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Woke up Missing a Tooth

April 13, 2016

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 8:52 pm

I went to an awesome party last night, but I woke up without a tooth. Do I see an emergency dentist?

Ben A. – San Jose, CA

Ben,

It sounds like quite the party. I’m not sure an emergency dentist will do you much good at this point. It will depend on two things:

  1. Do you have the tooth?
  2. How long has it been since the tooth was knocked out.

Generally, you need to get to the dentist within 30 minutes to have a decent chance of saving it. After that, the chances drop considerably.

What you’ll likely be looking at is tooth replacement. The ideal replacement is a dental implant, but they can be expensive. There are also things like dental bridges that are less money.

Speak to your dentist. He or she will give you all your options.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Swearingen.

New to the state and massive toothache

February 12, 2016

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 8:36 pm

I just moved to the state. I got a maassive toothache, almost suddenly. That’s never happened to me before. I don’t have a dentist yet. I did try calling a couple of dentists in my area, but they all can’t see me for a couple of weeks.  I don’t think I can make it.  Any suggestions?

Myka L. – Boston

Myka,

Boston is a big area. So, I am positive there are dentists there who will see non-established patients. What I would do is an internet search for an emergency dentist. They will see you.

They might not completely fix the problem, but they will get you out of pain, determine the problem and schedule an appointment for a follow up treatment.

If you like them, you may have just found your new dentist. If you didn’t like them, you could schedule with a different dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Denitst Dr. Don Swearingen.

Where do I go if my dentist and I had “words”?

December 15, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 11:07 am

At my last appointment, my dentist and I had an argument. It got pretty heated and both of us were rude. But I feel like, as his customer, he should have been more professional and not gotten rude back. But, now I’m in a bind. I’ve got a massive toothache, but there is no way I am going crawling back to my dentist. Is there such a thing as an emergency dental clinic?

Mandy L. – Queens, NY

Mandy,

There aren’t emergency dental clinics per se, but there are many dentist who will see non-established patients in an emergency situation. Many will see you the same day.  You’ll just have to call around and see who’ll work with you.

While I agree that dentists need to be professional, they are human and get just as frustrated when people are rude to them as you do when people are rude to you.  If you’ve had a good relationship with him in the past, it might be worth it to make ammends.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Does a lightsaber wound require an emergency dentist?

October 14, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 5:44 pm

I was having a lightsaber battle with my son. Things got a little out of hand and I ended up with a bashed mouth.  It seemed to heal OK. I was sore and left my mouth alone that night. The next morning my tooth felt funny when I brushed it.  I touched it and it seems to move. Could I need an emergency dentist?

Gina C. – Scottsdale, AZ

Gina,

The first thing you need to do is stop jiggling it.  If your son stretched the ligaments, then it would be loose.  I would go see a dentist as soon as possible.  He can stabilize the tooth while the ligaments heal. If there is more damage, the sooner you have it looked at the better.

We all knew it was a tough job being a mother, but sometimes you even risk bodily injury.  If you have a dentist already, call him or her. They should get you in right away. If they don’t, then you could call an emergency dentist. They will be willing to get you in quickly. Most even the same day.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

 

Do I wait for my implant dentist or see an emergency dentist?

August 12, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 9:06 pm

I have had a dental implant for a couple of years.  It started bothering me a few months ago. I went to see my dentist and he said it was fine.  Today, I bit on something and got a disgusting taste in my mouth.  I peeked into my mouth and their was puss surrounding my implant.  I tried calling my implant dentist, but he’s not there. I realize it is the weekend.  What should I do? Wait until  he comes back or go to an emergency dentist?

Elizabeth H. – Portland

Elizabeth,

I realize it is the weekend, but I want  you to call your implant dentist anyway.  He likely has a number in case of emergencies like this. They’ll be some kind of protocol in place for emergency cases like yours.

It sounds like you have a pretty severe infection that has been there for a while.  If you want a chance of saving your implant and your health. Don’t put this off.

For that reason, if you can’t reach your implant dentist, then you’ll need to go ahead and call an emergency dentist. This needs to be taken care of.

The emergency dentist will be able to get you out of pain and give you an antibiotic to begin to help you deal with the infection. If possible, he may put a splint on the implant to stabilize it.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

If I have a Juvederm?

