Emergency Dentist in Bradenton

Emergencies, by definition, are unplanned occurrences. Invariably, they occur at the most inconvenient time, and in addition to the stress of a dental emergency, you may have questions on whom to call. Having an emergency preparedness list of telephone numbers can help alleviate your stress and enable you to cope better with the crisis.

If you or a family member have a dental emergency, then call our Bradenton office during regular business hours, and we can help you. If it’s after hours but can wait until the following day, then leave a message, and we’ll call you as soon as we open. Otherwise, go to your closest emergency room. Usually, an ER will have a dentist on call so they can address your dental issue. You may need to see your regular dentist after that, so call us for an appointment.

How Do I Determine If I Have an Emergency?

Pain is your body’s way of notifying you that there’s an issue that you need to address. If you have pain but no other symptoms, you may have an emergency, or you may be able to wait until the following day, depending on your other symptoms. If you have pain in addition to severe bleeding, severe swelling, sudden injury, especially to the face, head, jaw, or teeth, then you need to go to the nearest emergency room first and then come to our office. Call 911 immediately or go directly to the local ER if the above symptoms are accompanied by:

• Chills
• Fever
• Difficulty with breathing or swallowing.

Any of these issues can indicate a life-threatening physical issue as well as a dental issue, so don’t procrastinate. If you have any questions, call our Bradenton office or your nearest emergency room for help or more information.

The following are the six most common dental emergencies we encounter:

1. Abscessed teeth
   An abscessed tooth should not be an emergency because the tooth should not have progressed to the abscessed stage. Occasionally, a tooth can abscess in a day or two, but it usually takes weeks, months, or even years to escalate to this degree of severity. If you have a diseased or infected tooth, don’t delay seeking treatment. Prompt treatment can prevent an abscess from developing, and an abscess can be a life-threatening condition. The bacteria and infection in your abscessed tooth can travel throughout your body and cause disease in your major organs, so get an abscessed or diseased tooth treated without delay.
2. Broken tooth
   Sometimes, you’ll break a tooth. It happens because of age, fragile tooth structure, trauma, or many other reasons. If, in spite of your precautions, you break a tooth, cover the jagged edges with dental wax, so they don’t cut or scrape the inside of your cheek, then call our Bradenton office for an appointment. We’ll see you as soon as possible, although it may be the following day. This type of situation is urgent but may be able to wait a few hours for treatment.
3. Knocked-out tooth
   Young children, teens, and active adults are the most frequent receivers of a knocked-out tooth, but it can happen to anyone of any age. If your tooth gets knocked out, rinse it under warm water, replace it in the socket and hold it by the crown only, then call our Bradenton office. We’ll see you as soon as possible. If it’s after hours, then go directly to the local emergency room. If a knocked-out tooth is treated promptly, it can often be salvaged, so don’t wait.
4. Lost or loose crown or filling
   A lost crown or filling should be addressed promptly, although it may not be an emergency. However, you need to replace it promptly so that the inside of the tooth doesn’t get contaminated with bacteria and infection doesn’t start. If you have a loosened crown or filling, then call us for an appointment. We can re-cement a loose crown or filling, or we can replace it, but if it’s not secured, then it can fall out, and you’ll need to replace it anyway. If you have a lost or loose crown or filling, call us for an appointment.
5. Orthodontic device causing pain
   If you have an orthodontic appliance such as braces, you shouldn’t be in pain. If you are, there’s a problem, so call our Bradenton office during regular business hours. When your appliance fits correctly, you shouldn’t have pain. If your appliance is causing pain, there’s a problem, and it won’t work correctly. This is especially true for braces. If you’re in severe pain, let us know, or go to your local emergency room if it’s after hours.
6. Severe toothache or pressure
   If your severe toothache or pressure has a sudden onset, you should go to your local emergency room immediately because there may be a physical problem. Most emergency rooms have a dentist on call, so if it’s strictly a dental problem, they can address it. However, if it has a physical component, you may need medical care in addition to dental care. This is definitely an emergency.

What If I’m in Pain But Have No Other Symptoms?

 Pain is always symptomatic of a problem; it just depends on the degree and location. You may or may not have an emergency with moderate pain, but if you have severe or sudden onset pain, you have an emergency. You should still call our Bradenton office or call the ER for more information or a recommendation.

Pain is very subjective and depends on the tolerance level of the individual. While the level of pain for one person may be mild, the same pain in another person may be considered excruciating. Since pain always indicates a problem, however, don’t ignore it.

Where Do I Locate an Emergency Dentist in Bradenton?

 If you need an emergency dentist during regular business hours, then call our Bradenton office, and we’ll work with you to get the treatment you need.

Should I Go to the Emergency Room Instead?

If your pain has a physical origin rather than a dental origin, go to the emergency room. If it has a dental origin, then your emergency dentist may be able to treat it.

Be Proactive and Avoid Emergencies

Many dental emergencies, such as an abscessed tooth or a loose filling or crown, can be avoided by a regimen of good oral hygiene. However, emergencies happen, so don’t hesitate to call Manatee Dental of East Bradenton at (941) 538-6339, and we’ll be happy to help you.

We look forward to working with you.