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14411 Ambaum Blvd SW, Ste A, Burien, WA 98166 (206) 244-4622
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Emergency Dentist — Burien, WA

Fast Pain Relief for Hurting Smiles

Dental emergencies always happen at the most unexpected and stressful moments. You can trust that our team at Seahurst Park Dentistry of Burien will be there for you to treat an urgent issue and help you feel more comfortable. As soon as you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, contact us immediately for emergency dentistry in Burien, WA. We’ll book an appointment for you as soon as possible and provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance to make sure that your smile doesn’t sustain any additional damage. Don’t hesitate to give us a call right away to get the emergency dental care you need!

Woman with toothache visiting her Burien emergency dentist

Why Choose Seahurst Park Dentistry of Burien for Emergency Dental Care?

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

It’s easy to get overwhelmed in a dental emergency, but do your best to stay calm! Should you damage a tooth or experience severe tooth pain, here’s what you should do:

  • Step 1: Call us as soon as you can. Your first step should be to give our office a call right away. We’ll help you evaluate your situation and schedule a same-day emergency appointment as needed. We’ll also give you first-aid instructions for managing your situation until you reach our office.
  • Step 2: Get an emergency exam from Dr. David Thomas. As soon as you arrive, your Burien emergency dentist Dr. Thomas will see you for a quick but thorough evaluation. He’ll examine the extent and source of your emergency while relieving any serious pain you may be in.
  • Step 3: Review your treatment options and make a plan. After your emergency exam, Dr. Thomas will review his findings with you and fully explain all the treatment options he recommends. Together, you’ll make a treatment plan for getting your oral health back on track in a way that works best for you.
  • Step 4: Get the fast, professional dental care you need. Our experienced team offers a wide range of emergency dental services right here in-house, so we’ll get to work repairing your smile and protecting your teeth right away. If you’re feeling very anxious or are in a lot of pain, we offer sedation dentistry to help make treatment as comfortable and relaxing as possible.
Pained woman touching her cheek calling Burien emergency dentist

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Whether you chipped a tooth, have a severe toothache, or knocked out one of your permanent teeth, the first step you should always take is call our dental office so we can fit you into our schedule. In many emergency cases, acting fast is crucial, which is why we'll do everything we can to make sure that we see you the same day. We’ll give you information on how to handle your specific situation over the phone, but we’ve also compiled some helpful information on handing the most common dental emergencies below as well.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

Unfortunately, cost concerns are a major reason why some people don’t get help and treat a dental emergency right away. However, waiting to address the problem can only make the situation worse, meaning that you could end up paying more than you otherwise would have if you’d come in earlier. The sooner we are able to treat you, the lower your cost is likely to be. We’ll do everything we can to use the most conservative, and affordable, treatment possible so that you don’t pay any more than necessary.

Man with toothache in Burien waiting to see his emergency dentist
man in pain worried about the cost of a dental emergency in Burien

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Not every emergency can be addressed using the same treatment. For instance, while one toothache may be mild enough to be fixed with a simple filling, another more severe case may require a dental crown. Each case is unique, which means we won’t know the cost of your treatment until we see you in person. After we’ve had a chance to examine your mouth and diagnose the underlying problem, we’ll discuss your treatment options with you as well as the cost associated with each option.

dental insurance form for treating dental emergencies in Burien

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

In some cases, yes! Coverage depends on what your policy includes, but most dental insurance cover, in part, the cost of certain treatments like root canal therapy and treatments like dental crowns. We are happy to file insurance claims on our patients’ behalf and will gladly answer any questions that you may have before we begin your emergency treatment. If you have more specific questions about your plan, it’s best to directly contact your insurance provider for more details.

dental professional holding a piggy bank

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Dentistry doesn’t have to be an expensive, stressful ordeal. If the idea of paying for dental treatment upfront feels overwhelming, you don’t have to worry! We always try to accommodate our patients and help them feel comfortable, which is why we’re also happy to discuss payment plans with you for emergency treatment. In fact, you may qualify for financing at 0 percent interest, allowing you to make smaller monthly payments that more easily fit your budget and ease your stress.

