Emergency Dentist Rapid City

Toothaches

• Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? There are several potential causes for toothaches and not all are considered urgent. You might require an emergency appointment if you experience:
• Pain lasting 24+ hours
• A sharp sensation when biting down
• Sensitivity that lasts more than 30 seconds
• The affected tooth looks darker than the others
• A small lump has developed on the gums near the sore tooth
• Other signs of infection like fever, swelling, or fatigue
• How You Should Handle a Toothache: You can floss gently to remove any potentially trapped objects that might cause pain, then rinse your mouth out with water to gently remove debris. You can apply a cold compress or try over-the-counter pain medications to help reduce throbbing until you arrive for your appointment.
• How We Treat Toothaches: Our team in Rapid City will examine your mouth and take X-rays or other images to determine the underlying issue and the extent of the damage. The treatment depends on the cause, and might include filling cavities, deep cleaning your gums, a root canal procedure, or an extraction.

Chipped Teeth

• Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Damaged enamel doesn’t heal itself, and even minor chips make it easier for bacteria to penetrate your tooth. The longer you wait to schedule an appointment, the more likely you are to develop additional concerns, like injuries, infection, or decay.
• How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: Try to find the pieces, rinse them gently, and store them safely to bring with you when you arrive at our Rapid City office. Then, you can rinse your mouth to gently remove germs, dirt, or other debris. Try to avoid biting or chewing with the damaged tooth, which can cause additional injury or discomfort.
• How We Treat Chipped Teeth: Depending on the extent of the damage, we may be able to rebuild lost sections of enamel with tooth-colored composite resin, like the kind used to fill cavities. If you’re concerned about aesthetics, we might recommend placing porcelain veneers to enhance your appearance.

Cracked Tooth

• Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Even seemingly minor cracks can extend deeper than you can see and allow bacteria to penetrate your enamel. The longer you wait to be seen, the more likely you are to develop additional injuries or infection.
• How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: Regularly rinse your mouth with water to keep germs at bay, and apply a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain relievers as necessary to address discomfort. You might try placing dental wax over the injured tooth or steer clear of biting or chewing with it.
• How We Treat Cracked Teeth: A customized dental crown made from resilient ceramic is the standard method of treating cracked teeth. However, more minor damage can also sometimes be addressed sufficiently with tooth-colored composite resin. More severely injured teeth might require extraction and replacement.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

If you find yourself with a broken denture, you should contact our Rapid City dental team right away. That is because you should not attempt to wear a broken denture, nor should you have to go for a long time without wearing any denture at all.

How to Handle a Broken Denture

Do not try to repair the denture on your own; you might end up worsening the damage or exposing yourself to toxic chemicals. Instead, store the denture somewhere secure, and bring it with you to your dental appointment.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

Depending on the extent of the damage, we may be able to repair your denture in-house. Otherwise, we may need to send it to a nearby laboratory. There is even a chance that you will need to completely replace your denture.

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A loose permanent tooth is in danger of falling out altogether, so you should seek prompt care, even if you are not in any pain.

How You Should Handle a Loose Permanent Tooth

Avoid doing anything that could cause the tooth to become even looser. For example, you should not wiggle it with your tongue or fingers, nor should you use it to chew any foods.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

We will try to preserve the tooth if possible. If that is not a realistic option, we may need to extract it. Later, you may be able to replace it with a dental implant or another type of prosthetic.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Dental Implants

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

Soft tissue injuries in and around the mouth can seem scary, especially when they bleed a lot. Our team may be able to help you in such a situation.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Rinse the area with water, and then apply pressure with gauze or a clean washcloth until the bleeding subsides. A cold compress can help to reduce swelling. If the bleeding is severe or lasts for more than 10 minutes, visit the local ER.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

We may clean the wound and, if necessary, provide sutures to stitch it closed. If you were injured while playing sports, we may advise you to invest in a custom mouthguard.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Jaw pain can have many causes, some of which constitute an emergency. If the pain is severe or persistent, you should seek professional care in a timely manner.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

If you believe your jaw is broken or dislocated, visit the local ER. Otherwise, give us a call. We may advise you to take pain medications, eat a soft diet, or take other measures to reduce your pain until you can visit us for an assessment.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

The best treatment for jaw pain depends on its cause. For example, you might need a custom mouthguard to prevent nighttime teeth grinding. Or, you might need wisdom tooth extractions, treatment for TMJ disorder, or another type of therapy.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Having debris stuck between your teeth can be annoying! As eager as you are to dislodge the offending item, though, you should not resort to using sharp objects, such as a knife, to knock it out of place. You might accidentally injure your gums. Instead, swish vigorously with water. You can also tie a knot in some floss, insert the floss between your teeth, and move it backward and forward, trying to use the knot to get rid of the offending debris. If your efforts to remove the object are unsuccessful, call our team to request assistance.