Dental Emergencies

A woman with pain holding her cheek with her hands in Portland, OR.

Brushing and flossing every day are essential components of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Professional dental cleanings and exams are also important. While you do your best to keep your mouth healthy, accidents can happen. When a dental emergency arises, it can often cause serious panic. There are a variety of different dental emergencies, and the severity of your particular situation will determine the course of action that needs to be taken. Oregon Periodontics, P.C. is here to help.

Dealing With Dental Emergencies at Home

While dental emergencies can be scary, not all of them require professional treatment. There are some emergencies that can be handled from the comfort of your own home. One such emergency is a bitten lip, tongue or cheek. If you are bleeding, place a piece of moistened gauze over the wound and apply gentle pressure. If you experience pain or swelling, you can take an over the counter pain reliever or use ice packs. However, if the bleeding is severe, or lasts longer than 15 minutes, then you should seek treatment in an emergency room.

You can also treat certain types of toothaches at home. While some toothaches can indicate an infection, others may just be caused by food stuck between your teeth. If you are experiencing tooth pain, thoroughly brush and floss your teeth, and rinse your mouth with salt water. If nothing is dislodged, or you notice other symptoms of an infection, call our office to schedule an appointment.

Emergency Care in Our Office

Many types of dental emergencies can be treated in our office. When you call, we will work to get you in as soon as possible. Common emergencies we can treat include:

•	Tooth damage. Teeth that have suffered cracks, chips or decay put them at risk for further damage as well as infections. During your appointment, we assess the condition of the damage and determine the best course of action, whether it be a dental crown, a root canal, or even an extraction.
•	Partially dislodged teeth. Teeth that have been knocked partially out of their sockets, or pushed deeper inside, need to be reset. This should not be done on your own. We can reset your tooth and secure it with a splint while the periodontal ligaments and jawbone heal.
•	Teeth that have been knocked out completely. If your tooth has been completely knocked out, we may be able to reseat it in the socket. Find the tooth and rinse it with cool water, making sure not to touch the root. Store the tooth in a jar of milk or salt water until your appointment. If we can, we will set it back in place and secure it with a splint. If the tooth cannot be set back in place, we can discuss options for replacement.

Emergency Treatment in the Emergency Room

While we can provide treatment for a wide variety of dental emergencies, there are certain situations in which you should head straight to the emergency room.

•	You are having trouble breathing.
•	You are experiencing heavy bleeding, or bleeding is lasting longer than 15 minutes.
•	You think that your jaw may be broken.

If you are faced with a dental emergency, we can help you to get the care you need. Call Oregon Periodontics, P.C. right away at (503) 575-7750.

Benefits of

Oregon Periodontics PC

Comfortable operatory experience

Excellent results due to enhanced vision & precision

Rapid healing & minimal discomfort

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Office Hours
Tuesday–Thursday
8:00 AM–3:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM–12:00 PM

Location
11786 Southwest Barnes Rd Suite 210
Portland, OR 97225-5925

Contact
Office: (503) 575-7750
Fax: (503) 531-3560

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