At Smile Land Family Dental, your health is our top priority. We understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time. Of course, this can cause pain and anxiety. We are here to provide emergency dentistry treatment in San Antonio, TX when you need it most. Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals is dedicated to addressing your urgent dental concerns with care and comfort.
We aim to deliver quick, quality dental care as soon as possible. We want our office to be a warm, welcoming place in your times of need. Unexpected dental issues can 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 immediate care to alleviate your pain.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
Understanding when to seek emergency care can help improve your oral health. A dental emergency involves any oral health issue that requires immediate attention. This can relieve severe pain, prevent further damage, or save a tooth.
Common emergency dentistry problems we treat in San Antonio, TX, include the following:
- Severe Toothache: Persistent and intense tooth pain can indicate an infection or other issues that need immediate attention. At home, take pain medication. Then call our office for treatment. Depending on the cause of your tooth pain, we can recommend various treatments. Treatments can include root canal treatment, gum therapy, or tooth removal.
- Cracked or Fractured Tooth: A broken or fractured tooth can be painful. It can also expose the inner layers of your tooth to bacteria. After you break a tooth, gently rinse it in cool water and apply pressure to the tooth with a clean cloth. If possible, locate the broken tooth and bring it to our office. We can adhere the separate parts together or recommend a restoration to cover your damaged tooth.
- Lost Filling or Crown: If a filling or crown falls out, it’s vital to see a dentist quickly to avoid further damage to your tooth. Do not try to place the filling or crown back in your mouth. You can damage your teeth or gums. If you find your restoration, bring it to our office. We can place it back on your tooth or create a new restoration.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: If a tooth has been completely knocked out, quick action can save your tooth. 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 does not work, put it in a cup of saliva while you seek emergency dental care.
- Abscess or Swelling: Swelling in the gums, face, or neck can indicate an infection. This requires immediate attention to prevent its spread. 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, apply pressure to the injury with gauze or a clean cloth. If you experience excessive bleeding and cannot 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 immediately fix a fractured jaw.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Just knowing what a dental emergency is is not quite enough. You should also know what to do. Keeping a level head can help protect your oral health.
- 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 may take wrong or unnecessary steps that compromise your oral health.
- 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. Additionally, you can try a cold compress or ice to help manage and reduce 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 help protect the teeth and gums during contact sports. Wearing a professional, custom mouthguard can prevent chipped, cracked, and broken teeth. It can also prevent tooth loss. Sports mouthguards also protect braces. If your child wears braces, they must wear a mouthguard during sports to prevent broken brackets and wires.
- 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 before brushing, and then brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Remember to visit our dentist regularly so we can provide a cleaning and exam. We can keep track of any emerging dental issues at these visits. Then, we can recommend treatment to provide early intervention.
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 so we can consider your symptoms. We will recommend either visiting our office immediately or making a later appointment.