No question about it – a dental emergency can really wreck your day.
Whether you woke up with sharp pain in your tooth or you were hit in the face by a surprise fly ball during your recreation league softball game, you need help and you need it quickly.
If you need emergency dentistry in Anchorage, AK, you can turn to Turnagain Dental. We leave space in our schedule every day for the inevitable emergencies, so call us right away so we can get you in to assess the emergency and provide necessary treatment.
It’s important to note that a dental office is set up to handle dental emergencies, not more serious or life-threatening issues. If you suspect a concussion or a broken bone or you are bleeding or having difficulty breathing, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately. We can deal with your dental emergency once you are safe!
If you are a patient of record with Turnagain Dental and your emergency has happened after business hours (as is common for all kinds of emergencies!), don’t worry! We’ve still got you covered! Call the office number and you’ll be provided with instructions for contacting Dr. Kennedy after hours so that he can triage you and provide you with recommendations to keep you comfortable until we can see you.
Here are the most common dental emergencies we see and what you can do until you can get in to our Anchorage dental office:
Knocked-out or displaced teeth – If the tooth is knocked completely out, find the tooth (if possible) and handle it carefully, by the crown only. Rinse it in warm water, but don’t scrub and take care to not disturb the fragile tissue attached to the root. Place it in a cup of milk, salt water, or even your own saliva and contact us immediately. Ice packs and an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory can help with the pain and swelling.
Lost restorations – You can purchase over-the-counter dental cement at many pharmacies, and this can be used to temporarily hold a lost crown or other restoration. Call us so that we can replace the restoration more permanently. If you are feeling discomfort, apply ice packs and take Tylenol or ibuprofen.
Abscesses and other infections – Infections in the teeth and gums can be incredibly painful. Call us right away. Infections should be handled quickly because they can spread to other teeth or even other areas of your body. A salt-water rinse and over-the-counter medication will help with the discomfort, and ice packs will help with the swelling.
Bottom line – if you are in pain, call us right away! We are here to help you.