Dental emergencies can happen at any time, often when least expected. We provide immediate dental care with our emergency dentistry services at Texas Dental in Plano, TX. Our team is prepared to provide rapid and effective treatment to alleviate your pain and prevent further complications. If you have a dental emergency, you can call us at 972-636-4522.
Emergency care is a part of our general dental services. With emergency dental care, we can maintain the health of your teeth and gums.
Common Dental Emergencies
Understanding common dental emergencies can help you react quickly and seek the appropriate care. Accidents happen and can result in various dental injuries. Our team is experienced in handling these emergencies to restore your dental health promptly.
We provide emergency dentistry services in our Plano, TX, office for these dental problems:
Toothaches
Severe tooth pain can be debilitating and may signal a serious issue. We provide prompt treatments such as root canals, extractions, or fillings to address the underlying cause of your pain. Dental infections, if left untreated, can spread and become life-threatening. We offer immediate interventions, including antibiotics and abscess drainage, to manage infections effectively.
Toothaches and abscesses can cause severe pain and may indicate an infection. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading and to relieve discomfort.
Dental Trauma
Accidents like falls or sports injuries can result in chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Seek dental care immediately to increase the chances of saving the affected tooth.
If you have a broken tooth, rinse your mouth with water. If you experience bleeding, press gauze or a clean cloth to the area. Try to bring any large pieces of your tooth to our office in a cup of saliva. We may reattach the broken pieces. If not, we will recommend a dental crown.
Knocked-Out Tooth
After you lose a tooth, try to locate it if you can. Hold the tooth by its crown and avoid touching the roots. Gently rinse the tooth of debris in cool water. You can try to gently place your tooth back in its socket and bite down.
However, if this does not work, bring the tooth to our office in a cup of saliva. Keeping it moist will increase the chance that we can reattach your tooth. If you seek care quickly, we can save your tooth. Otherwise, we will recommend a dental implant.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue can be painful and may require stitches or other treatments. We will assess and treat soft tissue injuries to promote healing and prevent infection. Before you get to our office, use gauze to apply pressure to bleeding areas. You can also take pain medication as needed.
After-Hours Emergency Dental Care
Dental emergencies do not always occur during regular office hours. At Texas Dental, we understand this and offer after-hours care to address your urgent dental needs.
We offer flexible scheduling to accommodate emergency situations. If you experience a dental emergency, please contact us immediately to arrange an appointment, even outside regular hours. In case of a dental emergency, please call our office at (972) 123-4567. Our team is committed to providing prompt and compassionate care when you need it most.
Dental Emergency Prevention Tips
While it is impossible to prevent all dental emergencies, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
- Visit The Dentist: Regular dental visits allow us to identify and address potential issues before they become emergencies. We recommend scheduling check-ups every six months to maintain your oral health. At these visits, we provide exams and screenings for common dental problems. If we find a problem, we can treat it early.
- Brush and Floss: Good oral hygiene practices can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, which are common causes of dental emergencies. If left untreated, infections can cause severe tooth pain. Brush twice daily, floss regularly, and use mouthwash to keep your mouth healthy.
- Use a Mouthguard: Wearing a mouthguard during sports or other physical activities can protect your teeth from injury. Custom-fitted mouthguards provide the best protection and are available at our office. With a custom sports mouthguard, patients of all ages can prevent knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, and gum injuries.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency at Home
Knowing what to do in a dental emergency can help you care for your teeth and gums at home right before you get to our office. You can take steps to manage pain while you wait for emergency dentistry services in our Plano, TX office:
- Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen.
- Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.
Do’s and Don’ts Before Seeing a Dentist
Follow these guidelines to protect your teeth and gums:
- Do handle a knocked-out tooth by the crown, not the root.
- Do place a knocked-out tooth in milk or a tooth preservation solution.
- Don’t use cold compresses for more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Don’t apply aspirin directly to the gums or teeth.
If you have any doubts or questions, contact our office immediately. We can provide guidance on what to do until you can come in for your appointment.
Emergency Dentistry vs. Routine Dental Care
Knowing the difference between emergency and routine dental care can help you respond correctly in urgent situations. If you have severe pain, bleeding, or infection, you will need emergency dental care. Routine dental care, such as cleanings and check-ups, can be scheduled in advance and is essential for preventative care.
In a dental emergency, immediate care can prevent complications and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Delays in treatment can lead to more severe problems and prolonged pain.
After you address the immediate issue, we will recommend follow-up care for proper healing and long-term dental health. Our team will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your recovery and address any additional needs.
What is not a dental emergency?
In some cases, you may have a dental problem but not a dental emergency. Some common problems can include:
- Object stuck between teeth: If you have an object stuck between your teeth, try floss first. You can also use a toothpick or toothbrush to remove it. In addition, if you have something stuck in your gums, gently brush your gums to try and release the object. Contact us for an appointment if this does not work. We can use dental tools to remove the object for you.
- Lost Fillings or Crowns: Unless you have severe pain, a lost filling or crown is not an emergency. However, we will ask that you schedule an appointment so we can provide a temporary replacement. Covering your tooth will reduce the risk of damage or infection.
- Mild Gum Bleeding: Excessive mouth bleeding is a dental emergency. However, you do not have an emergency if your gums bleed when you brush and floss. In that case, you likely have gingivitis, or gum inflammation. Call to schedule a routine cleaning and exam. We can give you tips on how to improve your oral hygiene routine to prevent gum disease.
Get Urgent Dental Care
At Texas Dental, we are dedicated to providing top-notch emergency dental care to our community, including Dallas, Richardson, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney. Contact us at (972) 123-4567 for emergency dentistry services in our Plano, TX dental office.