Emergency Dentistry

Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, but we are here to help you restore your smile quickly and put the pain and injury behind you.

Your Emergency Dentist
in Birmingham, AL

Dental problems and accidents can arise unexpectedly and require prompt medical attention. In such cases, we are always available to assist. If you are searching for emergency dental care services in Birmingham, AL, Hall Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is the right choice.

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 an extensive range of treatments. From temporary relief to long-term solutions, we tailor our services to your 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?

    Dental emergencies can come in different forms, such as a sudden and intense toothache, a chipped or cracked tooth due to an accident, a loose or damaged restoration, or a lost or damaged tooth. Around 22 percent of people have reported experiencing dental or oral pain within the last six months. To determine whether your situation requires immediate attention, ask yourself these questions:

    • Are you in severe pain or experiencing significant swelling?
    • Do you have a toothache that is not subsiding and causing pain?
    • Have you lost a tooth, or has it been knocked out?
    • Are you experiencing unbearable tooth sensitivity?
    • Have you noticed swelling in your cheeks or face along with a toothache?
    • Are you bleeding from your mouth, and won’t the bleeding stop?
    • Have you injured your jaw?

    If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it is likely that you are experiencing a dental emergency that requires urgent treatment to alleviate severe pain, stop bleeding, or save your tooth. It is important to note that severe infections that threaten your life also require immediate attention, so contacting your dentist’s office is highly recommended.

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

    If you can resolve the issue without visiting your dentist, it is probably not considered a dental emergency. For instance, a chipped or cracked tooth is only an emergency if it causes pain or results in trauma inside the mouth. Similarly, if you have lost a filling or a tooth, you can wait a few days before seeing 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 exceptionally 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. Teeth are delicate and can be easily damaged. Instead, only pick up and handle the tooth by its sides and chewing surface.

    Clean the tooth gently. You can use water or milk to rinse the tooth, but avoid rubbing, scrubbing, drying off, or using any soaps or chemicals to clean it.

    Put the tooth back in the socket, if possible. If you can, gently replace the tooth in its socket, handling it only by the sides and bottom. Once it’s in place, softly bite down to keep it there. Make sure the tooth is oriented correctly and not backward. Only force it if it fits appropriately.

    If you can’t put it back, keep it moist. Placing the tooth in a glass of milk to soak is a great option. You can also softly hold the tooth between your gums and cheek, but this isn’t recommended for 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 the 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 essential – the sooner you can reattach the tooth, the better the chances of success. Reattaching a tooth an hour or more after it has been knocked out is possible, but the sooner you see a dentist, the better.

More Questions?

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

picture shows exterior of Hall cosmetic & family dentistry

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