We Offer Emergency Dental Care for Patients of All Ages

A knocked out or broken tooth, severe damage to your gums or cheeks, or severe dental pain all qualify as dental emergencies. You may need to visit an emergency dentist for immediate treatment.

At Iroquois Family Dentistry in Nashville, TN, Drs. K.B. Parkes, Gary Waltemath, and Karen S. Keenan bring together patient-centered care and high-end technology to treat a wide range of dental emergencies. In many cases, we can schedule, diagnose, and treat patients on the same day. To set up an appointment at our practice, call us at (615) 298-2040 or request an appointment online.

How Do I Know This Is a Dental Emergency?

You should seek out immediate treatment if you are experiencing a:

Severe toothache accompanied by a fever
Knocked out permanent tooth
Jaw injury
Soft tissue injury to the gums

However, while dental emergencies should be treated right away, there are other oral health concerns which can usually wait until the next available appointment. This can include:

Lost or damaged fillings
Cracked or chipped teeth

Although these are not always considered serious emergencies, they should still be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid further damage.

If you are not sure whether or not you are experiencing a dental emergency and need emergency care, we can help. Simply call our office at (615) 298-2040.

What to Do in Case of an Emergency

There are several steps you can take on your way to our office to protect your oral health and prevent further injury. What these are will depend on your specific situation.

Knocked Out Tooth

If you have a knocked out tooth, you need to act quickly to give our doctors the best chance of re-implanting your tooth. On your way to our office, make sure you:

Avoid touching the tooth roots
Handle the tooth with extreme care
Keep the tooth moist by storing it in a container or baggie with saliva or milk

You may also keep the tooth in its socket on your way to the dentist, if you think it will stay in place.

Broken Teeth

Although minor chips or cracks can be easily concealed with dental bonding or veneers at your next appointment, serious breaks need immediate care. On your way to our practice, you should:

Rinse your mouth with warm water
Relieve any pain with a cold pack or over-the-counter pain medication
Apply pressure to the site with gauze or a moist tea bag to staunch bleeding

Our doctors can typically address broken teeth in just one day using a CEREC® same-day dental crown.

Soft Tissue Injury

Because of the abundance of blood vessels in your mouth, injuries to your tongue, lips, or cheeks usually heal very quickly. But if you notice abnormal bleeding or other symptoms such as redness, swelling, or fever, contact our office immediately to determine if you need antibiotics.

How We Can Help

If you are not sure whether or not you are experiencing an emergency and need emergency care, we can help. Simply call our office, and one of our team members will listen to the details of your situation and advise you as to whether you need immediate treatment. Our doctors will do everything they can to help you stay calm and see you as soon as possible.

Call Us Today

If you believe you are experiencing a dental emergency, call us at (615) 298-2040 or request an appointment online. We can provide the attention and care you need.