dental professional giving thumbs up

Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

What’s the most cost-efficient way to deal with a dental emergency? Prevent it from happening in the first place through the proper care and maintenance. While some situations are unavoidable, many can be avoided, saving you the trouble, pain, and expense of emergency treatment. Simple, daily oral hygiene goes a long way to keep plaque building up and causing cavities, and wearing a mouthguard while you play sports can protect your teeth from impacts to the face. Also, coming to our Burien office for checkups and cleanings is essential for catching problems while they are small and less expensive to resolve. These little steps don’t take much effort, but they could help your smile stay healthy and beautiful without putting a strain on your wallet.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Although it’s impossible to completely prevent all dental emergencies, there are some precautionary steps you can take to minimize your risk of experiencing one. Most of these steps are simple, such as drinking more water, while others may require more effort, such as breaking bad habits like smoking and nail-biting. However, you’ll find that the little work you put in to avoid dental emergencies is well worth it in the long run!

smiling woman who knows the keys to preventing dental emergencies in Burien
child visiting an emergency dentist in Burien

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

There’s a reason why the American Dental Association and our team at Seahurst Park Dentistry strongly recommend coming to our office at least every six months for checkups and cleanings. These regular appointments give us the chance to catch little issues like tooth decay or minor damage long before they progress into big problems and before they cause you pain. Plus, by removing hardened plaque, we can stop future trouble from starting in the first place.

toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for at-home hygiene

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

If you want to avoid oral pain, a good place to start is with your at-home hygiene routine. You need to brush twice and floss at least once every day to clear out damaging plaque from your teeth. These habits may seem small, but they go a long way to prevent toothaches from decay, which is one of the most common dental emergencies. We would be happy to teach you proper technique so that your brushing and flossing can be more efficient and effective.

nutritious diet to avoid dental emergencies in Burien

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

As you bite and chew your food, the bacteria in your mouth also partake. Sugary, starchy, processed foods encourage growth in harmful bacteria that produce damaging acids. On the other hand, eating more nutrient-rich foods, like apples, celery, leafy greens, yogurt, and more, reinforces your body’s defenses against infection and creates a more hospitable environment for your smile. Drinking more water throughout the day, instead of sports drinks, juice, or soda, also helps neutralize these acids and wash away plaque.

mouthguard for preventing dental emergencies in Burien

Wear a Mouthguard

Some activities and sports involve more risk than others, especially contact sports like football and hockey. However, even non-contact sports like basketball or soccer could involve a hit to the face. As a result, you should wear a mouthguard, which absorbs the blow and protects your teeth from unnecessary damage. While you could use store-bought mouthguards, getting a custom mouthguard guarantees that it fits properly and stays in place.

opening bottle with teeth

Use Tools, Not Your Teeth

Some packaging or bottles can be tricky to open, and in the moment, it may seem like a good idea to use your teeth to bite down. But you must resist this urge! Instead, take the time to find the appropriate tool like scissors or a bottle opener to get the job done correctly. That way, you don’t put your teeth at risk of chipping or cracking.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s 

Dr. Thomas and our team are ready to leap into action to serve you! But before you save our number in your phone as your go-to emergency dentist in Burien, it is understandable if you would like to know more about different dental problems and how you should approach them. That is why we have put together the following list of frequently asked questions, along with their answers. If you don’t see the information you were hoping for, contact us directly. We love answering our patients’ questions!

Man with toothache has questions for his Burien emergency dentist

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

A toothache might go away on its own, but that doesn’t mean the problem is resolved. Remember that teeth are incapable of healing themselves. Therefore, if a toothache suddenly vanishes, it might indicate that the nerve inside the tooth has died. Later, after the infection or damage spreads, you may experience even more severe symptoms. It is always the wise course of action to seek treatment for a toothache, even if the pain has disappeared.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

In most cases, no. The staff in hospital emergency rooms generally do not have the training or equipment to effectively address dental emergencies. They may decline to treat you or simply give you some pain medication. Care from a dentist is necessary to get your oral health back on track. However, you should visit an emergency room first if you are facing a serious or life-threatening situation, such as significant facial lacerations or a broken jaw. If you have a fever along with a toothache, that also warrants a visit to the ER.

What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?

Having an emergency dentistry kit on-hand can help you to deal well with unexpected oral health problems. Your kit should include:

  • A small container with a lid
  • Sterile gloves
  • Gauze pads and cotton balls
  • Dental cement
  • Denture adhesive
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Pain medication
  • A topical anesthetic
  • Floss
  • An ice pack
  • Your dentist’s phone number

My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Do I Still Need to Visit?

