Services
Emergency Care
EMERGENCY CARE
Emergency Dental Care Services
At Curtis Family Dentistry, all of us believe that dental emergency problems should be addressed promptly; the same day you call when possible. If you or a loved one has recently suffered a dental emergency, then call 203-372-4296. One of our staff members will be able to advise you and fit you in to the day’s schedule if you must be seen immediately.
Conveniently located in Bridgeport and close to Trumbull, emergency dentist Dr. Gupta is uniquely qualified to address urgent cases.
If you are having a problem that is causing pain, discomfort or embarrassment, please contact us as soon as possible. Don’t wait! Dr. Gupta would much rather find that you don’t have an emergency than miss one that is truly harmful to your smile.
What is a Dental Emergency?
There are several situations that constitute a dental emergency. Some are obvious and some are subtler. These include:
- A knocked out, or avulsed, tooth
- A broken tooth
- A severe toothache
- Broken dentures or other dental work
- A missing filling or crown
- Something stuck between your teeth or in the gum
In all of these cases, you are much better off coming to see Dr. Gupta than going to a hospital emergency room. When should you go to the ER? If there is excessive and unstoppable bleeding, a possible concussion as a result of a blow to the face or head, or if you suspect the injury is a broken jaw, then head to the nearest emergency room.
Until Dr. Gupta sees you, here are some steps to take in the meantime.
Stop the Bleeding. As with a medical emergency, the first step is to stop or slow the bleeding. Using a clean cloth or pad of gauze, apply firm but gentle pressure to the site. If the bleeding fails to slow after 10 minutes, get to an emergency room. Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin for pain, because these are anti-coagulants that may increase bleeding.
Handle with Care. If you’ve suffered a knocked out tooth, try to touch only the crown; avoid touching the root where tissue may be attached. Gently rinse the tooth with water. Then, you can either try to place the tooth back in its socket, hold it in your cheek or under your tongue, or store it in a sealed container filled with milk. Call ahead and drive to our office immediately. Dr. Gupta may be able to reimplant the tooth.
Don’t use force. If your emergency is a dislodged tooth, then gently try to move the tooth back into its proper position. Using force may further loosen the tooth. A foreign object or large particle of food trapped between two teeth or along the gum line can often be removed with flossing. If this doesn’t work, don’t try to remove it yourself with anything sharp or pointed.