June 12, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 8:15 pm

I had a Juvederm filler put in, but now have a dental emergency. My care letter from my procedure says that I shouldn’t apply pressure or move the filler for a couple of weeks.  What do I do if I really need to see the dentist? Will keeping my mouth open move my fillers?

Amanda L. – Ft. Worth

Amanda,

If you have a dental emergency, you definitely need to see your dentist or an emergency dentist if you don’t have one.  Make sure they’re familiar with fillers. Then make them aware that you’ve just had them placed. They can be aware and careful around the fillers to make sure nothing moves.

A quick x-ray may determine that you don’t need any work done immediately. If you do have to have work done, the dentist can be super careful and make preparations for your special condition.

This blog is brought to you Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Meth is ruining my teeth, but I’m afraid the dentist will turn me in

April 15, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 7:24 pm

I’ve been a meth user for a while.  My teeth are starting to rot and I think it’s because of the meth. I should probably go to the dentist, but I’m a little afraid he’ll turn me in. Is there some other excuse I can give him for my teeth?

Name Withheld

Dear Meth User,

It’s much more likely your dentist will focus on your treatment than your meth use. Dentists get into the field because they want to help people.  I think the only time you’d have to be concerned about a dentist turning you in is if he or she thought you were putting anyone in danger. For instance, if you were driving while high on meth.  So long as you come to the dental office without being high you don’t have anything to worry about.

Your teeth are a different story. Meth use is absolutely horrible for your teeth. Meth mouth is what dentists call it. You need to be seen right away.  If you don’t have a dentist, I would see an emergency dentist. They’ll see non-established patients more quickly.  Just explain what is going on.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen

Pediatric dentist banned us from the clinic

March 14, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 9:22 pm

I have an autistic child. She sometimes has an issue where something sets her off and she sits down and screams.  If you try to touch her during these episodes it just makes her worse.  You just need to let her alone and she gets past it.  Unfortunately, my pediatric clinic doesn’t agree and he’s asked us never to come back again.  I am beside myself because it is the only pediatric clinic in our small town.  Do you have any recommendations for how I can change his mind?

Stacy L.- Minnesotta

Stacy,

I’m sorry for the trauma your daughter is going through and for the stress you must feel in her caregiving.  Some practitioners are still unfamiliar with autistic children and their needs.  Many people aren’t aware that children don’t have to see a pediatric dentist. There are general dentists who love treating children.  That should put your mind at ease regarding not having another pediatric clinic in your area.

I suggest you call around in your area. Explain the situation. I’m sure you’ll find a dentist who is sympathetic to your situation and is willing to work with you.  I might even see if  a dentist is willing to schedule your appointments first thing, so your daughter can be brought straight back to the operatory without having to wait. It will help alleviate some of the pressure on you.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Why are there no dental ERs?

February 19, 2015

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 10:05 pm

How come we don’t have dental ERs like we do in medical situations?

Sam K. – Maryland

Sam,

While there aren’t really any dental ERs, there are ways to have a dental emergency treated right away. Some dentists make it a point to be available in emergency situations.  Each dentist handles it a little differently. Some will see only patients after hours. But don’t despair if your dentist doesn’t have after hours clinic services.

If it is a true dental emergency, you can generally find a dentist who is willing to see non-established patients. Just google emergency dentist. They will find out what is wrong and get you out of pain. They may not be able to complete treatment for the root of the problem, but you will no longer feel like putting a knife through your head…not that you mentioned that, but I know what dental pain feels like.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Does store bought filling work?

December 26, 2014

Filed under: Dental Emergency — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 5:55 pm

I’ve got a cavity. I can see the whole.  The other day I saw some store bought filling  in the local drug store. Would that work or do I need to see a dentist? I’m between jobs, so it would really help me if I could work this out on my own.

Millie P. – Maine

Millie,

I’m sorry for what you’re going through. It is difficult to have medical needs when you’ve not got any money. I understand the stress you must be feeling. However, I don’t want you to use this store bought filling to treat yourself.

Think of it as if you were allergic to bees and you have a bee stinging you, but instead of getting the bee off, you simply cover it up and let it keep stinging you, putting its toxins in your body.

You have to deal with the infection. Then the hole can be filled. Most dentists are happy to work within your financial restrictions. Don’t put this off. It will only get worse. If you don’t have a dentist, you could contact and emergency dentist and explain your situation. I’ve even known a couple of dentists who would do pro-bono work in situations like yours. Just be honest. They’ll tell you what they can offer.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

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