Emergency Dental Care

What is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any type of pain or injury caused by physical trauma that requires immediate attention. While dental emergencies are rare, they can happen. If you experience a dental emergency, it’s important to stay calm and contact our office. Whether it’s caused by physical trauma, or any other issue, we’ll always make ourselves available to you.

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, call our Bennington office immediately at (802)-442-9500. When your dental health is at risk, we’ll do everything we can to address the situation as soon as possible.

Common Dental Emergencies & Helpful Tips

Toothaches

A simple toothache from a broken or dislodged crown or bridge, a deep cavity, sensitive gums, or a chipped tooth is typically the least severe of all dental emergencies. If your pain is manageable, you may not need to see us right away. Schedule a consultation with one of our Bennington dentists at your earliest convenience, where we’ll perform an evaluation and determine the best course of treatment.

Cracked Tooth or Filling

A severely cracked tooth or filling can be painful and usually requires immediate attention. A cracked tooth can either be horizontal or vertical and can extend out to the nerve in many cases. A horizontal fracture can usually be treated with restorative procedures, but a vertical fracture typically splits the tooth down the middle and may require tooth extraction. If you’re experiencing a cracked tooth or filling, contact our Bennington office right away at (802)-442-9500.

Dental Abscess

A dental abscess occurs when the nerve of the tooth is infected with bacteria. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to the jaw, mouth, and eventually into the face causing swelling from the infection. Contact our office immediately if you feel you’re suffering from a dental abscess. Treatment involves draining the abscess, however, we may recommend root canal therapy or tooth extraction to get rid of the infection.

Dental Trauma

Dental trauma, also known as facial trauma, usually occurs as a result of an accident or sports injury. Dental trauma includes a variety of common emergencies, including:

Chipped or fractured teeth
Dislodged teeth
Knocked-out teeth

Severely damaged teeth can be extremely painful, especially when the inner layer of the tooth called the dentin becomes exposed. If you’ve damaged your tooth, you’ll want to contact our office immediately to prevent further risk of infection. We may suggest a composite filling, dental crown, or root canal therapy to restore your oral health and alleviate your pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent dental emergencies?

We understand that accidents happen, however some dental emergencies can be prevented by following a few tips, including:

Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports activities to help prevent possible damage to your teeth and gums.
Schedule biannual checkups and cleanings at our Bennington dental office so we can regularly examine your oral health and catch any issues before they become problematic.
Maintain a thorough at-home oral hygiene routine to keep your oral health on track and help prevent issues.

What should I do if I chip, crack, break, or lose a tooth?

In the event that you severely damage your teeth, immediately contact our Bennington office by calling (802)-442-9500. In the meantime, there are things you can do to help prevent any further damage from occurring. Don’t attempt to try and fix the tooth on your own, as this may cause more issues.

If the tooth is chipped, or cracked, keep the pieces preserved as best you can. If the tooth has been knocked out, clean it so it’s free of debris and store it in a container with saline solution to keep the roots from drying out. Avoid lifting the tooth from its roots and try to only touch the crown portion instead. It’s vital to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to help ensure the re-implantation is successful.

Visit Bennington Dental Center for Dental Emergencies

Our Bennington dentists have extensive experience and can provide a variety of solutions to serve your dental needs. If you’re in pain, contact our Bennington practice at (802)-442-9500 to schedule an appointment. We’ll provide you with the relief you need and work to get your oral health back on track.