If it is only your tooth enamel that chipped, your oral health may not be in any immediate danger. However, it is still wise to visit a dentist. They will check to see whether the damage is superficial, or if you might need a root canal. They might also offer a service like dental bonding or a veneer to restore the tooth’s appearance, prevent further breakage, and protect the soft tissues in your mouth from its jagged edges.

Can I Fix Dentures that Are Broken in Half?

DIY denture repairs are never recommended. Attempting to fix your denture on your own could worsen the damage, and using items like superglue could harm your oral tissues. You should visit a trained dental professional, who will assess the damage and let you know if it is possible to repair your prosthetic or if you need a new one.

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

Yes. You should never ignore a hurting tooth. If you are feeling pain, it’s a sure sign of trouble that needs to be addressed right away. Most often, a toothache indicates that the tooth has become infected deep enough to reach the pulp or nerve center. Without treatment, you could lose the entire tooth! As a result, if you experience a toothache, you should contact our office for an immediate appointment.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

After you’ve called our team to schedule your visit, you are free to take over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce your discomfort. You can also put a cold compress on your face to manage swelling and numb the area. Keep your mouth clean by rinsing with warm salt water, and try to avoid overly hot, cold, or sugary foods and drinks, which can trigger a painful reaction.

How We Treat Toothaches

When Dr. Thomas has had the opportunity to examine your tooth, he will go over your treatment options. Most likely, he will recommend root canal therapy, a commonly misunderstood procedure that involves removing decaying tooth structure and the pulp, sealing the inner chamber of the tooth, and restoring the tooth with a filling or crown. Afterwards, you should feel much better!

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Although sometimes a chipped tooth is purely a cosmetic problem, most people want it fixed right away. Plus, depending on how large the chipped piece is, your tooth could be more exposed to acids and bacteria. To protect it and get your smile back to the way it was before, you need to contact Seahurst Park Dentistry for an appointment as soon as possible.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

Try to find the piece(s) of your tooth and make sure to bring them along with you to our office. Your tooth may have a sharp point or edge on it, which means that you could suffer cuts to your gums, cheek, or tongue. To prevent this, you can put dental wax or sugar-free gum over the tooth.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth 

For some cases, we may be able to reassemble the tooth using the pieces that have broken off. However, sometimes, we may simply have to place a dental crown over the weakened tooth to give you back function.

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Of course! Unfortunately, teeth are not indestructible and can crack if put under too much pressure. Not only can a cracked tooth be too unstable and weak to eat with, but it also allows bacteria and acids to penetrate deeper into the tooth, where it is more sensitive and vulnerable to decay.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

After calling us, try to avoid eating with that area of your mouth and swish with warm salt water to keep the tooth as clean as possible.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth 

Treatment depends on how severe and deep the crack goes. Cosmetic cracks can quickly be covered up either with composite resin bonding or with porcelain veneers. In other cases, Dr. Thomas can place a custom crown over the tooth to hold it together and provide strength. If the crack extends below the gumline, however, the best option typically is to extract the tooth entirely and replace it.

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

They could be. Tooth sensitivity is often the first sign of decay, which should be addressed as soon as possible. Then again, your teeth may feel sensitive because of normal wear and tear on the enamel, a problem that could wait until your next checkup appointment. The only way to know for sure is to have a dentist inspect your mouth.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

Keep track of your tooth sensitivity and what triggers it. If you notice that it is getting worse or becoming painful, it’s time to schedule an emergency appointment. Or, if you find it difficult to eat food as a result of your sensitivity, you shouldn’t wait to have it checked out. As much as possible, avoid hot, cold, or sugary foods that could make your teeth react sensitively.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth 

Sensitive teeth may be treated in various ways, depending on the underlying problem. For decayed teeth, Dr. Thomas will need to remove the affected tooth structure, either with tooth-colored fillings or a dental crown. Keep in mind that if the cavity is deep enough, you may require root canal therapy.

