Emergency Dentistry in Ocoee

If you’ve lost a tooth due to an oral injury, or biting into something hard, it’s important to remain calm. Once you’ve relaxed and are able to assess the situation, recover the knocked-out tooth, if you can find it. Be sure to only hold the tooth by its top, or crown, instead of by the root to avoid damaging it further, and gently rinse the tooth with warm water. After it’s clean, place the tooth back in the socket, being careful not to force the tooth into place. If it doesn’t fit in easily, you can instead place the tooth in a container of cold milk to keep it hydrated while you head to your emergency appointment.

If you’re facing an emergency like a knocked-out tooth, don’t wait to call your dentist. Knocked-out teeth can sometimes be placed back in their sockets, but they only have a short window of 1-2 hours in which they can be saved and splinted by your dentist. Get in touch with us right away for guidance about paint management and what to do in the meantime, then head to our office for treatment.

If your dental crown, filling, bridge, or other piece of dental work falls out, place the appliance in a container or plastic bag to keep it safe until your appointment. Call us right away to book an emergency visit and get the treatment you need.

Toothaches can be more than just painful. If you’re suffering from a severe toothache that doesn’t subside after a few days, a tooth infection could be causing your pain. A tooth infection is a serious dental emergency, but fortunately, root canal therapy can be used to restore and revitalize your tooth, and relieve your oral pain. Call our office if you’re experiencing a toothache, and we’ll be able to help decide if you need a consultation or emergency care from Dr. Dorsey.

A cracked tooth means a crack extends from the chewing surface of your tooth vertically toward the root. The tooth is not yet separated into pieces, though the crack may gradually spread. Early diagnosis is vital in order to save the tooth. If the crack has extended into the pulp, the tooth can be treated with a root canal procedure and a crown to protect the crack from spreading. A cracked tooth that is not treated will progressively worsen. If the crack extends below the gum line, it is no longer treatable, and the tooth will need to be extracted. That’s why early treatment is so important.

While cracked teeth are not completely preventable, you can take some steps to make your teeth less susceptible to cracks:

• Don't chew on hard objects such as ice, unpopped popcorn kernels or pens.
• Don't clench or grind your teeth.
• If you clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, talk to your dentist about getting a retainer or other mouthguard to protect your teeth.
• Wear a mouthguard or protective mask when playing contact sports.