection and further damage.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess, characterized by a painful, pus-filled swelling, requires immediate treatment as the infection can spread to other parts of your body and potentially become life-threatening.
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact our dental office right away. Our team of emergency dental professionals can reserve time for emergency appointments or provide after-hours contact information for urgent situations.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
We Take All Insurance Including Medicaid and Medicare
Comprehensive dental care accessible to all families regardless of insurance type or coverage limitations.
Common Types of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly and require prompt attention to prevent further complications. Knowing the different types of dental emergencies can help you recognize when immediate care is needed rather than waiting for a regular appointment.
A Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies. When a tooth is completely dislodged from its socket due to trauma, time is critical. For the best chance of saving the tooth, it should be gently rinsed without scrubbing, kept moist, preferably in milk or saliva, and professional care should be sought within 30-60 minutes.
Tooth Fractures
Tooth fractures vary in severity but often require immediate attention. Cracked teeth may cause intermittent pain, especially when chewing, and can worsen if left untreated. Chips that expose the inner pulp or nerve can be extremely painful and risk infection if not promptly addressed. Even minor chips with sharp edges can lacerate soft tissues and should be smoothed by a dentist.
Abscesses
Abscesses are infections that create pockets of pus in different parts of a tooth or the surrounding gum tissue. These painful swellings can cause throbbing pain, sensitivity to temperature, facial swelling, fever, and even difficulty breathing or swallowing in severe cases. Dental abscesses require immediate treatment as the infection can spread to other parts of the body.
Lost Fillings or Crowns
Lost fillings or crowns constitute another common emergency. When fillings or crowns fall out, the exposed tooth may become extremely sensitive and vulnerable to further damage. While temporary measures like dental cement from a pharmacy can provide short-term protection, professional replacement is necessary.
Severe Toothaches
Severe toothaches that persist despite over-the-counter pain relievers often indicate deep decay, infection, or damage to the nerve. The pain may be accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth, all signs pointing to the need for urgent dental care.
Objects Stuck Between Teeth
Objects lodged between teeth can cause significant pain and lead to infection if not removed. While gentle flossing might dislodge food particles, never use sharp objects to remove anything stuck between teeth, as this could damage gum tissue or the teeth themselves.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries, including cuts, tears, or lacerations to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue, often bleed profusely due to the rich blood supply to these areas. Controlling bleeding and seeking prompt attention is essential to prevent infection and ensure proper healing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies in Jacksonville, FL
What should I do if I have a knocked out tooth?
A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies and requires fast action. You should gently rinse the tooth without scrubbing it and try to place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, keep it moist in milk or your saliva. Then, call an emergency dentist right away to schedule an emergency dental appointment. Acting within 30–60 minutes greatly improves the chances of saving your tooth.
When is tooth pain considered a dental emergency?
Severe pain that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter medications may signal a serious problem like an infection, abscess, or damaged tooth enamel. This kind of pain may radiate to your jaw or ear and should never be ignored. If you’re experiencing this type of discomfort, it’s time to contact an emergency dentist to assess the need for emergency dental services. Delaying care could make the issue worse or result in tooth loss.
What are the most common dental emergencies?
Some of the most common dental emergencies include a knocked-out tooth, severe pain from an abscess or fracture, lost crowns or fillings, and soft tissue injuries. These problems can worsen without prompt treatment, leading to complications like infection or permanent damage. If you’re facing any of these issues, it’s best to schedule an emergency dental appointment with a qualified provider who offers emergency dental care.
How do I know if I need emergency dental care or can wait for a regular appointment?
If you’re experiencing intense pain, bleeding, facial swelling, or have a knocked-out tooth, you likely need emergency dental care. These symptoms can indicate infection, trauma, or other serious issues that require immediate attention. Less urgent issues like minor chips or mild sensitivity may be able to wait, but when in doubt, call an emergency dentist. Acting fast helps protect your oral health and may prevent the need for more extensive procedures like dental implants.
Can wisdom teeth cause dental emergencies?
Yes, impacted or infected wisdom teeth are a common source of dental emergencies. They can lead to swelling, severe pain, difficulty opening your mouth, and even infection. If your wisdom teeth are causing discomfort or have partially erupted and become trapped, it’s important to schedule an emergency dental appointment. In some cases, removal may be necessary to relieve symptoms and prevent further complications to nearby teeth and tooth enamel.
More than five million teeth are knocked out every year in both children and adults.
The Importance of Prompt Emergency Care
Same-Day Dental Care
Same-day dental care ensures you can resolve your dental emergency quickly and get the care you need from your dentist right away. Putting off treatment can put you at risk for more serious complications. For example, a broken tooth that could be easily treated with a dental crown might become infected and require a root canal if left untreated. Delaying treatment also forces you to deal with pain that you simply don’t need to live with.
The sooner you see a dentist for your dental emergency, the sooner you’ll be on your way back to optimal dental health. We offer same-day care to ensure you get the treatment you need when you need it.
Weekend Appointments
With weekend appointments, you don’t have to wait until Monday to get the dental care you need. We offer limited weekend hours and appointments by request, which ensures you can get emergency dental care as soon as possible, avoid common complications related to damaged teeth, and get relief from your pain and discomfort. Call now for more information.
Common Emergency Procedures
Depending on your issue, your dentist may suggest any number of treatments to get you back to normal. Dental crowns, for instance, are commonly used to treat broken, damaged, or seriously-decayed teeth. If you’ve been experiencing a severe or chronic toothache, an infection may be the culprit, and your dentist may recommend root canal therapy. Other common procedures include tooth splinting, which is used to stabilize a loose or knocked-out tooth and allow it to heal. More rarely, tooth extractions may be required to remove seriously damaged teeth that cannot be treated with alternative methods of restorative care.
Putting a knocked out tooth in milk, not water, can preserve the root while you head to your emergency appointment.
Why Should You Go to JAX Dental Studio for Your Dental Care?
At JAX Dental Studio, we believe choosing the right dental practice is crucial for your long-term oral health, so we encourage you to contact us to experience the difference. When you visit our Jacksonville office, you’ll experience a perfect blend of advanced technology and compassionate care in a comfortable environment designed with your needs in mind. Our dedication to continuing education goes beyond the minimum state requirements.
We pride ourselves on providing personalized care that addresses your unique dental needs. Unlike large dental service organizations, where you might feel like just another patient, we take the time to know you personally and understand your specific concerns and goals for your smile. Our team listens carefully and explains all treatment options thoroughly so you can make informed decisions about your dental health.
Our modern facility features state-of-the-art technology, including the innovative Life Meter technology, making us pioneers in dental care in the Jacksonville area. This advanced equipment allows us to deliver more precise diagnoses and more comfortable treatments with better outcomes.
We accept most major dental insurance plans including BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Cigna, Florida Combined Life, and Aetna. Our knowledgeable team can help you understand the differences between in-network and out-of-network benefits and maximize your coverage, regardless of your provider. We also offer flexible financing options to make quality dental care accessible to everyone.
If left untreated, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of your body.
