Treating Dental Emergencies in Council Bluffs

Regardless of how diligent your oral hygiene is, emergencies can still happen. At Dillion Woods DDS/Associate Dentists, we recognize that you deserve reliable care whenever a dental emergency occurs. Dr. Jimmie L. Pinkham wants you to know that our team can handle your situation and provide you with skilled and comprehensive treatments during dental emergencies. We operate in a compassionate environment and go the extra mile to ensure you receive the help you need.

We proudly serve families across Council Bluffs, Red Oak, Glenwood, and the nearby communities of Omaha and Missouri Valley. We provide emergency services to patients of record and can schedule same-day appointments whenever necessary. If you are facing an emergency, call now.

CALL US: (712) 328-0708 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

What is Considered a Dental Emergency?

Emergencies may result from accidents or wear over the years, causing sudden pain. When this happens, prompt dental care becomes essential to protect your oral health from serious problems. Dr. Pinkham helps kids and adults with emergencies and makes tooth extraction a last resort.

Dental emergencies include:

• Debilitating toothache from advanced decay or infection
• Knocked out (avulsed) tooth
• Severely fractured or broken tooth
• Lost, cracked, or dislodged restoration

While a toothache isn’t always considered an emergency, it’s still important to schedule a visit and have our dentist examine your tooth. That way, we can determine the source of your discomfort and help you find relief.

Evaluating Your Situation in an Emergency Visit

We have the skills and technology to diagnose and provide care for various dental emergencies promptly. Once you arrive at Dillion Woods DDS/Associate Dentists, we started working right away to determine the source of the problem. Once discovered, our team will help alleviate any discomfort. This also includes asking questions and prepping you for a series of x-rays if required. Dr. Pinkham will then perform a gentle final examination to make sure you’re comfortable before leaving our practice.

Treatments We Offer During an Emergency

At Dillion Woods DDS/Associate Dentists, we use tried-and-true treatment techniques to address your dental emergency. If you experience dental pain, we not only try to relieve your pain, we will also find the root cause and treat your underlying issues. We can help fix or replace a restoration that is causing you discomfort.

If you experience toothache accompanied by gum swelling and pain radiating to your ear and neck, it could mean that the infection has reached the inner pulp of your tooth, and you may need a root canal treatment! In this situation, we are happy to schedule an emergency visit to determine the cause of your pain. If you qualify for root canal therapy, our dentist can perform that treatment for you.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency Until You See Our Dentist

It is crucial to learn about how to handle a dental emergency until you can visit our practice. Taking the right steps beforehand can potentially improve the effectiveness of treatment and may even save your tooth. Some of the emergencies you may face and ways to manage these emergencies are listed below.

Toothache & Sensitivity

Tooth pain is usually an indication of an infection or decay. This means you need to schedule a visit to help you determine the root cause of your pain and provide relief. First, we will deal with your emergency. Then, we will develop a comprehensive plan to avoid future issues.

Until you see our dentist for your emergency appointment, you can use some of these methods to manage your pain:

• Eliminate any debris that may irritate the painful area by rinsing your mouth with warm water.
• Be gentle when you brush or floss, and make sure to stay away from sensitive areas.
• If you are experiencing severe pain, take over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.
• Minimize pain and swelling by applying an ice pack on your face around the affected area.

Knocked-out or Avulsed Tooth

If you have lost a tooth, your immediate action increases the possibility of saving it.

Here is what you need to do:

• Handle the affected tooth with care by holding it by the crown, not the roots!
• If it is not clean, do not use soap. Just rinse it in lukewarm water.
• Preserve the tooth in milk or saliva until you see us.
• If you are bleeding, bite down on a towel, gauze, or cotton pad. Keep applying pressure until bleeding stops.

Lost or Damaged Fillings

It is common for old restorations to start showing wear and tear after years of use, or even fall out. This exposes the portion of your tooth protected by the filling, leaving it vulnerable to damage. In such a situation, scheduling an appointment is essential to repair your tooth.

Until you see us, here is what to do:

• Place the filling in a safe container and bring it to our office.
• If your pain is severe, fill the infected area with temporary dental wax or dental cement. These can be purchased at the pharmacy. Please make sure to use only dental adhesives in your mouth. It is harmful to use adhesives not intended for dental use.

Dental Crowns that Fall Off or Get Damaged

You may lose a dental crown in an accident while eating or due to decay occurring underneath. In this case, you need to contact us immediately to schedule an emergency visit.

Until you get here, you may do the following:

• In some cases, the crown can be placed back on the tooth. If you have it, make sure you keep it in a wet towel until you see our dentist.
• If your tooth experiences sensitivity, use the dental adhesive found at local pharmacies.
• Avoid eating hard foods until the crown is replaced.

Don’t Wait! Call for Emergency Dental Care!

At Dillion Woods DDS/Associate Dentists, Dr. Jimmie L. Pinkham, Jr. and our skilled staff proudly serve families across Council Bluffs, Red Oak, Glenwood, and the nearby communities of Omaha and Missouri Valley. If you are an existing patient and are currently dealing with a dental emergency, call us immediately to get the help you need.

CALL US: (712) 328-0708 REQUEST APPOINTMENT