A knocked-out tooth or sudden dental pain can cause panic in any parent, but quick thinking and staying calm are the best ways to approach such common dental emergencies. This includes taking measures such as applying cold compresses to reduce swelling. If a tooth is knocked out, the best way to transport it to our office is in saliva. If you have a dental emergency, contact us for emergency dentistry services in our Dallas, TX dental office at 214-544-9633; we can provide you with prompt dental care. We also provide additional general dentistry services to Dallas, Texas.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry in Dallas, TX involves the immediate treatment of dental problems that can’t wait. These issues are usually painful, uncomfortable, or could worsen if not treated right away. Our dental team is experienced in handling a wide range of dental emergencies and is prepared to offer you quick and effective relief.
If you experience sudden tooth pain, a cracked tooth, or any other urgent dental issue, don’t wait. Contact our Dallas dental office, and we’ll work to see you as soon as possible.
When to Seek Emergency Dental Care
If you’re unsure whether your dental problem is an emergency, it’s better to be safe and call our office. Common signs that you need immediate dental care include:
- Sudden or severe tooth pain
- A knocked-out or loose tooth
- Swelling in the face, gums, or mouth
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Signs of infection, such as fever or a bad taste in your mouth
Our team is here to answer your questions and provide guidance on what to do next.
Emergency Dentistry Services in Dallas, TX
Dental emergencies come in many forms, from tooth pain to injuries. Here are some of the most common types of emergencies we treat in our Dallas office:
Toothaches
A toothache is one of the most common reasons people seek emergency dental care. Tooth pain can be caused by a variety of issues, such as cavities, infections, or damaged fillings. If your tooth hurts, do not to ignore the pain, as it’s often a sign of a bigger problem.
Depending on the cause of the pain, we may recommend a filling, root canal therapy, or extraction. We’ll begin by examining the tooth and taking an X-ray if needed to identify the source of the pain. Once we know what’s causing it, we’ll take steps to relieve the pain and treat the problem.
Chipped or Broken Teeth
A chipped or broken tooth can happen from biting down on something hard, playing sports, or being in an accident. While it might not always hurt, a damaged tooth is vulnerable to infection or further damage.
If you’ve chipped or broken a tooth, we may use dental bonding to repair the damage or suggest a dental crown to cover and protect the tooth. If the break is severe and involves the root or nerve of the tooth, more advanced treatments like a root canal may be needed to save the tooth.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth is a serious dental emergency that requires immediate attention. If your tooth has been knocked out due to an injury or accident, act quickly. There’s a good chance the tooth can be re-implanted if you get to our office within the hour.
If possible, locate the tooth and handle it by the crown (the part you normally see), avoiding touching the root. Rinse it with water, but do not scrub it. Try to place the tooth back in its socket or store it in a container of milk. Then, head to our office immediately.
We’ll assess the condition of the tooth and your gums to determine if the tooth can be saved. If we cannot save it, we can discuss replacement options, such as a dental implant. Learn more about dental implants on our website.
Lost Filling or Crown
Fillings and crowns can come loose or fall out, leaving your tooth exposed and vulnerable to damage or infection. If you lose a filling or crown, you may experience tooth sensitivity, and the tooth may feel sharp.
If you lose a filling or crown, contact us as soon as possible. We may be able to replace the filling or crown during your visit. In the meantime, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, and try to keep the area clean.
Abscessed Tooth
An abscessed tooth is a serious infection that forms around the root of a tooth or in the gum tissue. Symptoms of a dental abscess include severe toothache, swelling in the gums, a bad taste in your mouth, and fever. This type of infection can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, so you want to seek care right away.
Treating an abscessed tooth often involves draining the abscess to remove the infection. We may also prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection. Sometimes, you may need a root canal to remove infected tissue inside the tooth and save the tooth from further damage.
Broken Dentures
For patients who wear dentures, a break or crack can make it difficult to speak or eat comfortably. Broken dentures can also be embarrassing, but we offer emergency denture repairs to help restore function and confidence. Depending on the damage, we may be able to repair your dentures in our office. If your dentures are beyond repair, we can discuss replacement options.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Accidents, falls, or biting down too hard can injure the gums, tongue, lips, or cheeks. Although the amount of blood from these injuries can be alarming, we can often treat them quickly and effectively.
In our office, we will clean the area and assess whether stitches are needed to close the wound. If an injury also affects a tooth during the accident, we will evaluate the tooth and provide treatment if necessary.
How We Help During a Dental Emergency
During a dental emergency, we know that time is of the essence. We strive to offer same-day dental appointments for emergencies. When you call our office, we’ll do our best to fit you in as soon as possible. Our first priority is to relieve your pain. Whether it’s through medication, numbing the area, or beginning treatment right away, we want you to feel comfortable.
