If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact our office immediately at 214-216-6577.
Dental emergencies can arise anytime, so you should handle them promptly to avoid pain or further damage. You should address all dental concerns with your dentist as soon as possible. Our dental office can fix many common dental emergencies. We can schedule you for a same-day emergency visit as soon as you notify us of your dental emergency.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency occurs when an issue arises that can’t wait for treatment. For example, a chipped tooth can be a simple cosmetic issue. A small chip off your tooth isn’t something you have to immediately worry about.
However, if a bigger chunk of your tooth breaks off, it exposes dental nerves and causes a lot of pain. Something like this is a sign to contact our Dallas dental practice immediately. Early intervention is always important to save your teeth.
The most common dental emergency is sudden tooth pain. There are many different kinds of pain you can experience. Pain that’s constant and doesn’t go away, or sudden sharp pain, is something that a dentist should look at. The various causes of pain all have different treatment methods.
If trauma or injury causes tooth pain, it’s usually easy for you to notice. However, other causes aren’t always visible. Severe tooth decay may appear visible, but it usually hides inside your tooth. For example, an abscess or infection is usually in the middle of the tooth or under it.
Usually, you won’t be able to see these issues at all. Fortunately, our dentist can diagnose the issue and provide the proper treatments. Contact Dr. William Huckin if you are experiencing a dental emergency.
Tips For Dental Emergencies
When handling a dental emergency, remain calm and act with your best judgment on how to proceed. Often, we find that these tips can be the difference between losing and saving a tooth.
- Chipped or cracked tooth: Gently rinse the area with warm water. A cold compress outside the mouth can minimize pain and swelling. If you can recover the missing piece of the tooth, please do and bring it with you to your evaluation.
- Tooth pain: Sudden tooth pain can indicate a range of potential concerns. Rinsing with warm water and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can reduce your discomfort at home. Do not put aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gum tissues.
- Knocked out tooth: Locate the lost tooth if possible and pick it up gently by the crown. Avoid touching the root of the tooth. Place the tooth in a container of warm milk or your own spit until you visit our office. Keep the tooth moist as this will help us save it.
- A broken dental crown, bridge, or denture: Temporary over-the-counter dental cement can help secure a fractured dental crown. However, it’s best to not try to put the prosthetic back in your mouth. Our office can address a broken or slipping bridge or denture as soon as possible.
Dental Emergency FAQs
What is considered a dental emergency?
A dental emergency is a condition that needs rapid care. Prevent further injury, excruciating pain, or save a tooth by visiting our Dallas dental office. Dental emergencies can be mild to severe, and are not always hard to fix. If you are experiencing a dental emergency call our office today for quick treatment!
What is the most common type of dental emergency?
Toothaches and severe tooth pain are the most common emergencies. However, many causes of tooth pain require immediate care, including:
- Large cavity that is causing pain
- Severe toothaches
- Tooth abscess
- Dental injury because of an accident
- Bleeding gums
- Lost permanent tooth
Can an emergency dentist remove teeth?
An emergency dentist can remove a tooth only in circumstances where the tooth needs removal quickly. Usually within 24 to 48 hours. A tooth extraction is an emergency if the patient is in excruciating pain, has a severe crack or fracture. An extraction can also happen when any other severe condition is compromising your oral health.
Do swollen gums require emergency care?
You may require emergency dental care if you have swollen gums, and feel severe pain with a fever. This is a sign of a dental abscess. However, you will not require emergency care if you have gingivitis or gum inflammation. Bleeding and sensitive gum tissue are signs of gingivitis.
While you must schedule an appointment for a thorough cleaning, you will not need emergency care for gum inflammation.
Is a cavity a dental emergency?
We will only consider a cavity an emergency if you experience severe tooth pain or swelling in your cavity. We may recommend a root canal procedure or a filling for your cavity, whether or not you have severe pain. You should still visit Dr. Huckin if you have a cavity, but we will provide immediate care if you have a severe toothache.
Do I need to visit the ER for a dental problem?
Visit a hospital if you have an urgent problem, like severe and constant bleeding or an abscess. We also recommend going to the ER if you have physical injuries in addition to your dental problems. Broken bones, bruising, and life-threatening physical injuries require medical care.