Wahpeton Family Dentistry provides emergency dental care for families in Wahpeton and the surrounding areas. If you or a family member has a dental emergency, call 701-642-8566 during regular office hours and we will see you as soon as possible. After hours please listen to the directions on our voicemail and leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If the emergency becomes life threatening, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry refers to any urgent dental situation that needs immediate attention. If the problem can’t or shouldn’t wait until the next day, it is considered to be an emergency. Some situations are urgent, but not emergent, and should be addressed the same day if it occurs during office hours, or possibly the next day if it occurs after hours.
Types of Dental Emergencies
The following situations are considered to be dental emergencies:
- Severe toothache. If you experience severe tooth pain that doesn’t respond to over the counter pain medication, call us right away.
- Knocked out tooth. A knocked out tooth may be saved if it is treated promptly. Pick the tooth up by the crown and avoid touching the roots. Rinse it off and put it back in the socket. Bite down on clean gauze and call us. If you can’t get the tooth back into the socket, put it in a cup of milk and call us right away. The tooth must be put back in place within 30 minutes in order to save the tooth, so don’t wait.
- Broken tooth. If a large portion of a tooth breaks off, save the pieces in milk if you have them and call us immediately. Sometimes the pieces of a broken tooth can be put back together.
- Soft tissue injury. In case of an injury to the soft tissue of the mouth, such as a cut lip or cheek, that is deep or with uncontrolled bleeding, call us right away. If bleeding becomes severe or the patient loses consciousness, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency department.
The following situations are considered urgent dental situations, but may be able to wait until the next day if our office is closed:
- Mild tooth pain. If you have a toothache that is manageable and our office is closed, call us first thing the next day when we open.
- Cracked tooth. A tooth that is cracked but still whole and not causing severe pain may be able to wait until the next day if our office is closed.
- Lost filling. A lost filling is not an emergency unless it is causing you severe pain.
- Loose crown. A crown that is loose or has come off the tooth can usually wait until regular office hours.
- Broken orthodontic appliance. If an orthodontic appliance is broken or comes off a tooth after we are closed, it can be addressed the next day.
Why Choose Wahpeton Family Dentistry?
We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful and even frightening, which is why we offer emergency dental care. We will do everything possible to save your tooth or teeth, even providing care after hours if necessary. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any urgent dental situation, even if you’re not sure how serious it is. It is always best to contact us so that we can assess the situation and determine what, if any, care is needed. We are here for you and your family providing calm, professional treatment in stressful moments.