Learn More about Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

It most certainly is. A knocked-out tooth is one of the most urgent dental emergencies because there is a limited time when it can be re-implanted. In fact, we strongly recommend calling and coming to our office within an hour of the injury for the best odds of saving the natural tooth. Although having a tooth knocked out can be a stunning or frightening experience, acting quickly can help you avoid losing the tooth entirely.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

When you pick up the tooth, only handle the crown, which is the part you see above the gums. The root portion should not be touched in order to avoid contamination. After gently rinsing the tooth with clean water, you may try to put it back into position in the gums. It’s okay if you don’t—just be sure to store the tooth in a bag or container of milk or warm water and bring it with you to our office.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth 

If you haven’t already reinserted the tooth into the socket, we will try to do so. To stabilize the tooth while the connective tissues heal, we will place a splint, which is an oral appliance that attaches to the surrounding teeth. If we can’t save the natural tooth, we can then talk about your options for replacement, namely a dental bridge or implant.

Learn More about Dental Bridges

Learn More about Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

Even if you don’t feel any pain or discomfort, a lost filling or crown is a dental emergency. Without the restoration, your tooth is exposed to oral bacteria and may become infected. Plus, you’ll probably find biting or chewing your food much more difficult! That’s why it’s best to resolve the issue right away.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

After rinsing the restoration off with clean water, apply a small dab of toothpaste to it and place it back onto the tooth. If you are unable to find the filling or crown, or if it is too badly damaged, you may put some sugar-free gum over the tooth to help protect it from bacteria. These are just temporary fixes until you come in to our Burien office.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns 

In some cases, we are able to reuse the filling or crown and simple reattach it to the tooth. However, many times the restoration is damaged or old, which means we need to replace it.

Learn More about Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Broken Dentures

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

A broken denture definitely qualifies as a dental emergency because you won’t be able to bite or chew food as effectively as before. Contact us for an urgent appointment right away so we can give you your smile back as soon as possible.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture

You shouldn’t wear broken dentures because they can be uncomfortable or painful, and they can also damage your gums or other oral structures. While your dentures are out, eat softer foods that are gentler on your mouth, such as mashed potatoes, yogurt, and oatmeal.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

Although there are some rare exceptions that can be fixed with minor adjustments in the office, most broken dentures need to be replaced completely.

Learn More about Dentures

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

After your last set of teeth has erupted in your late teenage or early adult years, your teeth are supposed to last a lifetime. So if one feels loose, it could point to a serious issue that needs to be addressed right away.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth

As much as you can, try not to disturb the loose tooth. Eat soft foods and be gentle in your at-home oral care. Give our Burien office a call so we can figure out the problem and hopefully save your loose tooth.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

A loose permanent tooth usually results from gum disease, trauma, or teeth grinding. Once Dr. Thomas discovers the cause behind it, he can then administer the proper treatment, which respectively would be gum disease therapy, a splint, or an oral appliance for bruxism. Keep in mind that the tooth may need to be extracted and replaced if the damage is already severe.

Learn More about Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More about Tooth Replacement

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

Even though a soft tissue injury may seem to impact only the surface at first glance, it may also damage other oral structures like your teeth and jawbone. That’s why we recommend letting Dr. Thomas examine you after these kinds of injuries, just to be sure.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Your first priority is to stop any bleeding. Hold a clean cloth or gauze to the wound. If the bleeding hasn’t significantly slowed or stopped after 10 minutes, go to the emergency room. Otherwise, you can simply come to our Burien office for further examination.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Soft oral tissues tend to heal fairly quickly, so in most cases, all we need to do is make sure that other oral structures are undamaged. In some cases, we may provide stitches to help in the healing process.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Most of the time, jaw pain doesn’t necessarily warrant an emergency visit. It can typically wait until your next checkup appointment with Dr. Thomas. However, if it becomes too painful or interferes with your ability to eat or talk, you may certainly let us know and come in sooner.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

Often, jaw pain can be reduced through ice/heat therapy. You can also stick to a softer foods diet to give respite to your jaw muscles, and you may take over-the-counter pain reliever.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

Jaw pain can be a symptom of several problems, but Dr. Thomas will be thorough and find out which is to blame for your discomfort. Through TMJ therapy and other treatments, he can alleviate your symptoms.

Learn More about TMJ Therapy  

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Even perfectly aligned teeth have small spaces between them, and little bits of food can get lodged in these areas. Not only can stuck food look bad in your smile, but it can also cause your teeth to slightly shift out of position, which is why you shouldn’t leave objects between your teeth. Gently floss in between to remove the object. If that doesn’t work, call our team for guidance. Do not attempt to poke or pry an object out from between your teeth with a knife or other sharp instrument. You could easily harm your teeth, gums, and other oral structures.

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