How To Handle Common Dental Emergencies – Bellevue, WA

Staying Calm by Knowing What to Do

A young woman holding her cheek that is radiating red because of a severe toothache in Bellevue

A serious toothache in Bellevue can leave you pleading for any kind of help as long as the pain subsides. You may be tempted to resort to dangerous or unhealthy measures to stop the discomfort, but the truth is that not knowing what to do when a dental emergency occurs can lead to more severe damage. At Bellevue Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Preet wants you to be prepared should you face a crisis at home, at work, or while on vacation, which is why this page is designed to provide the tips and tricks you need to care for your smile until you can seek professional treatment.

Something Stuck Between Your Teeth

An up-close view of a female using dental floss to remove an object from between her teeth

If you believe there is something stuck between your teeth, all you need to use is waxed dental floss. Gently moving it back and forth, you can dislodge the object and begin to feel immediate relief. If dental floss doesn’t work, you might try a water irrigator (i.e., Waterpik). If there is nothing between your teeth that is causing the pain, it may be a more serious infection that is working its way into the inner layers of your tooth. Until you can reach our office for an examination, it's best to use a cold compress or over-the-counter medication to alleviate discomfort.

Partially Dislodged Tooth

A young man holding the side of his face in pain because of a partially dislodged tooth

A partially or fully dislodged tooth requires timely treatment in order to save it from possible extraction. Should you face this potential emergency, make sure to rinse gently and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. You may also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize discomfort and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. When seeing a member of our team, we will work quickly to try and save your tooth, but if it is necessary to remove it, we will discuss available options to replace it and restore your smile.

Infection

An individual’s exposed top gum that shows a pocket of pus signaling an abscess

A tooth that is severely infected is nothing to put off. By the time an abscess forms, it will require our team to act quickly to prevent further damage to your oral and overall health. If an infection reaches the inner layer of your tooth and is not savable with a root canal, it will require that we remove it. In the meantime, you will want to gently rinse your mouth with warm saltwater multiple times a day to keep the area clean and take a pain reliever to minimize any discomfort you may experience.

Gum/Soft Tissue Injury

A woman barely touching her bottom lip because of an injury that occurred

Soft tissue injuries are quite common. Fortunately, there often heal easily and leave no lasting damage to your smile. Should you bust your lip, bite your tongue, or scratch your gums, apply a damp, clean washcloth to the area for 15-20 minutes to reduce bleeding. Once you have it under control, use a cold compress to lessen the swelling. If you cannot stop the bleeding for any reason, get to a local emergency room as soon as possible for immediate medical attention.

Jaw Pain

A young male wearing a button-down shirt and holding his jaw because of immense pain

If your jaw pain stems from facial trauma resulting in a broken or fractured jaw, don’t wait to go to an emergency dental office in Bellevue. Instead, get to your local ER. However, if your jaw pain is the result of teeth grinding (bruxism) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), our team can provide optimal care to help you achieve relief from the pain and avoid future oral health problems.

Contact Us Today

If you have questions or concerns about a potential dental emergency in Bellevue, contact our team today. We’re here to help you while at home and will work to schedule an appointment as quickly as possible.