FAQs About Emergency Dental Care

A dental emergency can interrupt your life and make it come to a sudden halt. Symptoms like tooth pain make it impossible to concentrate on work or enjoy time with friends and family. This is why MINT dentistry strongly recommends seeking treatment as soon as possible when you notice signs of a dental emergency.

Whether you have broken your tooth or you experienced facial trauma, it is important to get checked by a doctor before the issue gets worse. So, what is considered a dental emergency? How can you treat pain while waiting for your dental appointment in Dallas or Houston, TX? Today, our dentists will review some of the most common FAQs we receive regarding emergency dental care.

What is considered a dental emergency?

So, what is considered a dental emergency? An emergency is generally characterized by painful symptoms caused by a sudden injury or accident. Signs of a dental emergency can include a severe toothache or a chipped tooth. Other times, an emergency is caused by a lingering tooth infection or abscess. Since these kinds of issues rarely solve on their own, you should call your dentist at the first sign of trouble.

What if I have a broken or chipped tooth?

While the enamel that covers your teeth is very strong, it can break during extreme circumstances. Tooth decay can even increase your chances of getting a broken or chipped tooth. Even if you do not have any tooth pain from a broken tooth, it is still important to see a dentist. An unprotected tooth can be exposed to harmful bacteria and other problems.

What if I have a loose permanent tooth?

A loose permanent tooth may be the result of an accident and does require the care of a doctor. Patients can try to push the tooth back in its original position using light pressure. However, do not use excessive force to move the tooth. Your dentist in Dallas or Houston, TX will find ways to help stabilize the tooth during your appointment.

What about tissue injury or facial pain?

Any injury inside the mouth, such as lacerations or tears in the cheeks, mouth, or tongue, can be considered a dental emergency, depending on the depth of the cut. If you experience a tissue injury, clean the area immediately. Most bleeding can be resolved by placing pressure on the wound using gauze. You can also alleviate facial pain by taking over-the-counter pain relievers.

What about problems with temporary restorations?

A temporary restoration falling off is not necessarily a dental emergency. Our team recommends putting the restoration back into place until you can visit a dentist. You can use a small amount of denture adhesive to help it fit into place. If the restoration fell out as a result of facial trauma and is accompanied by bleeding, pain, and other symptoms, these are signs of a dental emergency.

Find emergency dental care

Dental emergencies could strike at any time, and it can be difficult to know what to do in these situations. This is why MINT dentistry provides emergency dental care throughout the Dallas and Houston, TX, areas. You or a member of your family can make a last-minute appointment in case of a sudden emergency. Contact us to discuss your dental situation and learn about treatment options.