The importance of reliable emergency dental care for Indianapolis families

According to UpToDate,^®a clinical support resource, half of all children suffer some type of tooth injury, and many others have additional types of oral trauma. Dental emergencies are more frequent with children than adults, in part because they are quite active and they may lack sophisticated manual dexterity. Oral injuries typically occur from falls, sports mishaps, and fights. While harm to the mouth or teeth is rarely life-threatening, the experience can be traumatic for both child and parents. Dr. Matthew Church provides compassionate emergency dental care for Indianapolis patients of all ages at Washington Street Dentistry.

Immediate emotional distress

Anytime there is blood, pain, and uncertainty, emotions tend to run high. Familiar surroundings and faces of dental professionals you know and trust go a long way toward soothing raw nerves. As regular patients of Washington Street Dentistry, Dr. Church knows your family’s dental history and has current records handy to aid in accurate evaluation. He and his team are in the best position to get the patient out of pain, answer questions calmly, and help you determine the best course of action.

Minutes can count

A dislodged or avulsed tooth is one of the most common dental emergency situations. While a knocked-out tooth can often be successfully re-implanted, immediate professional dental care is necessary – within 30 minutes, and sooner is better. That isn’t much time to search out a dental clinic. If a tooth is left outside the mouth for more than an hour, living cells die and the body’s ability to regenerate periodontal ligament tissue (that helps to hold the tooth in place) is compromised. Fortunately, for those situations Dr. Church offers a number of options to replace a missing tooth, including dental implants, crown and bridge units, and partial dentures.

Long-term effect

Untreated injuries to the mouth and teeth can have a lasting impact on a child’s oral development, facial appearance, and self-esteem. By treating oral trauma promptly, the patient has the best chance of making a full recovery for a healthy mouth and attractive smile.

If you, or someone you love, needs emergency dental care, please don’t hesitate – call Washington Street Dentistry right away at (317) 333-6788. Dr. Church will provide guidance on whether you should go to the emergency room, and how to address immediate discomfort. The practice blocks out time in daily scheduling for urgent appointments, and can arrange to see patients after hours or on weekends if necessary.

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