Emergency Dentistry

Dentistry can’t always be scheduled, sometimes the need for emergency dentistry services arise. When they do, we will work to restore your smile as quickly as possible so that you can put the pain and the injury behind you.

Your Emergency Dentist
in Birmingham, AL

Dental issues and accidents can happen at any time. Sometimes, they require immediate treatment; when that is the case, we are here to assist. If you are searching for emergency dentistry in Birmingham, AL, Hall Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is your solution.

Immediate Assistance When You Need It: Dental emergencies can happen anytime, causing discomfort and anxiety. Our dedicated team recognizes the urgency of such situations and is committed to being your reliable solution for emergency dentistry. We are here to assist whether it’s severe tooth pain, a knocked-out tooth, a fractured crown, or any other urgent dental issue.

Comprehensive Emergency Dental Services: Whether you’re experiencing sudden pain, trauma, or other urgent issues, our emergency dentistry services cover a comprehensive range of treatments. From temporary relief to long-term solutions, we tailor our services to address your specific situation.

Our experienced and knowledgeable team knows that a dental emergency is never easy, but we are here to help and want to get you well as soon as possible. We offer affordable, emergency dental care to get you back in good health. We offer a wide range of emergency dental services and are always available to see patients who need immediate care.

a women in an operating chair having some tooth discomfort
  • What is a dental emergency?

    There are several types of dental emergencies. Dental emergencies can include a sudden and severe toothache, an accident that chips or cracks a tooth, a damaged or loose restoration, or a lost or damaged tooth. About 22 percent of people have experienced dental or oral pain in the last six months. To know if your situation is an emergency, ask yourself the following questions:

    • Are you in severe pain or experiencing severe swelling?
    • Do you have a painful toothache that will not subside?
    • Do you have a loose or knocked-out tooth?
    • Do you have swelling in your cheeks or face combined with a toothache?
    • Are you experiencing extreme tooth sensitivity?
    • Are you bleeding from the mouth that will not stop?
    • Is your jaw injured?

    Any dental problem that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding, alleviate severe pain, or save a tooth is considered an emergency. This consideration also applies to severe infections that can be life-threatening and constitute contacting your dental office.

    Read More About Emergency Dental Care
  • What is not a dental emergency?

    If the problem can be resolved without seeing your dentist, it likely isn’t a dental emergency. For example, a chipped or cracked tooth is only an emergency if the fracture is painful or has left you with trauma inside your mouth, or if you have lost a tooth or filling, you can wait a few days to see your dentist.

  • What’s the best way to handle a dental emergency?

    The best thing to do in a dental emergency is to contact your dentist unless it is extremely severe, then you should go to the emergency room.

    Depending on the dental emergency you are experiencing, there may be some things you can do to help ease your pain and help the situation. Some efforts include:

    • Dissolve a teaspoon of salt into a mug of warm water and use it as a mouthwash
    • If your tooth is knocked out, place it in a glass of milk until you can see your dentist
    • Try flossing to eliminate any gum pressure
    • Use a cold compress on the swelling or painful area
    • Swish with Hydrogen Peroxide to kill bacteria
    • Take over-the-counter pain medication to alleviate pain
  • What should I do if I have a knocked out tooth?

    Don’t touch the roots or top of the tooth. The roots of your teeth are delicate. Only pick up and handle your lost tooth by the sides and chewing surface.

    Clean the tooth gently. You can use water or milk to gently rinse the tooth. Do not try to rub, scrub, dry off, or use soaps or chemicals to clean your lost tooth.

    Put the tooth back in the socket, if possible. Once gently cleaned, you should try to gently replace the tooth, handling only the sides and bottom. Once replaced, you can softly bite down to keep it there. Make sure your tooth is oriented properly and not backward. Do not try to force it if it won’t fit properly.

    If you can’t put it back, keep it moist. Putting the tooth in a glass of milk to soak is a great option. Alternately, you can softly hold the tooth between your gums and cheek. However, this shouldn’t be done with younger children who could swallow the tooth. Don’t use tap water to soak a knocked-out tooth because it could damage the roots. If you don’t have cow’s milk and can’t hold your tooth in its socket or your cheek, spitting into a container and soaking the tooth in saliva is the next best option.

    Call the dentist. Getting to a dentist as quickly as possible is critical. Reattaching a tooth an hour or more after it has been knocked out is possible. However, the sooner you see a dentist, the better the chance of reattaching it.

More Questions?

If you have more questions about emergency dentistry, contact our office or schedule an appointment using the buttons below.

exterior of Hall

Hall Cosmetic & Family Dentistry

6930 Cahaba Valley Rd
Birmingham, AL 35242
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Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday: By Appointment Only
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Phone

(205) 991-7840