Dental Emergencies
Lawrence O'Mallon, DMD
Children's Dentist & Orthodontics located in Jersey City, NJ
When your child suffers from a sudden dental emergency, such as a traumatic tooth injury, you need a dentist you can trust to see you right away. That’s why Lawrence O’Mallon, DMD, offers emergency dental care at his office in Jersey City, New Jersey. If you have any questions concerning a dental emergency, call Dr. O’Mallon. If it's during non-office hours, Dr. O'Mallon is still reachable and able to help.
Dental Emergencies Q & A
What is a dental emergency?
There are many reasons you may need emergency dental care right away, such as:
Extreme tooth pain
Many children experience some level of tooth sensitivity or pain, but it rarely gets bad enough to warrant an emergency dental visit. If your is experiencing tooth pain, especially after going to bed, your child may be suffering from tooth decay, a loose filling, or bacterial infection. Dr. O’Mallon may offer several treatment recommendations.
Traumatic injury
A knocked out tooth requires emergency action, as it’s imperative to reattach the tooth before the gums begin to heal. In this type of situation, it’s essential to gently rinse the fallen tooth and hold it in the tooth socket until you arrive at Dr. O’Mallon’s office.
However, if your child suffered from a severely traumatic injury, such as a baseball hit to the mouth or falling onto to the front teeth, go straight to the emergency room for immediate care and call Dr. O'Mallon right away.
Gum problems
If the wound is not properly cleaned and treated, it could lead to (ADD) nerve damage or infection.
How do I know if my child has dental emergency?
Not every dental emergency is as obvious as a chipped tooth or missing tooth. Some patients may not even realize they are experiencing a dental emergency until it’s too late to fully repair.
If you have a tooth infection or severe tooth decay, watch out for the following warning signs:
- Severe tooth pain
- Sudden tooth sensitivity
- Extreme gum inflammation
- Facial swelling
- Gum pain
- Interrupted sleep, waking up in the middle of the night
- Visible bubble in the gum near the tooth
What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
Always use your best judgment when you have a dental emergency. If you have traumatic facial injuries that require immediate care, even surgery, it’s best to head straight to the emergency room for help.
For tooth pain, gum pain, swelling, jaw pain, or teeth lost due to injury, call Dr. O’Mallon for emergency care. Even if you do not see Dr. O’Mallon right away, his office can give you advice on how to deal with your dental emergency in the meantime.