We are open during the evenings and weekends. In the event of a dental emergency, contact us and we will usually be able to fit you in on the same day. In the meantime, here are some suggestions for you if you are experiencing a dental emergency, and unable to seek help right away.
Sudden-onset toothache? Classic dental emergency
Never, ever, ignore a toothache, even if the pain seemingly vanished. Often this means that the nerve of the tooth has died, giving you temporary relief, but the bacteria that caused the problem is still lingering inside the tooth. Inevitably this bacteria will cause a future, potentially life-threatening infection, which may require removal of the tooth. When you experience a toothache:
- Pay attention to the specifics of the pain. Mentally take note of how long the pain lasts, whether you see any swelling, and what seems to trigger it (pressure, hot, cold, etc)
- Use OTC pain relievers like Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen (Tylenol), or Naproxen (Aleve)
- Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water or saline. This won’t heal an infection or “cure” the problem but it can ease the gum swelling.
- Contact Pure Dental Arts in Seattle right away for emergency dental care.
