Dental infections and injuries won’t fix themselves. If you have an injured tooth or serious pain in your mouth and think, “I have a dental emergency,” now is the time to see your dentist for emergency care.
Not sure if your injury counts as an emergency? Learn the common symptoms of dental emergencies as well as what actions to take in this type of situation. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency in the Houston, Texas area, contact Lovett Dental Webster at 832-932-5584. We can give you the treatment you need and help you take care of your oral health.
Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are often preceded by symptoms like blood loss, swelling, intense pain, lost or loose teeth, and injuries to the mouth or face. If you’ve experienced any of these, it’s best to contact a dental professional immediately.
The most common emergencies involve broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, lost fillings or crowns, abscesses, and soft-tissue injuries. While a toothache typically isn’t considered an emergency, severe pain in your mouth is a sign that something is wrong. In the worst-case scenario, you may need an extraction immediately to stop the pain.
Broken teeth aren’t life-threatening but can be severe if a significant amount of your tooth breaks off. In this situation, it’s best to contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible. Once you realize that you have a cracked or broken tooth, use warm water to rinse your mouth out. Ice your face to keep the swelling down while you wait to get a crown, filling, or root canal.
An abscessed tooth is another emergency that can cause serious damage if untreated. As tooth abscesses can cause tooth sensitivity, toothaches, swelling, and fever, it’s important to treat them as soon as possible. An untreated abscess is an infection that can spread to the jaw and surrounding tissue, restricting the airways. The infection can also spread to your heart or even pass through blood vessels to reach your brain. You need to see a dentist or emergency room doctor immediately to have the abscess treated as soon as possible.
Soft tissue injuries can occur after an accident or a fall. In this situation, you can injure your gums or teeth and lose or weaken your teeth. A broken jaw can also occur after a fall and needs immediate attention to prevent further injury.
What Do I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency?
In the event of a dental emergency, it’s important to make sure that you are getting the treatment you need as soon as possible. Make sure to contact your dentist and see if you can come in for immediate treatment. If not, find an emergency dentist near you or head to the nearest hospital emergency room.
In most dental emergencies, taking quick action will reduce the damage. The sooner you receive treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better.
How to Find an Emergency Dentist
Prepare for future emergencies by proactively researching emergency dentists in your area. Dentists with emergency services like ours accept walk-ins and schedule same-day appointments. In your search, be sure to find a dentist office that’s open Saturday and Sunday as this is also a good indication that they’ll be able to treat you in the event of a dental emergency.
If you can’t get in contact with the right dentist, compile a list of emergency rooms and urgent-care clinics. This way, you’ll know exactly who you can call. If you have an emergency or need any other dental services, we’re here to help. We offer a wide variety of services, including:
Contact us at 832-932-5584 to learn more about the services available to you.
