Emergency Dental Care in Traverse City

At Harborside Dental, we understand the stress and worry that comes with dental pain. We are committed to providing appropriate and timely care. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, we will do our very best to accommodate you the day you call to minimize your pain. If you are experiencing severe swelling or have sustained a traumatic injury, you are seen immediately. We keep an emergency appointment spot open every day for true emergencies.

Is my situation a dental emergency?

Any dental issue that poses an immediate threat to the health of teeth, gums, or jawbone is a dental emergency. The most common dental emergency results from an accident or blow to the mouth. However, a severe or sudden infection may also be an emergency. Please call our office if you are not sure. We will evaluate your symptoms to determine whether it requires immediate attention.

Symptoms that may indicate a dental emergency include:

• Severe toothache
• Extreme sensitivity
• Sore or swollen gums
• Jawbone pain
• Infection (including blood or pus in the mouth)
• Cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
• Damaged or missing fillings or crowns
• An exposed nerve in the tooth

How soon should I be seen?

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact our office. We advise you of your treatment options and schedule you at an appropriate time. If we believe you need immediate attention, we will make sure you are seen as quickly as possible.

What do I do if my tooth is knocked out?

Rinse the tooth with clear water and try to put it back in the socket. If this doesn’t work, place the tooth in water, milk, or saliva to keep it moist. Only handle the tooth by the crown; do not touch the root, and do not rub or clean the tooth. It is always a dental emergency if a tooth is knocked out. Contact us immediately – the sooner you call, the sooner we can see you, and the better the odds of saving your tooth.

If a baby tooth is knocked out that was not loose, leave it out and contact us for instructions.

How can I control the pain?

If you cannot see us immediately, there are ways to minimize your pain until Dr. Krull or Dr. Kozelko can see you:

• Gently rinse the mouth with warm water
• Take over the counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Apply an ice pack to your cheek
• Avoid hot and cold food and drinks
• Do not chew using the damaged or painful tooth
• Place cotton over sharp tooth edges
• Dental anesthetics containing benzocaine can provide relief

You may have a chipped or cracked tooth without feeling any pain, but it is still an emergency. If you do not have it treated quickly, you could end up with nerve damage to the tooth’s roots. Even if you are not in pain, contact us for any dental emergencies.

If you have a dental emergency, contact our office at Harborside Dental Phone Number 231-946-0207 for an immediate evaluation over the phone and an emergency appointment. We make every effort to see our patients the same day for any dental emergencies.