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Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can turn the best days into a traumatic experience. At Valley View Dental, Dr. Jennifer Miller and her team provides the quality dental care that you need, right when you need it. With numerous services at the ready, we will provide you with comfort and relief in the event of a dental emergency

Dental Emergencies can be

  • Toothaches
  • Chipped and broken teeth
  • Tooth is Knocked out from trauma
  • Lost filling or crown
  • Swelling of the jaw or face needs to be seen right away

Feel free to call our office right away for the earliest possible appointment: 507-934-3332

Dr. Miller is available after hours for dental emergencies if needed.

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

There are typically two types of dental emergencies: infection that is caused by poor oral hygiene or sudden injury/trauma to the face. We can treat both types of these emergencies when you get to our practice, but it’s important that you know what to do in the meantime:

Toothaches

Toothaches can be incredibly painful, and they can come out of nowhere. First, try flossing around the area because sometimes relief can be as simple as removing some debris. If your pain persists, contact our office right away. You may need a root canal to remove the infected or decayed dental pulp inside of your tooth. In other cases, we may prescribe antibiotics to rid infection.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

If you crack or chip a tooth, try to pick up the pieces and keep them safe. Apply gauze to the affected area and you can use a cold compress to reduce any swelling. When you get to our office, we may be able to repair your tooth. However, if it is too damaged, we may have to extract it. Tooth extraction is always our last option, but sometimes it’s necessary to get our patients out of pain as soon as possible.

Knocked-Out Tooth

If your tooth gets knocked-out, grab it by the crown and rinse it off to avoid damaging its roots. If you can get into our office soon enough, we may be able to successfully replant your tooth. Until then, try to put it back in your socket, holding it place with your tongue. If this isn’t possible, store it in water or milk to keep it moist.

Lost Filling/Crown

A lost crown or filling can be painful because it exposes the sensitive inside portion of your tooth. You can use dental cement found at your local drugstore to cover your tooth or even reattach your crown/filling until you can come into our office for treatment.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Unfortunately, dental emergencies can never be completely prevented, but there are some steps you can take to minimize your chances of one occurring:

  • Maintain a daily brushing and flossing routine to keep your teeth healthy.
  • Schedule appointments for routine checkups and cleanings.
  • Avoid using your teeth as tools.
  • Only use your teeth to chew and speak.
  • Avoid chewing on hard items like ice cubes or nutshells.
  • Avoid poor lifestyle habits like regular tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Because there are such a wide-range of dental emergencies, the cost can vary greatly. Some problems can be treated with simple antibiotics, while others may need more extensive dental work. The only way to provide you with a precise estimate is to visit our office. Dr. Miller will carefully examine your mouth to develop a personalized treatment plan that includes cost. We are in-network with multiple major insurance providers and even have financing options if you don’t have a plan.