If you are experiencing a dental emergency, contact our office as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. We provide emergency dentistry in Argyle, TX, and make every effort to see you the same day if considered necessary. Prompt care in the event of dental trauma can often minimize permanent damage.
What to do During a Dental Emergency
Argyle Family Dentistry is committed to your long-term dental health and wellness. In the event of an unexpected dental emergency, please contact our Argyle dental office right away. We will help you decide what your next steps should be and we will schedule an appointment. For after hours emergencies, the on-call dentist will get back to you promptly.
Early intervention can prevent more serious complications when you are experiencing a dental emergency. Our goal is prevent infections, stop infections, prevent further damage, and save your teeth.
Toothache
A toothache can range in severity from causing minor discomfort to extreme pain. If you have a toothache, you likely have an underlying issue ranging from stuck food to a serious dental infection. When you get a toothache, you should:
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean it and remove debris that might irritate the aching area.
- Gently floss between teeth to remove food that is stuck as this can lead to gum irritation and pain.
- Never place aspirin directly on your aching tooth or gums. Aspirin can burn the gum tissue and worsen the pain.
You can manage your pain with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. If you apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek, it will help with any swelling and discomfort. Persistent toothaches require professional evaluation to address the root cause effectively.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Whether you bit down too hard or suffered an accident, a chipped or broken tooth needs attention. The severity of the break can vary, affecting both appearance and function. Here’s what to do:
- Save all the pieces of the tooth you can find because your dentist might be able to reattach them, depending on the extent of the damage.
- Rinse your mouth with luke warm water to clean the area and remove debris.
- If the area around the tooth is bleeding, apply clean gauze and hold it in place until the bleeding stops.
- To ease any pain and swelling, place a cold compress on your face.
- Avoid chewing on hard foods until you receive professional care to prevent additional damage.
After your dentist assesses the tooth, he will suggest dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or dental crowns. These treatments will fully restore your tooth’s appearance and function.
Knocked-Out Tooth
When you lose a tooth, time is of the essence. You have a better chance of saving your tooth if contact us as soon as possible. Please follow these steps:
- Hold the tooth by the crown and never touch the root. If you touch the root, it is possible to damage the cells necessary for reattachment.
- Rinse the tooth if it is dirty by gently running it under water. However, never scrub the tooth under any circumstances as this will remove vital tissue fragments.
- Try to place the tooth back in its socket if possible. If you can place it in the socket, gently bite down on a piece of clean gauze to hold it in place.
- If reinsertion fails, store the tooth in milk or a tooth preservation product. These solutions help maintain the tooth’s viability.
- Visit your dentist within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.
The dentist will assess your lost tooth to see if he can place it back in the socket. If this is not possible, he will explain all of your tooth replacement options.
Lost Dental Filling or Crown
If you lose a dental filling or if your dental crown falls off, it will increase the risk of damaging the tooth further. Here’s how to handle it:
- Keep the crown safe and bring it to your dentist. They might be able to reattach it if it’s in good condition.
- Use dental cement, available at drugstores, to temporarily reattach the crown to protect the exposed tooth until you see your dentist.
- Avoid using glue or any other adhesive because they are not safe for oral use.
At your appointment, the dentist will evaluate the tooth. There is a chance he can place the dental crown back on the tooth. