Our Services / Emergency Dentistry

What is emergency dentistry?

Dental emergencies are any oral health issue that can’t wait for a regularly scheduled appointment. The most common types of dental emergencies include:

• Severe tooth pain
• Cracked or fractured teeth
• Losing a dental restoration (fillings or crown)
• Broken or chipped tooth
• Partially or fully knocked-out tooth

Damage or injury to soft tissues such as gums, tongue, lips, or the inside of your cheeks may also require emergency dentistry. You may also need emergency dentistry if you have dental implants, orthodontics, or other dental appliances installed in your mouth that become loose or damaged due to injury.

Do I need emergency dentistry or can it wait?

Sometimes it’s obvious that you need emergency dentistry, but there are situations when you may not know for sure. For example, if an injury knocks a tooth out of your mouth or it becomes partially dislodged, you need emergency dentistry to prevent further damage. 

You should also seek emergency dentistry if a dental appliance, implant, or crown becomes dislodged or loose, or if you experience severe pain and swelling in your mouth. If you experience head or neck injuries, visit the emergency room before seeking emergency dentistry even if your teeth are also damaged from the injury.

On the other hand, if you notice a small chip in a tooth, you can probably call and schedule an appointment for dental care. Or if your gums bleed a little when you brush your teeth, you can wait for your routine annual cleaning and dental exam.

If you’re not sure whether your situation requires emergency dentistry or not, call Franklin Square Dental for advice. The team is committed to providing after-hours emergency dentistry to patients in need.

What should I do before seeking emergency dentistry?

You can improve your odds of saving your teeth in certain situations if you take some precautionary measures prior to visiting Franklin Square Dental for emergency dental care. 

Knocked out tooth

If one or more teeth get knocked out of your mouth, don’t touch the root. Try to place the tooth back in the socket of your gums, if possible, but don’t force it. If you’re unable to hold the tooth in the socket, place it between your cheek and gum, or in a container of milk.

Hold a cold, wet compress against your face to stop bleeding and reduce swelling.

Soft tissue injuries

If you have cuts or have accidentally bitten through your lip or tongue, gently clean the area with water. Use a cold compress to stop bleeding. If the bites or cuts require stitches, seek medical care before visiting Franklin Square Dental for emergency dentistry.

The Franklin Square Dental team understands accidents happen — and they don’t always wait for office hours. If you experience trauma, accident, or injury to your teeth that can’t wait a few days for a regularly scheduled appointment, call the office or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment today.