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Knowing what to do when you’re faced with a dental emergency can be the difference between saving a tooth and losing one. In Fresno, the important thing to remember is that OnCall Dental is available 24/7.

A bad toothache at night, a chipped, cracked, or knocked out tooth, a lost filling or crown – there are lots of things that are considered dental emergencies. Even before you head to our office, there are things you can do at home:

• If you get a cracked tooth, the first thing to do is clean out your mouth by rinsing with warm water. Cold compresses can help to keep the swelling down. Then get in your care and drive our office. (Better still, have someone drive you.)
• Do the same thing if you bite your lip or tongue: clean it gently by rinsing it with water, and then apply a cold compress.
• A lot of our emergencies involve a knocked out tooth. All it takes is an accidental an elbow to the jaw. If you have a knocked out tooth, time is a critical factor. Try putting the tooth back into your jaw, making sure not to touch its root. Don’t waste time with this, though; you could also place it between your cheek and gums, or even in some milk. The most important thing is to get professional help ASAP. If you see us within an hour of your accident, chances are good the tooth can be saved.

These are only a few of the dental emergencies we treat. There are so many others, like objects stuck between your teeth. Remember that no appointment is necessary at OnCall Dental in Fresno. Walk-ins are always welcome.

Everyone knows that pain is the body’s way of getting your attention, and saying that something is wrong. But how can you tell whether the pain in your mouth is something you can treat with an over-the-counter remedy, or requires a trip to OnCall Dental in Fresno?

Knowing when you should head into to our office is important, but so is knowing when not to! We have some thoughts on that.

• A loose tooth. If it’s your kid, it’s probably no big deal. Children lose their teeth starting around the age of six or seven. But if you’re the one with the loose tooth, it’s anoher matter. Adults should never have loose teeth. A loose tooth may be the result of a trauma, a localized infectio or some other issue. Should you come to our office? Yes.
• Bleeding gums. It’s not uncommon to see a little bleeding when you floss your teeth, especially if you don’t floss on a regular basis. It could, however,  be a sign of gum disease. And if the bleeding is excessive, or it happens over and over, you may be a problem. A trip to our office is a good idea.
• A swollen jaw. Again, this could be result of a trauma. It might also be a sign of an infection. If it is accompanied by a fever, a foul taste in your mouth, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, you should absolutely head to our office.
• Toothache. Our first question: how bad is the pain? Where would you place it on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the worst pain? If it’s a five or above, a trip to the office is in order. There are lots of different things that may be causing it, which will determine how we treat it.
• Metallic taste in your mouth. If you’ve had metal fillings in the past, this may be an indication one of them has cracked or become loose. You may have an open filling, and that’s a serious matter. It could lead to new infections and cavities. A trip to our office is in order, right away.

At OnCall Dental in Fresno, emergency dental care is our specialty, and we don’t want you taking any unnecessary chances. You don’t need an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome.

If you have a dental emergency, OnCall Dental in Fresno should be the first place you call. Depending on the nature of the emergency, the sooner we get you in the office the better the chance of a successful outcome.

But first, ask yourself: is it a genuine emergency? If you have an accident involving your teeth or mouth, it doesn’t necessarily require immediate attention.

What Constitutes A Dental Emergency?

Here are some of the things you should consider:

• Were you hit in the mouth or face?
• Is there bleeding and/or swelling?
• Are there any loose teeth?
• Is there a lot of pain?
• Are there any bulges, knots, or swelling in your gums?

If your answer to any of the above is yes, then you have a dental emergency and you should make a beeline to our office.

If you’ve knocked out a tooth, then there is absolutely no doubt: it’s an emergency, and we need to see you immediately. Knocked out teeth present a small window for treatment, but if we see you within that window – at most, about an hour – then the chances are good your tooth can be saved.

Accidents can happen at any time of the day or night. They can be frightening, but some dental issues, like a toothache or even a chipped tooth, can wait for regular office hours. We suggest calling us to be sure, and our phones are answered 24/7. But if there is no severe pain and no bleeding you may not require immediate treatment.

But if there is the slightest doubt, please call us at OnCall Dental in Fresno. Emergency dental care is our specialty. You don’t need an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome.

Something stuck between teeth might not sound like it’s a dental emergency. But try telling that to the person with an immoveable object lodged between a couple of teeth. It can most definitely be a dental emergency, and at OnCall Dental in Fresno, we can help.

Getting something stuck between your teeth can be not only uncomfortable, it can be painful. We specialize in dental emergencies, and whatever it is that’s stuck, we can get it out.

First, though, there are a few things you can try at home:

• Dental floss. Tried that first, right? It may or may not work. If you have some, use waxed floss, but if you don’t use whatever is at hand. Working slowly and gently, you may be able to work the floss between your teeth and below the stuck object, and then lift it out. On the other hand, the floss may shred.
• Knotted floss. If you can work floss between the teeth and below the object, try doing it with a knot tied to one end of the floss. Make sure the knot is on the inside of the teeth. Pull the floss taut (but not too taut) and see if you can catch the stuck object, and dislodge it.
• Toothpicks. We generally frown on toothpicks. Consider it a last resort. Before using one, try an inter-dental pick; they’re much softer, but rigid enough for what you need to do. Use one or the other to work the object loose
• Wedge. You can also trying wedging that toothpick between your teeth. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then try working it in a little further. Then go back to that knotted floss described above.

Each of these techniques must be done with great care. You don’t want to hurt your gums, or get that object stuck even worse. And remember, never use anything sharp and metallic, like a needle.

If nothing works, head for OnCall Dental in Fresno. Dental emergencies are our specialty, and we’ll remove that stuck object. We also provide dental implants. Keep us in your phone contacts. You don’t need an appointment; walk-ins are always welcome.