Between cookouts, pool days, and back-to-back Little League games, summer keeps Vestal families busy and outdoors more than any other season. It's also when a lot of dental emergencies happen: a line drive to the mouth, a molar cracked on a corn cob, a toddler's tumble off the diving board.
For nearly 70 years, Vestal Dental Associates has been the practice Greater Binghamton families call when something goes wrong. Knowing what counts as a true emergency, and what to do in the first few minutes, can mean the difference between saving a tooth and losing it.
Not every ache needs an urgent visit, but some symptoms should never wait. Call our office right away if you or your child experiences any of the following:
If you're ever unsure whether a situation qualifies, it's always safer to call our Emergency Dental Care line and let our team help you decide.
What you do in the first few minutes after an injury matters. Here's how to respond before you can get to our office.
Pick the tooth up by the crown (never the root), rinse it gently with water, and try to place it back in the socket if possible. If that's not doable, keep it moist in milk or saliva and get to our office within 30 to 60 minutes for the best chance of saving it.
Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces if you can find them. Our CEREC one-visit dentistry system often allows us to repair a chipped tooth with a custom restoration in a single appointment.
Rinse with warm salt water and take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the gum, a common myth that can actually burn soft tissue. Persistent pain or swelling can signal an infection that may need a root canal treatment.
A few situations show up more often once the weather warms up. Baseball, soccer, and biking accidents send kids and adults alike into our office with chipped or knocked-out teeth. That's why we're such strong advocates for custom sports mouthguards before the season even starts.
Grilling season brings its own hazards too. Corn on the cob, ribs, and ice from a summer cocktail are common culprits behind cracked molars. If it happens to you, read our guide on chipped tooth repair for a closer look at what recovery looks like.
A dull, occasional sensitivity to cold can usually wait for a regular appointment. Sharp pain that wakes you up at night, visible swelling, or an injury involving a permanent tooth should never wait. When in doubt, call us. We would always rather see you and confirm you're fine than have you wait and risk losing a tooth.
We understand that dental emergencies rarely happen at a convenient time. Our team works to see emergency patients as quickly as possible, and for patients who feel anxious about urgent treatment, we offer sedation dentistry to keep the experience calm and comfortable.
Families with young children also appreciate that our pediatric dentistry team is trained to handle everything from a loose baby tooth to a more serious sports injury with a gentle touch.
Accidents happen, but you don't have to face them alone. With nearly 70 years serving Vestal and the Greater Binghamton region, our team is ready to help protect your family's smiles all season long.
If you're dealing with a dental emergency, don't wait. Call Vestal Dental Associates today at (607) 785-3339, or visit our schedule an appointment page to get the care you need.