Emergency Dental Care       in Havre de Grace

Sometimes, dental emergencies happen to even the most careful and safest of patients. You can lose your balance and slip, get a sports injury to the mouth, or just haven’t kept up with good oral hygiene. These incidents can cause dental appliances to break and teeth to become decayed, chipped, fractured, or even knocked out. 

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to stay calm and seek help immediately. Our Havre de Grace office offers emergency dental services in moments you need it the most. 

You can reach us by calling (410) 939-5800 and a member of our staff will schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If it’s after hours, our regular number and our voicemail will inform you how to get in touch with us.

What is a Dental Emergency?

If you feel persistent, severe pain or discomfort in or around your mouth, it’s likely you’re experiencing a dental emergency. Contact our office right away so Dr. Grubb can assess the damage, relieve your pain, and help prevent further complications.

A dental emergency can be any of the following:

• Severe tooth pain
• Damaged or fractured (broken) teeth
• Trauma in the dental region caused by impact like a fall, collision, or blow
• Teeth that are loose or have fallen out due to trauma
• Swelling or discoloration in the teeth, mouth, or jaw
• An infected or abscessed tooth
• Consistent bleeding in or around the mouth  
• An infected tooth that requires root canal surgery

Whether your injury is caused by sports, an accident, or a fall, it’s common to feel anxious or disoriented. Remember to remain calm and contact us for instructions on what to do.

What to Do During a Dental Emergency

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, we advise that you go to urgent care or the emergency room before giving us a call. Certain emergencies may include persistent bleeding in the mouth or trauma to the jaw or face. Once you’re taken care of, we’ll be happy to help you with dental repairs.

From the moment you contact us, we’ll provide you with immediate, personalized assistance. We’ll schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience and provide you with at-home instructions to help alleviate your pain in the meantime.

Dr. Grubb Can Help Save Your Tooth 

If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t let anxiety or fear prevent you from getting the care you need. Dr. Grubb’s advanced experience in intravenous (IV) sedation can help ease any stress and pain, allowing you to feel comfortable and pain-free throughout your treatment.

Accidents happen, and sometimes your teeth can become chipped or damaged. Dr. Grubb has seen it all– numerous patients suffering from cracked, broken, or knocked-out teeth. In some cases, few patients experience severe, piercing pain in the tooth or jaw joint (TMJ symptoms) after experiencing dental trauma.

Should any of these occur to you, the first step is to give us a call at (410) 939-5800 and trust that you’re in good hands here at -Family Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry. No matter the situation, Dr. Grubb and our outstanding team will do everything we can to get you back on track.

Common Dental Emergencies

While most dental emergencies require immediate attention, some can wait until your next appointment. If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing an emergency, call our Havre de Grace practice so we can determine if you need urgent care.

With years of experience, Dr. Grubb has tackled a number of various dental injuries and traumas as a result of a dental emergency.  

Broken, Chipped or Cracked Tooth

If your tooth is broken or cracked, contact us as soon as possible. We’ll assess the damage and determine the best solution for you. If the tooth is too damaged, we may recommend a natural-looking, porcelain crown over to restore and protect the tooth. Cracked or chipped teeth may benefit from tooth-colored bonding to cover dental imperfections.

Missing Tooth

Sometimes, patients with optimal oral health may have a tooth that gets knocked out, loosened, or becomes severely damaged. In the event that this occurs, we’re here to help.

If you can locate the missing tooth, we ask that you bring it to your emergency appointment. Preserve the tooth in a glass of lukewarm water or milk in the meantime. Dr. Grubb will assess the damage and provide you with several options so you don’t have to live with an incomplete smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I lose a tooth and it can’t be replaced?

If your tooth is unable to be replaced due to excessive damage to the roots or blood vessels, Dr. Grubbs offers restoration options to help make your smile good as new. Our tooth replacement solutions include:

• Dental implants are natural-looking, prosthetic teeth made of biocompatible titanium for a strong foundation. They’re surgically placed directly into the jawbone and attached to a beautiful porcelain crown for a complete smile. Implants are crafted to match the look and feel of your natural teeth for a seamless-looking appearance. 

• Dental bridges are a natural-looking, minimally invasive restoration used to fill in any gaps in your smile. Using three custom-made, porcelain crowns, Dr. Grubb fuses them together to effectively support your adjacent teeth. Similar to dental implants, our team will go the extra mile to ensure your new restoration looks and feels just like your natural teeth.

If you’re suffering from missing teeth, schedule a consultation with Dr. Grubb by filling out a contact form or calling (410) 939-5800. During your consultation, he’ll examine your oral health and discuss your treatment options so you can make an informed decision.

What should I do if I lose a tooth? 

If one or more of your teeth get knocked out, due to an accident or injury, contact us immediately at  (410) 939-5800. In the meantime, Dr. Grubb has put together a few simple instructions to care for your tooth and help manage your pain:

• Only handle the tooth by the crown
• Rinse the tooth with water if it’s dirty
• Place the tooth in a safe container with milk or water 
• Apply  an ice pack to the affected area to reduce swelling 
• Take an over-the-counter reliever to help eliminate pain or discomfort 
• Bite down on gauze to stop the bleeding

How can I prevent dental emergencies?

Sometimes accidents happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared ahead of time to help prevent emergency situations. In addition our patient-friendly tips, our knowledgeable team recommends that you:

• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports
• Wear a night guard to prevent  grinding your teeth while sleeping
• Brush at least twice a day, floss daily, and rinse between meals
• Come in for an appointment prior to any upcoming trips so we can address any issues before they become problematic
• Schedule bi-annual check-ups and teeth cleanings at our Havre de Grace location so we can ensure excellent oral health

What isn’t considered a dental emergency?

Sometimes our dental concerns can wait for a regular appointment. While teeth cleanings can wait for non-emergency appointments, periodontal care due to an infection requires an urgent visit and is necessary to restore your oral health. 

Cases that  don’t require emergency dental care include:

• Cavities that aren’t painful
• Cosmetic services such as teeth whitening
• Extractions of non-painful teeth
• Regular cleanings and check-ups

Is TMJ a dental emergency?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition may develop differently for all patients, but the results are similar: jaw pain, soreness, headaches, ear pains, and more. Patients may not realize that they have TMJ until the symptoms have intensified. 

If you suddenly find that your jaw pain, soreness, or headaches aren’t going away, they could be tied to problems with your temporomandibular joint. Schedule an urgent visit with us for pain relief. We can pinpoint the source of your pain and start you on a path to quality sleep with pain-free mornings.

What is IV sedation?

IV sedation is administered through a vein in the arm or hand and is controlled throughout the duration of your treatment. Contrary to common belief, IV sedation does not “put you to sleep”, but instead causes you to enter into a deep state of relaxation. You can still communicate with Dr. Grubb and our team but may not remember the procedure.

Our Team is Here to Help

We hope you’ll never require emergency dental care, but you can rest assured that our entire Havre de Grace staff is here for you and your family whenever you need immediate treatment. 

Dr. Grubb offers comprehensive services to ensure every member of the family receives the care they deserve. Contact our office by calling (410) 939-5800 or filling out a convenient contact form. We’re here to relieve your pain and help you continue on with your everyday life.