7 Ways an Immediate Dentist Appointment Helps Protect Your Smile From Bigger Problems

Dental emergencies almost never give you a heads-up. A cracked tooth from biting down on something crunchy at dinner. Or throbbing pain waking you up at 2 a.m. When you need an immediate dentist appointment, Dr. Drew Richardson and Dr. Brant Sandifer at Athens Dental Group are here to help you handle these situations.

1. Protect (and Save) a Cracked or Broken Tooth

Say you bite down on a pecan and feel something crack. If it’s a big crack, you could get an infection or lose your tooth if you don’t get it taken care of right away. When this happens, rinse it gently and save any pieces. And try not to eat on that side. One of our dentists will help you figure out next steps. 

2. Immediate Treatment for a Possible Infection or Abscessed Tooth

An abscess is an infection near your tooth root. The danger with an abscessed tooth is that the infection can quickly spread. If that happens, it can become a life-threatening emergency.

• Throbbing pain that doesn’t let up even with over-the-counter pain meds. 
• Swelling in your face or jaw.
• You’ve got a fever.
• Bumps that look like pimples near the tooth.

If you reach a point where you can’t breathe or swallow, go to the ER before calling Athens Dental Group.

Real Patients, Real Results Athens Dental Group – Before and After Images of Patients

Emergency Dentistry Before After Image

This patient chipped both of their front teeth. Two tooth colored restorations were performed on the same day to help restore their smile.

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3. Uncontrolled Bleeding from Your Mouth or Gums

Heavy bleeding that doesn’t stop is a dental emergency. Rinse your mouth with cool water and press clean gauze to the bleeding spot. Don’t spit hard. If you’ve been in a serious accident or can’t breathe, go to the ER.

4. A Loose or Knocked-Out Tooth After an Accident

An adult getting a tooth knocked out is a very time-sensitive emergency. The sooner you see a dentist, the better chance you’ve got of saving the tooth. Here’s what to do:

1. Don’t touch the root; hold the tooth by the crown.
2. Rinse it off gently with milk or salt water if it is dirty.
3. Try to put it back in the socket and bite down on gauze to keep it in place. If you can’t do that, put it in a lidded cup of milk.
4. Call Anthens Dental Group.

5. Severe Toothache That Won’t Let Up

If you’ve got a toothache that doesn’t let up at all, it could be infected, and you need to see one of our dentists ASAP. Don’t put aspirin on the gum. One of our dentists can help you save your tooth if you get in early enough. 

6. When You Need an Emergency Tooth Extraction

There are situations when a tooth is too far gone.

• Severe decay.
• Broken underneath the gums.
• Too infected to save.

If you’re dealing with any of this, we’ll give you pain relief first. Then the tooth gets completely removed from the socket.

7. Getting an Immediate Dentist Appointment in Watkinsville, GA

Our hundreds of five-star reviews on Google show exactly why you should save the Athens Dental Group phone number in your phone for when you have an emergency. Get in touch with the staff by calling (706) 666-4611 today. They’ll get you set up with an appointment at 1520 Jennings Mill Rd STE A, Watkinsville, GA 30677-7308 with Dr. Richardson or Dr. Sandifer.

Dr. Brant Sandifer Connect Dr. Brant Sandifer on LinkedIn

Highly regarded local dentist Dr. Brant Sandifer graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Biology degree from the University of Georgia. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. Since 2017, Dr. Sandifer has been dedicated to providing exceptional dental care in Athens. He is passionate about creating healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Dr. Sandifer is actively involved in the community and is trusted by his patients to provide the highest standard of dental care.

Dr. Drew Richardson Connect Dr. Drew Richardson on LinkedIn

An esteemed local dentist, Dr. Drew Richardson earned his Biology degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of Georgia. As a Hinman Scholar, he graduated second in his class at the Dental College of Georgia, joining Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Societies. Dr. Richardson is a member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics and the L.D. Pankey study club and has advanced cosmetic training from Spear Academy. He volunteers at Georgia dental clinics such as Hope Dental Clinic and Christ Community Clinic and has participated in dental missions to Haiti.

Dr. R. Lawrence George

Dr. R. Lawrence George is a distinguished local dentist and a 1971 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He was one of four students exempted from their fourth year due to exceptional scholastic and clinical achievements, and he practiced at a U.S. Public Health Service Hospital before graduating. A pioneer in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. George has been trusted to place veneers since 1972, making him one of the first in the area to offer advanced cosmetic services like this.

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