If you’re having a dental emergency, don’t wait to get the care you need. Get in touch with us as soon as possible to speak with our team and save your smile! Unsure if you’re having a dental emergency? Keep reading.
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I think it's an emergency. What do I do?
It's important to act quickly when it comes to emergency dental care. But it may be tough to know what is a true emergency. If you're dealing with persistent pain, it's a clear sign that something's not right. And if you don't know why it's happening or can't take care of it yourself, it's especially important to seek help. If you've recently injured your mouth or teeth, you should see Dr. Cummings right away. A knocked-out tooth, a cracked tooth, or damaged dental work are emergencies — nothing should be falling out of your mouth! Still unsure? Give us a call and our team will be happy to help you figure it out, get you an appointment right away and give you some tips for self-care in the meantime.
Did you know…
If you lose a tooth, place it in cold milk while you head to your emergency appointment. Source: Mayo Clinic
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Have an Emergency After Hours?
Emergencies don't strictly happen during business hours. For times like these, Dr. Cummings is available after hours by phone at (812) 650-7699 for true emergencies.
Digital X-Rays & Imaging
Better diagnostics means better results. With modern imaging techniques, we can quickly and accurately assess your dental emergency, and create a treatment plan right away, so you can relieve your dental pain and get back to your life.
Problem-Focused Exams
When issues arise, our team can perform problem-focused exams (also known as limited exams) to help address the issues. Limited exams allow us to focus on what’s hurting or injured so we can get you out of pain and back to normal again.
Same-Day Care
During a dental emergency, everything can happen so fast. If you can’t get to a phone, or just need to get help right away, you can walk right into our office and get the immediate care you deserve.
In-House Treatment
Get the treatment you need right away, without waiting on a referral. We provide comprehensive dental care all under one roof, including root canals and oral surgery, so you can get out of pain and back to smiling!
Immediate Implants
Losing a tooth leaves you with a gap in your smile; fill that gap right away with immediate implants. Dental implants can stop you from losing bone mass while restoring your bite, but the longer you go without a tooth, the more likely you are to lose bone, so timely care is crucial. If you've lost a tooth, or require an extraction. Not all cases are suitable for an immediate implant as it depends on a number of factors. Dr. Cummings will be able to effectively tell you what is best for your personal needs.
$59 Emergency Special
No one plans to have a dental emergency, which is why we offer affordable emergency dental exams; you don’t need to wait to get the care you need to relieve your dental pain.
*Valid for new patients only
The Benefits of Emergency Dentistry
Relieve Your Pain
There’s no reason why you should live in discomfort; emergency dentistry alleviates pain so you can live and smile comfortably.
Restore Your Bite
Get your smile back by fixing cracked, chipped, or missing teeth.
Prevent Further Complications
Get treated early and avoid complex problems that arise from tooth infections or lost teeth.
What do I do in a Dental Emergency?
Keep Calm & Reduce Bleeding
Dental injuries can turn a normal day into a stressful and painful experience, but it's important to remain calm. Remember that we are here to assist you. By taking a few deep breaths and assessing the situation, you'll be better equipped to make the right decisions in an emergency. If your dental injury or accident is causing bleeding, apply pressure to the affected area with a clean piece of gauze. Keep the gauze in place until the bleeding stops or until you can reach our office for further treatment.
Control Swelling & Pain
Pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can temporarily reduce pain or swelling. Avoid blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, as they can make it difficult to control bleeding. Along with medication, you can also reduce pain by using a cold compress, such as an ice pack, on the cheek or lip near the affected area.
Call Us Right Away
Give us a call as soon as you have finished your initial first aid. Call us even if you're not certain your situation is an emergency so our team can evaluate the severity of the injury and schedule an appointment with our dentist in Bloomington as soon as possible to provide the necessary care. That way, you can get out of pain and restore the health of your tooth.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the event of a true emergency that has occurred after hours please call the office and follow the prompts or send a message to us on Facebook messenger.
What should I do if I’ve knocked out a tooth?
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If you have accidentally knocked out a tooth, it's important to act quickly to increase the chances of saving it. To recover the tooth, handle it by the crown (the top) rather than the root to prevent any further damage. Rinse the tooth with warm water to remove any debris, being careful not to scrub or use any abrasive materials. If possible, try to gently place the tooth back into its socket. Do not force it into place as it may cause additional damage. If you cannot put the tooth back, store it in a container of cold milk to keep it hydrated until you can get to the dentist.
For knocked-out teeth, time is of the essence, so contact us immediately to get guidance on how to handle the emergency and ensure that we are prepared for your visit. Remember, in order to save the tooth and avoid the need for prosthetics, the tooth should be replaced and splinted within 1-2 hours.
What should I do if my dental work has fallen out?
If you've lost a piece of dental work, such as a filling or crown, it's important to act quickly to protect your oral health. Call us to schedule an appointment so we can treat it as soon as possible.
Losing dental work can expose your teeth to bacteria and lead to further complications. Gently place the dental work in a clean plastic bag or container and bring it with you to your emergency appointment. We understand that losing dental work can be stressful, but rest assured that we'll do everything we can to restore your smile.
What should I do about a severe toothache?
A toothache that lasts for more than two days is a cause for concern. It could be a sign of a tooth infection, which is a serious dental emergency that requires prompt attention. We understand how uncomfortable and distressing tooth pain can be, and we want to provide you relief as soon as possible. If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, please don't hesitate to contact us. We can address your concerns and promptly schedule an appointment. In the meantime, you can use a cold compress on your cheek, take over-the-counter pain medication, or use a topical product like Orajel to numb the tooth and reduce pain.
What should I do about a chipped, broken or cracked tooth?
If you have a cracked, chipped, or broken tooth, it can be difficult to assess the severity of the damage without a professional oral exam. Leaving it untreated can lead to infection and/or cause additional preventable complications. We are right by your side to help and support you in getting your smile back to optimal health. If you experience any of these issues, please don't hesitate to give us a call, we will schedule an appointment to provide you with a thorough examination and proper guidance to restore and protect your smile and alleviate any associated pain.
What should I do about a loose tooth?
If you have a loose tooth from a dental injury, get in touch with us and schedule a same-day appointment. Not treating it in time can damage the nerves supporting your tooth, causing the tooth to fall out. Don’t hesitate to reach out, we are here for you!
After scheduling your appointment, try to keep the tooth as stable as possible. Avoid moving the loose tooth with your tongue or fingers. During your appointment, Dr. Cummings will possibly attach the tooth to the adjacent teeth with a splint as long as that is the best course of action. The splint provides support for the tooth so it can heal and re-attach itself to your gums and jaw.
What is considered a true dental emergency?
Examples of true dental emergencies include:
- Constant, unbearable pain which may coincide with swelling, infection or trouble sleeping
- Post operative pain outside the normal expectations described in your post op paperwork
What is not a true dental emergency?
While some situations may seem like an emergency, there are certain instances in which this may not be the case. Some examples of conditions that are not considered to be a true dental emergency include:
- Slight tooth sensitivity that goes away quickly
- A chipped tooth that has no symptoms
