When dental pain strikes or an accident damages your teeth, knowing what constitutes a true emergency can help you respond appropriately. At Coral West Dental, Dr. Rubel treats a wide range of urgent dental issues in Coralville. Understanding the most common dental emergencies helps you recognize when to seek immediate care.
Here are the five most common dental emergencies and how Coral West Dental can help.
1. Severe Toothache
The Problem
A severe, persistent toothache is one of the most common dental emergencies. The pain may be constant or throbbing, and it often worsens when you eat, drink, or lie down. This type of pain typically indicates tooth decay, an abscess, or infection that requires immediate attention.
How We Help
Dr. Rubel will examine your tooth and take X-rays to identify the source of pain. Treatment may include:
- Removing decay and placing a filling
- Performing a root canal to save an infected tooth
- Prescribing antibiotics for infection
- Providing pain management solutions
Don’t try to tough out severe dental pain. It won’t resolve on its own and can indicate a serious problem.
2. Knocked-Out Tooth
The Problem
A knocked-out permanent tooth is a true dental emergency. Whether from sports, accidents, or falls, losing a tooth requires immediate action. The faster you receive treatment, the better the chance of saving the tooth.
How We Help
Time is critical with avulsed (knocked-out) teeth. Dr. Rubel will:
- Attempt to reimplant the tooth if you arrive within an hour
- Splint the tooth to adjacent teeth for stability
- Monitor healing and provide follow-up care
- Discuss tooth replacement options if reimplantation isn’t possible
If this happens to you, keep the tooth moist (in milk or saliva), handle it by the crown only, and get to our office immediately.
3. Cracked or Broken Tooth
The Problem
Teeth can crack or break from biting hard foods, grinding, trauma, or large old fillings that weaken the tooth structure. Depending on the severity, you may experience sharp pain, sensitivity, or difficulty chewing.
How We Help
Dr. Rubel assesses the extent of damage and recommends appropriate treatment:
- Dental bonding for minor chips
- Crowns for more extensive breaks
- Root canal therapy if the crack extends to the pulp
- Extraction only when the tooth cannot be saved
Even minor chips should be evaluated, as bacteria can enter tiny cracks and cause infection.
4. Lost Filling or Crown
The Problem
Fillings and crowns can fall out due to decay underneath, biting hard foods, or normal wear over time. This exposes sensitive tooth structure and leaves the tooth vulnerable to further damage and pain.
How We Help
Dr. Rubel will:
- Clean and examine the affected tooth
- Replace the filling or crown promptly
- Address any underlying decay or damage
- Provide temporary coverage if a permanent restoration needs to be fabricated
Don’t wait to replace a lost filling or crown. The exposed tooth can deteriorate quickly.
5. Dental Abscess
The Problem
A dental abscess is a serious infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and tooth. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, fever, a foul taste in your mouth, and pus. Left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
How We Help
Dental abscesses require immediate treatment. Dr. Rubel will:
- Drain the abscess to remove infection
- Perform a root canal if the infection is inside the tooth
- Extract the tooth if it cannot be saved
- Prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection
- Provide pain relief
An abscess is a medical emergency. If you have swelling, fever, or difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek immediate care.
When to Call Coral West Dental
Not every dental issue is an emergency, but these situations definitely are:
- Severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
- Knocked-out, cracked, or loose permanent teeth
- Bleeding that won’t stop after 15 minutes of pressure
- Visible signs of infection like swelling or pus
- Trauma to the face or jaw affecting your teeth
Emergency Dental Care You Can Trust
Dr. Rubel and the Coral West Dental team understand that dental emergencies are stressful and painful. We prioritize urgent cases and work to see emergency patients as quickly as possible. Our goal is to relieve your pain, save your natural tooth when possible, and restore your oral health.
Whether you’re dealing with a toothache, broken tooth, or dental abscess, don’t wait for the problem to worsen. Contact Coral West Dental in Coralville immediately for prompt, professional emergency dental care.
