Prompt, Thoughtful Care When You Need It Most

You do not need to know whether your situation officially qualifies as an emergency before contacting us.

If something hurts, feels unusual, or has changed unexpectedly, call our office. A member of our team will ask a few questions, assess the urgency of your concern, and help arrange appropriate care.

Depending on your symptoms and our schedule, we may recommend:

• A same-day emergency appointment
• The next available dental visit
• Immediate evaluation at an emergency department
• Simple steps to protect the area until you can be seen

Calling early gives us the best opportunity to guide you and prevent unnecessary delays.

A toothache can have many possible causes, including decay, a damaged restoration, a crack, inflammation inside the tooth, gum disease, an infection, or pressure related to your bite.

Because the source cannot always be identified based on symptoms alone, a professional evaluation is important.

Until your appointment:

• Keep the area gently clean.
• Rinse with warm water.
• Use floss carefully if food may be trapped between the teeth.
• Avoid placing aspirin directly against the tooth or gums.
• Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary foods if they increase sensitivity.
• Follow the advice of a qualified healthcare professional regarding pain medication.

Do not delay calling if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by swelling or fever.

A tooth can fracture because of an injury, decay, an older restoration, grinding, or biting something hard.

Some cracks are immediately visible, while others cause only intermittent discomfort when chewing or releasing your bite.

If a tooth breaks:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
• Save any pieces you can locate.
• Use a cold compress outside the face if swelling is present.
• Avoid chewing on the affected side.
• Call our office as soon as possible.

Treatment will depend on the location and extent of the damage. Options may include bonding, a filling, a dental crown, root canal therapy, or extraction when the tooth cannot be predictably restored.

A lost restoration can leave the tooth sensitive, uncomfortable, or vulnerable to further damage.

If a filling or crown comes out:

• Save the crown or restoration if you can find it.
• Keep the area gently clean.
• Avoid chewing on the affected tooth.
• Do not use household glue to reattach a crown.
• Call our office for guidance.

Even if the tooth does not hurt, it should be evaluated. The restoration may have loosened because of wear, decay, a fracture, or a change in the underlying tooth.

Depending on its condition, the crown may be recemented or a new restoration may be recommended.

Swelling around a tooth, the gums, jaw, or face may indicate infection or another condition that requires timely evaluation.

Contact us promptly if you notice:

• A swollen or tender area near a tooth
• A bump on the gums
• A bad taste or drainage
• Throbbing discomfort
• Pain when biting
• Fever or feeling unwell
• Increasing facial swelling

Dental infections generally require treatment directed at their source. Antibiotics may be appropriate in certain situations, but they do not replace necessary dental treatment.

If swelling begins to affect breathing or swallowing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Repairing a damaged filling

Recementing or replacing a crown

Stabilizing an injured tooth

Protecting a fractured tooth with a crown

Root canal therapy

Treating a dental infection

Mandarin Dentistry offers same-day emergency appointments when our schedule allows.

Appointment availability and the treatment that can be completed during the visit will depend on:

• The urgency of your symptoms
• The type of treatment required
• The time of your call
• The complexity of the condition
• Whether additional planning or laboratory work is needed

Calling as early in the day as possible gives our team more opportunity to accommodate you.

Not every emergency can be prevented, but you can reduce your risk by:

• Attending regular dental examinations
• Addressing damaged or decayed teeth before they worsen
• Wearing a mouthguard during sports
• Wearing a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth
• Avoiding chewing ice and other very hard objects
• Never using your teeth to open packages or cut materials
• Contacting us when a restoration begins to feel loose or different

Early attention to small changes can sometimes prevent a more urgent problem later.

Call Mandarin Dentistry and tell us what you are experiencing. Our team will help you understand the next step.