Your Emergency Dentist in St. Paul, MN

Dental emergencies in St. Paul, MN often cause pain, disrupt schedules, and lead to unexpected dental treatment. At Highgrove Dental Care, we understand that dental emergencies cause stress, and we strive to restore your health and comfort quickly to minimize discomfort and inconvenience. 

Drs. John Grittner and Jadilyn Nguyen Grittner are experienced and gentle with each patient, providing the type of dental care that supports overall wellness. 

If you have a dental emergency in St. Paul, MN, or if you have questions, contact our dental office.  

What are dental emergencies in St. Paul, MN

Anything unexpected regarding your oral health can be traumatic and leave you in pain. Some of the most common dental emergencies include: 

• Tooth pain 
• Bleeding 
• Swelling 
• A fractured tooth 
• A damaged or lost crown 
• A lost filling 
• A lost tooth 
• Trauma 
• Infection 

When you experience pain, or something out of the ordinary with your oral health, contacting us right away can help us treat you more effectively. For some conditions, such as fractures and infection, failure to address your situation may result in tooth loss. 

At Highgrove Dental Center, we focus on saving your natural teeth whenever possible because it is the best for your health. 

We also recommend contacting your dentist in St. Paul, MN if you experience tooth sensitivity that does not go away. Ongoing tooth sensitivity can mean a cavity or infection is brewing. A small infection that causes minimal sensitivity can become painful very quickly.  

If your tooth falls out, we encourage you to clean it carefully and place it back in the socket. If you are unable to do this, keep the tooth wet in warm milk or water until your emergency dental appointment in St. Paul. Your dentist may be able to save the tooth and restore it to the socket.  

If you experience trauma to your face or jaw, however, we want you to go to your local emergency room and contact us after you are declared stable. Your safety is the top priority.  

What happens during dental emergencies in St. Paul, MN largely depends on the nature of your dental emergency.  

Typically, emergency dental appointments focus on your immediate problem. We will invite you to our office, where we will discuss your symptoms and take diagnostic x-rays, if necessary. Once your emergency dentist makes a diagnosis, we will offer treatment or care needed to make sure you are comfortable. 

Your dentist will also recommend any necessary follow-up treatment to restore the health of your teeth. We may need to see you to complete a restoration, follow up after root canal treatment, or evaluate your healing.  

If you are a new patient, we will still need to schedule a comprehensive dental exam so that you can avoid dental emergencies in the future. 

Our goal is always to relieve your pain and save your tooth.  

What is an abscessed tooth?

An abscess is a type of localized infection, and there are two types of dental abscess: Endodontic abscess and periodontal abscess. 

Endodontic Abscess 

Inside each tooth, there is some live soft tissue called the pulp.  The pulp is the organ that forms the tooth, and the remnants are trapped inside.  If the pulp is damaged by trauma or bacterial decay that reaches the pulp, bacteria invades the area and results in a dental abscess.  Some of the symptoms of endodontic abscess are pain localized to one tooth or to a general area, pain when chewing or tapping on a tooth, swelling above the tooth, or facial swelling.  The treatment for an endodontic abscess is either root canal therapy, which allows you to keep the tooth or extraction. 

Periodontal Abscess 

Your gum tissue surrounds each tooth and a periodontal abscess results when a piece of food (a popcorn hull, for example) gets stuck between the tooth and the gum.   

The symptoms of periodontal abscess are localized pain around the gum line, and swelling at the gum line or between teeth. The treatment for periodontal abscess involves the removal of the food from the gum line under local anesthetic. 

Your dentist in St. Paul, MN relieves abscess pain quickly and restores your comfort. 

Typically, during a dental emergency, we numb the area thoroughly, but we do not administer oral sedation. Oral sedation requires a thorough health history and preparation. However, we may be able to offer sedation if you need invasive follow-up care following your initial emergency appointment and suffer from dental anxiety.  

Drs. Drs. John Grittner and Jadilyn Nguyen Grittner, your St. Paul dentists, offer oral sedation as an option for patients who have difficulty getting numb or who experience a fear of the dentist. We use calming prescription medication to help you achieve this relaxed state. Since each person is different, we customize the amount and type of medication for the best results and will not begin treatment until you are completely comfortable. It's difficult to do this planning during a dental emergency, but may be feasible at follow-up. 

To make sure that sedation dentistry is safe for you, we will perform a full medical history and evaluate any interactions with your current medications. Each patient responds differently to medication, and we will ask questions about your history with sedatives to help you achieve a deep state of relaxation that lasts for the duration of your appointment. 

After your appointment, you will still be groggy. It is best to plan on relaxing for the rest of the day. Once you wake up the next morning, you can resume normal activities. You will also need a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from your appointment because you will be unable to operate a car safely. 

How can I prevent common dental emergencies?

The best way to avoid dental emergencies in St. Paul, MN is to maintain regular dental exams, dental cleanings, and routine x-rays. A focus on prevention can help you avoid many common dental emergencies.  

Also, make sure to contact your dentist in St. Paul if you experience oral health changes between regular dental exams. While tooth sensitivity may not be an emergency, you should see your dentist to rule out a cavity or infection.  

Since many dental emergencies occur during sports, wearing appropriate protective gear, such as a mouthguard, may protect your teeth. Avoid other lifestyle behaviors such as chewing ice, using your teeth for something other than chewing, and grinding your teeth. These behaviors can create unexpected dental emergencies. If you do grind your teeth, ask your dentist in St. Paul, MN about a nightguard.  

Even if you take exceptional care of your teeth, not everything in life can be planned. That is why we strive to treat dental emergency patients on the same day. 

Calling us at the first sign of any symptoms is the best way to ensure same-day treatment. If you are not sure whether what you are experiencing is an emergency, call us. We can ask you questions that will help you determine whether you need an appointment. 

Are You Experiencing Dental Pain in St. Paul? 

Contact our Saint Paul, MN dental office today and take the first step toward restoring your health and comfort. Our compassionate and experienced dental team looks forward to helping you achieve overall improved health with high-quality dental care for the whole family.