Emergency Dentistry – Whitney, TX

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies tend to occur for one of two reasons. Either someone has developed an infection from neglecting their oral hygiene for a long time, or they suffered an unfortunate accident. In either case, the best thing to do is call our office right away. Until your appointment, here are some tips on managing some of the most common dental emergencies:

Toothaches

Something might be stuck between your teeth. If the pain persists after rinsing with saltwater and flossing, then take an over-the-counter pain medication. Make sure that you do not touch the area directly with aspirin, as it could worsen your discomfort. Apply a cold compress to your face for 10 minutes at a time if there is any swelling.

Knocked-Out Tooth

Time is of the essence in this situation. It’s possible to replant a dislodged tooth, but the chance of success dramatically decreases after about an hour. Without touching the root, gently rinse the tooth, but do NOT dry it off. Then, place it under your tongue or in a container of milk. This will keep it wet so that it can stay alive until you arrive at our office.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

Pick up all of the pieces of the tooth that you can find and store them in a secure container so you can bring them to your appointment. A cold compress can reduce pain and swelling. Cover the remaining tooth with dental wax or a piece of sugar-free gum to prevent it from cutting the inside of your mouth.

Learn About Tooth Extractions

Lost Filling/Crown

Rinse off the crown or filling and try placing it back on your tooth. Even if you don’t experience any discomfort, it’s wise to keep the tooth protected from damage or decay. If the restoration continues falling out, a tiny smear of toothpaste should help, but this is only a temporary solution.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

A few simple habits can go a long way in minimizing your risk of dental emergencies:

• Brush and floss daily to keep your teeth strong and resistant to decay.
• Keep up with your biannual checkups so we can catch small problems before they worsen and become larger emergencies.
• Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports.
• Avoid using your teeth to open packages or chew on hard objects like pencils, pens, ice, popcorn kernels, hard candy, etc.

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Because there are so many different kinds of dental emergencies, it’s almost impossible to provide you with a cost estimate unless you let us evaluate your situation. Your treatment might range from a simple course of antibiotics to extracting and replacing a tooth entirely. Our team will go over your treatment options with you and help you get the care your smile needs without breaking the bank.

TMJ/TMD Therapy

The joint that connects your jaw to the rest of your skull is known as your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and it’s one of the most complex joints in your whole body. When it isn’t quite working correctly, it can cause severe pain. If you suffer from chronic jaw pain or serious headaches in the morning, you might have a TMJ disorder (TMD). At Lake Whitney Dental, we can provide treatment to relax these muscles and relieve your symptoms.

Root Canal Therapy

Although many people fear the words “root canal,” the procedure is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, it can save a natural tooth that would otherwise need to be removed. When a tooth suffers decay or damage extensive enough to reach the nerve in its center, it can create a monstrous toothache. Root canal therapy removes the infected parts of your tooth, seals off the inner chamber, and restores the tooth with a dental crown. The procedure is actually designed to relieve pain and help you keep your natural tooth for much longer.