Emergency Dentistry – Bonita Springs, FL
Top-Quality Care Right When You Need It
If you experience a medical emergency, you trust that you can call 911 to get the assistance you need. But, if your child develops a painful toothache, or you injure one of your own teeth, the first place you should turn to for help is our practice. Dr. Melanie Pugh and our team have years of experience handling every urgent dental situation you can imagine, so we know exactly how to help patients get the care and relief they need right away. Just give us a call, and we’ll schedule you for a same-day appointment and get you or your loved one on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Why Choose Melanie Pugh, DMD, PA for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Highly-Skilled Team with Decades of Experience
- Compassionate Care That Helps Stop Pain Fast
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
The smartest thing you can do if you suspect you’re dealing with a dental emergency is simply contact our office. Over the phone, describe your situation with as much detail as you can, and our team will let you know what to do next. If necessary, we’ll schedule you for an appointment right away. In the meantime, here are a few things you can do to manage some of the most common dental emergencies.
Toothaches
Start by thoroughly rinsing and flossing around the tooth to remove any debris that might be stuck and causing the pain. If this doesn’t help, go ahead and take an OTC medication and apply a cold compress if there is swelling. Frequently swishing with a warm saltwater solution can provide some temporary relief as well.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Recover as many pieces of the tooth that you can, place them in a safe container, and try to remember to bring them to our office. Apply a cold compress to control pain and swelling, and use a clean rag or gauze and some gentle pressure to stop any bleeding.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Pick up the tooth while ONLY touching the crown, give it a quick rinse, and place it under the tongue. This will keep the tooth alive until we can see you. We can replant a tooth in many cases, but only if you make it to our office within an hour or so of the accident, so be sure to move fast in this situation—we sure will!
Lost Filling/Crown
If you still have the restoration, try to place it back onto the tooth, securing it with a little toothpaste if needed. But, if the restoration is broken or lost, cover the tooth with some sugarless gum. Both of these are just temporary fixes, so be sure to come see us quickly to get a full repair.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
A little prevention goes a long way when it comes to dental emergencies, and fortunately, keeping your teeth safe only requires a few straightforward practices:
- Like to play sports? Great! Just be sure to always wear a mouthguard when you do.
- Your teeth are strong, but not indestructible, so don’t chew on hard items like ice, fingernails, popcorn kernels, pen caps, etc.
- Never use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
- Brush and floss every day and come to see us twice a year for a checkup. These will stop many minor issues before they can become big emergencies.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Our practice is committed to providing affordable care and only recommending what a patient absolutely needs, and this definitely applies to our emergency treatment as well. When you come to see us, we’ll evaluate your situation, go over your treatment options, and work to stop your pain right away before discussing any long-term repair. The cost of your emergency care will vary based on the type and severity of the injury as well as the kind of procedure needed to address it.