At Smile Land Family Dental, we understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time. Of course, this can cause pain and anxiety. We are here to give emergency dental care in San Antonio when you need it most. Our team of skilled and caring experts is ready to help with your urgent dental problems with care and comfort.
We provide fast, quality dental care as soon as possible. Our office is a warm, welcoming place in your times of need, so unexpected dental issues won’t be stressful. Whether it’s a sudden toothache or a knocked-out tooth, we don’t want you to feel alone. Our team is here to offer support and quick care to ease your pain.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Knowing when to get emergency care can improve your oral health. A dental emergency involves any oral health issue that needs immediate care. This can relieve severe pain, prevent further damage, and save your tooth.
Common dental problems we treat in San Antonio include the following:
- Severe Toothache: Ongoing and strong tooth pain can mean an infection or other problems that need quick care. First take pain medicine, then call our office for help. Depending on what’s causing your tooth pain, we can suggest different treatments. These might include a root canal procedure, gum treatment, or taking out the tooth.
- Cracked or Fractured Tooth: A broken or cracked tooth can be painful and can let bacteria into your tooth. If you break a tooth, rinse your mouth with cool water and press a clean cloth on the tooth. If you find the broken piece, bring it to our office. We can fix the parts together or suggest a way to repair the damaged tooth.
- Lost Filling or Crown: If a filling or crown falls out, see a dentist quickly to avoid more damage to your tooth. Don’t try to put the filling or crown back in your mouth. You could hurt your teeth or gums. If you find the piece, bring it to our office so we can put it back or make a new one for you.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: If you knocked out a tooth, quick action can save it. Hold the tooth by its crown and gently rinse it in cool water. You can attempt to place it gently back in its socket. If this doesn’t work, put it in a cup of saliva while you seek emergency dental care.
- Abscess or Swelling: Swelling in your gums, face, or neck can indicate an infection. You will need immediate care to prevent it from spreading. If you have a tooth abscess, we can drain it in our office to help control infection to other parts of the body. In other cases, we can treat gum or tooth infections.
- Soft Tissue Injury: If you cut your lip, tongue, or any of the soft tissues of the mouth, first gently rinse your mouth. Then, put pressure to the injury with gauze or a clean cloth. If you experience excessive bleeding and can’t reach a dentist, visit the hospital.
- Broken Jaw: If you suspect a broken jaw, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Whenever you sustain a physical and dental injury, contact a hospital. A dentist cannot fix a fractured jaw.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Knowing what a dental emergency is isn’t enough. You should also know what to do. Staying calm can help protect your teeth and gums. Follow these steps:
- Stay Calm: Feeling anxious or scared is natural. However, staying calm is crucial during an emergency. Your state of mind can influence your outcome. If you panic, you might take wrong or unnecessary steps that do more harm rather than good.
- Contact Us: Call our office immediately for guidance. We can help schedule an emergency appointment.
- Manage Pain: If you are in pain, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers. You can also try using a cold compress or ice to help with swelling.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Most dental emergencies are sudden. However, sometimes, emergencies are preventable. To lessen the chance of a dental emergency:
- Wear a Mouthguard: Sports mouthguards protect teeth and gums during contact sports. Wearing a custom mouthguard can prevent chipped, cracked, or broken teeth and tooth loss. Sports mouthguards also protect braces. If your child wears braces, they need a mouthguard during sports to keep brackets and wires from breaking.
- Don’t Use Teeth as Tools: Bad habits like using your teeth to open objects can put pressure on your teeth. It can even chip or break a tooth. Instead of using your teeth, use scissors, a knife, or a boxcutter, depending on the object you need to open.
- Don’t Bite Your Nails: Biting your nails introduces your mouth to bacteria from your hands. Pressure from your hard nails can also wear down or break a tooth. Directly biting on hard objects with your front teeth can damage your natural teeth and restorations.
- Treat TMJ Disorders: TMJ disorders lead to headaches and jaw pain and can damage teeth. If you clench or grind your teeth at night, you can experience tooth wear and chips or cracks in your enamel. A night guard can cover and protect your teeth to prevent tooth damage.
- Care for Your Oral Health: Brush and floss twice a day. Floss first, then brush with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Visit our dentist regularly for a cleaning and exam. We can spot any dental problems early and suggest treatment right away.
Contact Our Office Today
Do you need dental care now? Call Smile Land Family Dental at 210-939-9689 for emergency dentistry in San Antonio, TX. If you are unsure if you have a dental emergency, call our office for a second opinion. We will suggest either visiting our office immediately or making an appointment for later.