Trusted Emergency Dental Care at Our Lansing Dental Office!
Dental emergencies can happen at any moment, from a sudden toothache during dinner to a broken tooth while playing sports. At Kim Dentistry, we understand how stressful dental pain can be, and our dental team is here to provide immediate, professional care when you need it most. Dr. Caroline Kim, our emergency dentist in Lansing, MI, offers same-day and next-day appointments to restore your comfort quickly.
Whether you live in Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Holt, or Haslett, you can count on our compassionate team to help you get back to smiling confidently and pain-free. If you’re ever experiencing a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office in Lansing by calling (517) 886-1100.
Immediate Care from Our Lansing Dentist
At Kim Dentistry, your comfort and health come first. Dr. Caroline Kim takes pride in providing gentle, patient-centered emergency dental care designed to ease your pain and protect your smile.
Here’s what one of our longtime patients, Thomas D., had to say about his experience:
- “I have attended this office for many years. Dr Kim is new and she worked on me today. She seems to be gentle and knowledgeable. Both are important to me. Several times I have needed something immediate and they’ve always got me in within the next day or two. Those kind of relationships don’t come around all the time.”
We believe every patient deserves that same level of understanding, responsiveness, and care—especially in an emergency.
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency includes any condition causing severe pain, bleeding, infection, or damage that requires urgent attention. If you’re unsure whether your issue is an emergency, it’s always best to call your dentist in Lansing right away.
Here are common examples of dental emergencies we treat at Kim Dentistry:
- Severe or persistent toothaches
- Knocked-out or loose teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Lost fillings or crowns
- Gum or facial swelling
- Abscesses or oral infections
- Injuries to the tongue, cheeks, or lips
Prompt care can often prevent more serious complications and save your natural teeth.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency Before You Arrive
Knowing what to do in the moments before reaching your Lansing emergency dentist can make a big difference. Here are some first-aid steps to help protect your teeth and reduce discomfort:
- Toothache: Rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain relief if needed. Avoid applying aspirin directly to the gums.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Gently rinse the tooth without scrubbing. Place it back in the socket or in milk and contact us immediately.
- Broken or Chipped Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Save any broken pieces.
- Lost Filling or Crown: Use temporary dental cement (available at most pharmacies) to protect the area until you can be seen.
- Bleeding or Swelling: Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth and use an ice pack to minimize swelling.
If you experience uncontrolled bleeding or facial trauma, visit the nearest emergency room. Then, contact Kim Dentistry by calling (517) 886-1100 to schedule follow-up care.
What to Expect During Your Emergency Dental Visit
When you arrive at Kim Dentistry, our friendly team will quickly assess your situation and take digital X-rays if needed. Dr. Kim will diagnose the problem, discuss your treatment options, and begin relieving your pain right away.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include:
- Tooth repair with bonding or dental crowns
- Root canal therapy to treat infection
- Tooth extraction for severely damaged teeth
- Gum or tissue repair
- Infection management with antibiotics
Our goal is always to save your natural teeth and restore your comfort in as few visits as possible.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
While not every dental emergency can be avoided, many can be prevented with good oral habits and regular care. By being proactive, you can significantly lower your risk of pain, damage, and unexpected trips to the dentist. Here are some simple ways to help keep your smile safe:
- Maintain regular dental checkups: Visit your Lansing dentist every six months for cleanings and exams. Routine visits allow Dr. Kim to catch small issues before they become emergencies.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and rinse with mouthwash to keep bacteria and plaque under control.
- Wear a mouthguard: If you play sports or grind your teeth at night, a custom mouthguard can prevent cracks, chips, and jaw pain.
- Avoid using your teeth as tools: Never use your teeth to open bottles, cut tape, or bite hard objects like pens or ice.
- Be mindful of what you eat: Limit sticky candies and hard foods that can damage restorations or cause breakage.
Taking these precautions—along with keeping up with your dental visits—helps protect your teeth and gums, reducing your chances of needing emergency dental care in Lansing, MI.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you break or chip a tooth outside of regular office hours, rinse your mouth with warm water and save any tooth fragments if possible. Place them in milk or a saline solution to help preserve them. Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort. Then, call Kim Dentistry right away. Even if it’s after hours, leave a message, and our team will contact you as soon as possible to schedule your appointment.
If you experience severe facial trauma, uncontrollable bleeding, or signs of a life-threatening infection — such as swelling that affects breathing or swallowing — go to the nearest emergency room immediately. However, most dental emergencies, including broken teeth, abscesses, or severe toothaches, are best treated by an emergency dentist near you.
Not all toothaches require emergency treatment, but any pain that is sharp, throbbing, or lasts more than a day should not be ignored. Toothaches can indicate an underlying problem such as tooth decay, a cracked tooth, or an infection. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen quickly. Contact your Lansing dentist, Dr. Caroline Kim, for an evaluation.
After emergency care, you may experience mild sensitivity or soreness as your mouth heals. Dr. Kim will provide detailed aftercare instructions to help you recover comfortably. This may include taking prescribed medications, eating soft foods, and avoiding extreme temperatures for a few days. If you had a root canal or tooth extraction, follow-up visits may be needed to monitor healing or restore your tooth with a crown or implant.
Experience Urgent Dental Care in Lansing, MI, When You Need It Most!
At Kim Dentistry, we know how frightening a dental emergency can be. That’s why Dr. Caroline Kim and our caring team are committed to providing fast, gentle, and effective treatment when you need it most. Whether you’re dealing with a toothache, injury, or broken restoration, we’ll get you the relief you deserve with compassion and expertise.
If you’re searching for an emergency dentist near you in Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, or Holt, don’t wait — your comfort and oral health are our priority.
Contact Kim Dentistry today by calling (517) 886-1100 to schedule your emergency dental visit and get the care you need to smile with confidence again!
