Emergency Dental Care in Providence

No matter how good you are at following proper dental hygiene, emergencies can still happen. They can result from accidents or wear and tear over the years that cause your old dental work to fail. Immediate care is key to preventing dental issues from developing into serious problems over time.

At Atwill-Conroy Dental Providence, our passionate dentists William R. Conroy, DDS, Bakhoum M. Girgis, DMD, Kristofer Haggarty, DMD, and Thomas Hernon, DMD understand how serious a dental emergency can be. We are available for same-day emergency appointments as well as after-hours when necessary. If you experience a dental emergency, call our friendly staff to get help today!

CALL US: (401) 351-3090 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

What Should I Do in Case of a Dental Emergency?

Mentioned below are some of the dental emergencies you may face and possible causes behind them, as well as ways to deal with the situation until we see you in our dental practice:

Toothache or Pain

Toothache is usually a sign of infection or decay. If you are experiencing pain, you need to schedule a visit to determine the cause of your pain and help you relieve it. Once we deal with your emergency, we won’t stop there; we will develop a long-term plan to revive your overall oral health and avoid future problems.

Here is what to do until you see our dentists:

• Use warm water to rinse your mouth. This helps you get rid of any debris that irritates the painful area.
• Floss and brush gently and be mindful of sensitive areas.
• If the pain is severe, take Tylenol or another type of over-the-counter pain relief.

Damaged or Lost Filling

After years of use, your filling may come loose or fall out. When this happens, the area protected by the filling is left vulnerable to further damage and decay. You need to schedule an emergency visit to repair the tooth as soon as possible.

Until you see our dentist, here is what you need to do:

• If you find the filling, put it in a safe place and bring it to our office.
• If you experience pain in the affected area, you can temporarily fill it with dental wax or dental cement from the pharmacy. Please, do not use any adhesives in your mouth that are not intended for dental use.

A Damaged or Missing Dental Crown

Loss of a dental crown usually occurs while eating, or due to an accident. Decay underneath the crown can also cause it to become loose. All you need to do is reach out to us and schedule your emergency appointment.

Until you can see us, here is what you need to do:

• In some cases, we can place your crown back on the tooth. If you find the crown, wrap it in wet gauze or a towel and bring it with you when you come to see our dentist.
• If the affected tooth becomes very sensitive to cold or hot temperatures, you can apply a dental adhesive, found in the oral health section of your local pharmacy, to protect the exposed area. Please avoid eating any hard foods and candies until the crown is replaced.

An Avulsed or Knocked-out Tooth

If a tooth is knocked out completely, immediate action increases the chances of saving it.

Here is what to do in case this happens:

• If the knocked-out tooth is dirty, rinse it in cold water. Make sure you handle it with care and do not use soap.
• Preserve your tooth in lightly salted water or milk until you see our dentist.
• If you experience bleeding, apply pressure and an ice pack, until it stops.

A Dislodged or Luxated Tooth

Accidents can result in a dislodged tooth. The tooth can be pushed sideways, or to the outside, or further inside its socket. Our team will help reposition your tooth with a splint that will stay in place for a few weeks. We will check the tooth regularly to see if the nerve and blood supply are intact. If they are not, we will perform a root canal treatment to extract any decay and protect the remaining healthy portion of the tooth.

Here is what to do if this happens:

• To help minimize pain and swelling until our dentist inspects your tooth, use an ice pack on the affected area.
• Use over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.

Chipped Teeth

A chipped tooth can be a result of a simple act, such as trying to open a package or when chewing something hard. When you chip a tooth, it means the enamel is damaged. Leaving it without treatment may result in further damage to your tooth. Our team will create a crown to seal the chipped area and prevent further damage to your teeth.

Until you can see us, here is what you can do:

• If the chipped area of your tooth is bothering you, rinse it with cold water. You can cover it with dental cement to keep it from cutting your lips.
• Use over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.

Urgent Help During Dental Emergencies in Providence

At Atwill-Conroy Dental Providence, we understand that dental emergencies can occur at any time and how painful they can be. Our compassionate staff is promptly available for same-day and after-hours emergency appointments whenever needed.

If you live in Providence or any of the surrounding neighborhoods and have a dental emergency, don’t wait. Call us immediately and get the help you need.

CALL US: (401) 351-3090 REQUEST APPOINTMENT