By definition, an emergency never happens according to schedule. And whatever the emergency happens to be, it will usually throw an otherwise normal and enjoyable day into chaos. To curtail the chaos, it helps to be prepared and familiar with the steps that should be immediately taken. If you’re having a dental emergency, then your first step should be to ask for some help. Make a phone call to Cowlitz River Dental at 360-703-9092. Dr. L. Blaine Kennington and his team in Castle Rock, WA, will help to allay your worries and offer prompt emergency dental care.
When you call our office and explain the emergency, we will schedule a same-day appointment if necessary – usually as soon as you can arrive at our office. If you’re not sure whether or not your circumstance is an emergency, then please call our office—don’t wait to see if the pain or discomfort subsides. Let Dr. Kennington and his team help decide whether or not immediate treatment is necessary.
In between the time you talk to someone at Cowlitz River Dental and the time of your appointment, there are steps you can take in each situation to alleviate the pain and possibly even save your tooth.
A knocked out tooth. Perhaps there is no dental emergency more frightening than a knocked out tooth. If you can find the tooth, then having treatment within 30 minutes can mean the difference between losing a tooth and saving a tooth. Call to let us know you’re on the way so we can get ready to treat you. Protect the tooth. Store it in a small container filled with milk or, if no milk is available, wrap it in clean plastic wrap. DO NOT place the tooth in water or wrap it in cloth or tissue. Be careful to handle the tooth only by the crown—avoid touching the tooth’s root and any attached tissue.
A toothache. One of the more common dental emergencies is a toothache, which can be caused by a variety of circumstances. First, check to see if something is stuck between two teeth. Use a toothpick or a string of dental floss and gently try to remove what might be lodged between your teeth and causing pain. If this doesn’t work or if the pain is accompanied with swelling, then place a cold pack on your face near the toothache. Call our office to schedule an emergency appointment. Dr. Kennington will determine the cause of your toothache—perhaps severe decay, a deep fracture or an infection—and treat appropriately.
A chipped tooth. Although the chip may be small, try to find it if possible. Wrap it in a moistened paper towel or immerse in a cup of water and bring it with you to our office. If Dr. Kennington can, he will use it to repair your tooth. Otherwise, we’ll be able to repair your tooth with cosmetic bonding or a porcelain veneer.
Contact Our Office Immediately for a Dental Emergency
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, then call the office of Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA. Dr. Kennington is not only an experienced emergency dentist, he is also a qualified sedation dentist, so you’ll be able to relax during your emergency dental care. Our Castle Rock, WA, office accepts patients from nearby Longview, Ryderwood, Vader, Toledo, Toutle, and beyond.