Emergency Dental Care

Dental emergencies in Sioux Falls are an unfortunate part of life. You’re eating something crunchy, and suddenly, a tooth cracks, or you wake up with swelling and pain in your jaw. Many people head straight to the emergency room when they have tooth pain. The truth is that this is inefficient and usually not very helpful.

Most emergency rooms aren’t set up to handle dental emergencies. They might be able to give you some antibiotics if an infection causes your emergency, but they will still advise you to see your dentist as soon as possible. You will likely be hit with a considerable co-pay or bill for this small service.

Call our office instead.

We’ll get you in quickly, relieve your pain, and devise a treatment plan for your problem. This will save you money and time, not to mention days of dental pain. Of course, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please go to your local emergency room.

What are the most common reasons that people need emergency dental care?

Sudden Tooth Pain or Toothache

Significant tooth pain without apparent cause results in many emergency dental visits. Tooth pain should never be ignored. Many severe conditions can cause tooth pain, including:

• Cavities that have penetrated deep into the tooth
• Advanced gum disease
• An abscessed tooth
• Exposed tooth roots
• An impacted tooth

These conditions should be treated promptly to prevent further damage to the tooth or the spreading of the infection.

Chipped or Fractured Teeth 

Chipped or broken teeth can be caused by sudden mouth trauma or simply biting down on a hard object. Sometimes, this happens because you had a cavity and didn’t know it, and the internal structure has been weakened. Keep the chip or piece that broke off the tooth and bring it to your appointment if possible.

Lost Teeth

Whether your tooth was knocked out due to an injury or lost for no apparent reason, losing a tooth is a critical dental emergency. Sometimes, we can replace the tooth if we can get to it fast enough, but sometimes, a lost tooth must be replaced with a dental implant or a bridge.

Our chances of saving the tooth are best if you retrieve it and quickly rinse it with cool water, avoiding the root area. Try to replace the tooth in the socket, but don’t force it. If you can't replace the tooth, keep it in a glass of milk. Call our office immediately.

Some of the other reasons we need to see you quickly include:

• A tooth has become dislodged (but not completely knocked out).
• An object is stuck between your teeth that you can’t remove with brushing or dental floss.
• A filling or crown has fallen out.
• You are experiencing a dental abscess.
• You have injured your gums or palate.

Contact Your Emergency Dentist in Sioux Falls, SD

Call our dental office at (605) 371-3000 to schedule your next appointment or if you suspect a dental emergency. A compassionate team member will guide you through the process.