Emergency Dentist in Lee's Summit, MO

Do you have a knocked out tooth? Is a painful abscess or toothache keeping you awake at night? Don’t put off treatment in the hopes that the pain will go away on its own. Tooth pain can indicate that something is wrong and should be looked into. 

Dental emergencies can include:

At Luff Dental, we prioritize dental emergencies. If you have a dental emergency, please call us. Most dental emergencies can be treated the same day.

Knocked out tooth - Emergency Dentist in Lee's Summit, MO

Tooth Knocked Out? Here's What You Should Do…

A knocked out tooth can be saved up to an hour outside of its socket. If your tooth has been knocked out, follow these guidelines and see your dentist in Lee's Summit.

1. See if you can reinsert the tooth into its socket.

In some instances it is possible to reinsert a tooth back into the socket without too much force. If you are able to get the tooth back into the socket, you should still visit with your dentist.

2. Avoid cleaning the tooth.

Even if the tooth falls on the ground, resist the impulse to try and clean it as this can damage the tooth.

3. Only handle the tooth by its crown.

Tooth roots are extremely sensitive and can be easily damaged, which can compromise saving the tooth. Therefore, you should only handle the tooth by the crown. 

4. Hold the tooth in your cheek or glass of milk.

If you are unable to reinsert the tooth into its socket, the next-best option is to keep it in your cheek, in a spit-moistened paper towel, or in a glass of milk since it has a pH level similar to human saliva. 

5. Visit a dentist as soon as possible.

Remember, even if you are able to successfully reinsert the tooth, you should still visit with your dentist. A tooth knocked out due to dental trauma might also mean the alveolar ridge is damaged. If a tooth falls out on its own after becoming looks it likely means you are suffering from advanced periodontal disease.  

Tooth pain - Emergency Dentist in Lee's Summit, MO

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Tooth Pain (Even if it Goes Away)

When you experience tooth pain, it usually means that an infection is present. Inflammation is the immune system’s way of counteracting viral and bacterial infections. Although, it’s important to note that tooth pain can also result from gum disease and other sources. 

Gum disease and other conditions usually don't appear out of nowhere. Pain, swelling (inflammation), and bleeding gums are the most common symptoms that an infection is present. While the pain may seem like it comes from nowhere, in reality, conditions such as gum disease form over long periods. 

Here is why you shouldn't ignore a toothache (even if the pain goes away). If you have a toothache that seems to resolve itself in a few days or even a few weeks, it may not mean that the infection has resolved on its own. It might mean that the infection has destroyed the network of nerves within the tooth and may require root canal treatment to save the tooth.

Call Us for Dental Emergencies

If you have a dental emergency, please call us so we can prepare for your arrival.