If you have a dental emergency, please contact our Annapolis dental office near you at (410) 268-5503. If you are experiencing excessive and non-stop bleeding, call 911.
We make every attempt to treat emergency dental patients as quickly as possible. If an emergency is taking place during regular office hours, we will try to schedule you on the same day. Calls placed after hours will get a recording for more information. If you are having a major medical emergency, please call 911 or visit the hospital.
Emergency Dentistry in Annapolis, MD
Dental emergencies should be addressed quickly to avoid permanent or costly damage. Common dental emergencies are toothache, pain in the teeth, jaw or gums, broken teeth, knocked out teeth, broken dental fillings and swelling in the gums or mouth.
Knocked Out Tooth
Contact your dentist immediately if you knock out a permanent tooth. If possible, retrieve the tooth. Hold it only by the crown (the top part of the tooth), not the root.
Rinse the tooth gently with water, but do not scrub or remove attached tissue fragments. The best way to store the tooth is in your own saliva. Knocked-out teeth have the best chance for survival if they are returned to the socket within one hour of being knocked out.
Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess is a painful infection that forms near the root of a tooth or in the gums. It happens when bacteria get inside the tooth and create a pocket of pus.
- You may have an abscess if notice:
- Throbbing pain that doesn’t go away
- Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- A bad taste in your mouth
Abscesses don’t heal on their own. Without treatment, the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
Call your dentist immediately if you notice signs of this condition. To ease discomfort, you may rinse with a mild saltwater solution. In our office we can drain the pus and clean the infection. We may recommend a root canal depending on the location of the abscess.
Broken or Lost Filling or Crown
Contact your dentist as soon as possible. Never use glue or adhesives to try and replace the filling or crown yourself. Avoid drinking or eating very hot or very cold foods. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease your discomfort.
Toothache
Contact our dentist as soon as possible. Try rinsing your mouth with warm water or flossing to remove any lodged food. If you have swelling, apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth or cheek.
We will examine your mouth to find the best treatment option. Tooth pain can have many causes. The most common causes are cavities, gum disease, or dental injuries.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Learn more about emergency dentistry in our Annapolis, MD, office with answers to these common questions:
Are you open 24/7 for emergency visits?
Unfortunately, we can’t be open all the time. That being said, we try to accommodate all emergency patients based on:
- Our availability outside of regular appointment hours
- The severity of the issue we must address
Sometimes, our dentists or dental care team can guide you through your dental emergency over the phone until you can come into the office.
When should I call a dentist for emergency dental treatment?
You should call a dentist right away if you’re dealing with any of these serious dental problems:
- Severe tooth pain that won’t go away (especially throbbing pain that keeps you up at night)
- Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw (this could mean infection)
- A knocked-out tooth (time matters – quick treatment might save it)
- A cracked or broken tooth with pain or sharp edges
- Signs of infection like pus, bad taste, or fever
- Bleeding that won’t stop after an injury
Even if your problem starts small but keeps getting worse after a day or two of home care, you should call our dentist. Dental issues often don’t get better on their own. Waiting too long can turn a small problem into a big one.
Will my insurance cover emergency dental care?
It depends on your provider and the issue at hand. We try to make finances the least of your worries when coming in for an emergency visit. Still, asking a customer care representative and your provider for more information may be beneficial when scheduling your emergency visit.
Should I go to the hospital for a dental emergency?
It depends on the severity of your issue. You can always call us for advice, but if you’re in severe pain, you should see a doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away. If you have heavy bleeding that won’t stop, call 911 immediately for help.
You can usually wait to see your dentist for less urgent dental problems like a chipped tooth or mild ache. But when in doubt, it’s better to get checked out if the pain is bad or getting worse.
Will insurance cover a dental emergency?
Most insurance companies will cover preventative care. Treatments for toothaches and swollen and irritated gum tissue are typically covered by insurance. Dental insurance can also partially cover restorative treatments. Replacements for broken restorations or treatments to replace missing teeth fall under restorative dental care.
Is it an emergency if I have an object stuck between my teeth?
No, this is not an emergency. Unless you experience bleeding or severe pain, you will not need immediate treatment. You can contact our office to schedule an appointment so we can free the object. At home, use floss or a toothpick to help dislodge the object. If you cannot remove the object, you can schedule a visit with us so we can gently remove it with our dental tools.
Get Urgent Dental Care Today
Treat immediate dental problems with emergency dentistry services in Annapolis, MD. Schedule an appointment with us online or call (410) 268-5503 if you don’t have an emergency but need dental care. We can help you find the best solution to your dental problems.
