Emergency Dentistry

We understand that dental emergencies happen when you least expect them. At David C. Ashley DMD & Associates, we prioritize urgent cases and do our absolute best to respond to your needs promptly. Whether you require a simple repair like a filling or a more complex restorative procedure, our skilled team is here to help. If an urgent issue arises after hours, our dedicated answering service will immediately route your message directly to our dentists.

The most frequent reasons patients require emergency care are dental accidents and sudden toothaches. Toothaches are typically caused by deep infection or physical injury. If you are suffering from severe oral pain, please do not hesitate to call us immediately. We will schedule you as quickly as possible to diagnose the underlying cause and deliver fast pain relief.

A cracked or completely knocked-out tooth is a critical dental emergency where every minute counts. If your tooth has been knocked out in an accident, seeing a dentist immediately is vital to saving it. While you are on your way to our office, you can take these crucial steps to keep the tooth viable:

  • Handle with care: Pick up the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface) and never touch the root.

  • Attempt reinsertion: Gently try to place the tooth back into its socket if possible.

  • Keep it moist: If it cannot sit in the socket, hold the tooth inside your cheek against your gums, submerge it in a glass of milk, or place it in an ADA-approved tooth preservation kit.

Please note: If you are experiencing a potentially life-threatening emergency, such as severe facial swelling that impacts your breathing or swallowing, bypass the dental office and go straight to the nearest hospital emergency room.

What To Do?

Even if you are a brand-new patient who has never stepped foot in our practice, we are glad to help you when you need us most. Please contact our office immediately if you are in urgent need of care so our team can prepare for your arrival.

Proactive Prevention Tips

While we are always ready to care for you during an emergency, we prefer to help you avoid them altogether. Taking a few proactive precautions can protect your smile from future dental trauma.

Our most essential advice is to treat your smile with care. You only get one set of permanent teeth! Overcoming habits like nail-biting, chewing on pen caps, or using your teeth as tools to open packaging can go a long way in preventing sudden fractures.

Mindful dietary habits also play a major role in long-term dental health. Crunching on ice, hard candies, or highly sticky sweets puts immense stress on your enamel, which can wear teeth down or loosen existing dental work. If a specific food requires excessive force to chew, it is best to avoid it.

 

Sports Safety and Mouthguards

Athletes and children participating in sports should always wear a protective mouthguard during physical activities. While store-bought options are available, a custom-fitted athletic mouthguard provided by a dentist offers superior protection and comfort.

Because even minor tooth movement can alter how a mouthguard sits, we encourage you to bring your sports guard to every routine dental checkup so we can inspect its fit and make any necessary adjustments. After all, you are much more likely to wear a mouthguard consistently when it fits beautifully and comfortably! Incorporating these simple habits can save you from unexpected discomfort and lifelong dental expenses.

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