We’ll perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your emergency and the best treatment to resolve the issue. In many cases, we can provide immediate treatment to address the problem. We’ll work to restore your smile and prevent further complications. After your emergency treatment, we’ll schedule follow-up visits to ensure your mouth heals properly.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Read common answers to questions about emergency dentistry in Dallas, TX:
How can I prevent dental emergencies?
Preventing dental emergencies starts with good daily habits and regular dental care. We recommend that you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to keep your teeth strong and avoid cavities that could lead to painful infections.
Wear a custom-fitted mouthguard during sports or activities where you might get hit in the mouth. Avoid using your teeth as tools to open packages or crack nuts, as this can cause chips or cracks.
What do I do if something is stuck between my teeth?
If something gets stuck between your teeth, start by rinsing your mouth with warm water to loosen it. Gently try using dental floss to remove the object by carefully working it up and down between your teeth without snapping it, which could hurt your gums. If regular floss doesn’t work, you can try a floss pick or a water flosser, which uses a gentle stream of water to dislodge food particles.
Avoid using sharp objects like toothpicks, pins, or fingernails, as these can scratch your teeth or damage your gums. Try to brush the area with a soft toothbrush, as the bristles might help loosen it. Call us if you still can’t remove it or if the area becomes painful or swollen.
What should I keep in a dental emergency kit at home?
Having a dental emergency kit at home can help you handle common problems until you can see our dentist. Start with a small, clean container that’s easy to find.
Your emergency dental kit can include:
- A bottle of saline solution or salt packets to make warm saltwater rinse
- Gauze pads to control bleeding
- Over-the-counter pain relievers (avoid aspirin)
- Dental wax to cover harp edges from broken braces or chipped teeth
- Floss to remove objects
How soon should I see a dentist after a dental injury?
See us as soon as possible after a dental injury, ideally within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving a knocked-out permanent tooth. For serious injuries like a tooth that’s been completely knocked out, broken, or pushed out of position, immediate treatment gives you the highest likelihood of successful repair. If a tooth gets knocked out, try to gently place it back in the socket or keep it moist in saliva before you visit our office.
For less severe injuries like chipped teeth without pain or loose baby teeth, you may wait until the next business day, but you should still call your dentist right away for advice. Even if the injury seems minor, hidden damage to the tooth’s root or nerve could cause problems later.
How do I know if I need emergency care for tooth pain?
Tooth pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain needing immediate attention. You should seek emergency dental care if you have these symptoms:
- Throbbing pain
- Fever
- Swelling in your face or gums
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Pain that doesn’t go away with medicine
These are signs of an infection that needs urgent dental care.
What should I do if my dental crown feels loose?
If your dental crown feels loose, the first thing to do is avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. Gently remove the crown if it comes off completely, being careful not to force it. Clean the inside of the crown with warm water.
Call us for an appointment, even if the crown isn’t causing pain. A loose crown leaves your prepared tooth vulnerable to decay or damage. Don’t use super glue or household adhesives, as these can ruin the crown and harm your tooth. If you can’t get the crown to stay on, bring it with you to your dental appointment in a clean container. We can clean and recement the crown.
Is a lost baby tooth a dental emergency?
A lost baby tooth usually isn’t a dental emergency if it came out naturally as part of the normal growing process. But you should call us if:
- The tooth was knocked out early from an injury or fall
- Bleeding won’t stop even with clean gauze
- The lost tooth leaves sharp edges that could cut your child’s tongue or cheeks
- Pieces of tooth are stuck in the gums
While baby teeth naturally fall out, premature loss from accidents might sometimes require a spacer to hold the gap open for the permanent tooth.
Should I visit an emergency room if I have a dental emergency?
Emergency rooms can help with serious infections or injuries that affect your overall health. These injuries can include facial swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow or major trauma from accidents.
But ER doctors usually can’t do permanent dental repairs. Doctors mainly provide pain medicine or antibiotics until you can see a dentist. You can contact our office for typical dental emergencies such as cracked teeth, lost fillings, or toothaches.
Contact Our Dallas, TX, Dental Office for Emergency Care
When a dental emergency strikes, you don’t have to face it alone. Our Dallas dental office is here to provide fast, professional, and compassionate care when you need it most. We’ll make sure you get the treatment you need to protect your smile and relieve your pain.
Get emergency dentistry services in Dallas, TX. If you need to treat a dental emergency, please call Lochwood Family Dental at 214-544-9633. If you need dental care but don’t have a dental emergency, request a dental appointment with us online. We serve patients from Lochwood, Highland Meadows, and Orchard Hills.