Emergency Dentist Idaho Falls

Here to Quickly Help Your Hurting Smile

Woman with toothbrush rubbing jaw in pain

Sometimes life can throw us a curveball – but when it comes in the form of a dental emergency, it isn’t always clear how you should handle things. However, the very last thing you should do is panic; this will only make things more difficult! Instead, give Dr. Jenkins and our team here at Discover Family Dental a call. We offer same-day treatment for all kinds of urgent and painful dental situations. If you or a loved one need an emergency dentist in Idaho Falls, contact us for assistance!

 

Why Choose Discover Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Hometown Dentist with Years of Experience
  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
  • Insurance Accepted and Flexible Financing Options

 

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Close up of female dental patient rubbing jaw in pain

As nice and convenient as it would be, dental emergencies don’t resolve on their own; in fact, things tend to worsen without professional care. With that in mind, if you or someone you know suffers a dental emergency in Idaho Falls, here are three simple steps you can follow:

  • Call Our Office – As soon as you realize you’ve hurt your smile, call our office and describe your symptoms over the phone. We’ll let you know if you need to come in ASAP, and in any case, we can provide you with first-aid tips over the phone.
  • Attend Your Same-Day Appointment – Not all emergencies require same-day care, but if yours do, rest assured that Dr. Jenkins wants to get you out of pain immediately. Once you’re here, we can perform an examination, take X-rays if needed, and begin determining the best course of treatment.
  • Receive Urgent Care – Once we know how to treat your situation, we’ll work quickly to resolve your discomfort and ensure that everything is okay with your mouth. This might involve one or multiple different treatments; however, we’re firmly committed to helping you leave without dental pain!<

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Believe it or not, it’s very possible to suffer a dental emergency and also not experience any outright pain – but this doesn’t mean your situation isn’t serious! What’s worse is that a lack of pain might be a sign of something more serious. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to call our Idaho Falls office and explain what happened, so we can start going over your next steps. In the meantime, here’s a brief list of some of the most common dental emergencies we can treat here at our office:

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

If your toothache is stemming from an infection, then your discomfort may eventually go away. However, this isn’t good news; it’s actually due to the nerve being “killed.” Since it’s only a matter of time until the infection spreads to your surrounding teeth and gums (as well as throughout your body), it’s of the utmost importance that you schedule an emergency appointment with Dr. Tracy Jenkins, even if you aren’t in pain anymore.

How Do I Know if My Toothache is an Infection?

The only way to know for certain is by scheduling an emergency exam at our Idaho Falls dental office. That way, we can learn about your symptoms, take the necessary X-rays, and conduct a visual exam. With this information, we can determine if the source of your symptoms – whether it’s a sharp, stabbing pain when biting down or a dull, consistent discomfort – is an infection.

Can the Emergency Room Remove a Tooth?

Usually, hospitals don’t have dentists on-staff. So, the medical professionals there can provide antibiotics and pain medication, but they cannot remove your tooth. That’s why we recommend making your first call to our office. That way, Dr. Tracy Jenkins can alleviate your pain while also addressing the underlying problem.

How Can a Dental Abscess Be Treated?

First, it’s important that we mention that you should NOT attempt to pop a dental abscess on your own. If you notice a pimple-like bump on your gums, then you should schedule an emergency appointment with our Idaho Falls dental team right away. In most cases, we can open and drain the abscess, removing all pus in the process. Sometimes, further restorative care is needed as well, like a root canal. Rest assured, we will review all of this information with you at your appointment so you aren’t left in the dark about anything pertaining to your care – from your treatment options to the price.

Do I Need to Go to The Dentist for A Small Chip in My Tooth?

Yes! Although a same-day appointment may not be necessary, it is important to schedule an exam with us within the next couple of days. That way, we can determine two things: if there’s a risk of an infection developing or the tooth breaking further.

Is It Safe to Repair Dentures with Superglue?

No, it’s not safe to repair dentures with superglue. The reason why is that household adhesives like these contain toxins that are not safe to ingest. Plus, they don’t do well in damp environments, so they wouldn’t have long-term success anyway. If your denture is broken – whether there is a small chip or a large crack down the middle – there’s only one thing to do: call us to schedule an appointment.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

Typically, chronic bad breath stems from eating pungent foods like fish, garlic, and onions. So, if you are struggling to keep your breath minty-fresh, try making some tweaks to your diet. If that doesn’t work, and you have a solid oral hygiene regimen in place, then it’s time to schedule an appointment with us. That way, we can conduct an exam and determine if an untreated oral health issue is the source.

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Several types of toothaches have varying underlying causes, some more urgent than others. You may require a same-day appointment if:

  • You feel a sharp sensation when biting down.
  • You have severe discomfort for more than 24 hours.
  • You feel a sharp sensitivity that lasts more than 30 seconds when eating.
  • There’s a small bum on your gums near the troublesome tooth.
  • You experience fever, swelling, fatigue, or other signs of a serious infection.

How You Should Handle a Toothache. Try flossing gently to ensure there’s no trapped food causing the issue. If that doesn’t help, you can rinse with salt water to naturally disinfect your mouth and reduce throbbing. You can also press a cold compress to that side of your face for a temporary numbing reprieve.

How We Treat Toothaches. We can’t determine a solution until we examine the tooth in question and understand the extent of the damage. If it’s a cavity, we’ll provide a tooth-colored filling. Other common treatments include root canals, dental crowns, and extractions.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? You might not feel like your chipped tooth is urgent, but if your enamel is compromised, your tooth might develop an infection or break even further. It’s better to be seen sooner rather than later.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth. Try to find any missing pieces of your tooth, rinse them, and store them in a clear container to bring with you to your appointment. Then, you can wash your mouth with salt water to clear bacteria. Try not to bite or chew with the damaged portion. You can cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum if there are jagged edges poking the tender tissues in your mouth.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth. Often, the best way to address chips is with composite resin, like the kind used for tooth-colored fillings or dental bonding. However, if the injuries are in a highly-visible spot in your smile, you may want to consider veneers to mask aesthetic flaws.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? A cracked tooth doesn’t always require an immediate dental visit, but you can’t know the full extent of the harm done without professional intervention. The longer you wait to be seen, the likelier you are to develop sensitivity, discomfort, or other issues.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth. Rinse your mouth with water to keep it clean. Also, try not to bite or chew anything with the injured side of your mouth. If you’re feeling sore, it’s usually safe to take over-the-counter solutions like Tylenol or ibuprofen.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth. Cracked teeth often require a dental crown that simultaneously protects them from additional damage while restoring their appearance and functionality. However, if the fracture is minor, we might be able to apply dental bonding to mend it instead.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Cosmetic Dental Bonding

Very Sensitive Teeth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth