What’s the Emergency?

On a scale of one to ten, a toothache sometimes registers as an eleven. We hope that is never your experience, but it’s important to know what to do if you or a family member needs help.

First, identify the source. Sometimes it’s obvious, you bit down on something hard and felt an instant crack. Other times it slowly creeps up, and you wake up with a swollen cheek and a throbbing sensation. Now what?

Identify where it hurts and what makes it feel worse, then take an over-the-counter pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and if there’s swelling, use a cold compress for additional relief.

If you experience any of the following, call us so we can schedule you for the next available appointment:

• Swelling or inflammation, which may indicate an infection or abscess
• A tooth coming out
• Tooth fracture or trauma that results in pain
• Intense pain after an extraction, possibly caused by a dry socket

Not all dental issues may require immediate care, but your comfort is always of utmost importance. During office hours, the fastest way to reach us is to call our front desk at (615) 595-6111. During the evenings and weekends, Dr. Abrams has an emergency hotline where you can leave a message and receive a call back: (615) 852-5077.

While we reserve time on our daily schedule for emergency care, we want to help you avoid any issues before they arise. Scheduling routine preventative care is important to ensure your teeth only give you reasons to smile. To request a non-emergency appointment, fill out our online form or call our main number. In the meantime, save both our office and emergency phone numbers in your contacts. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.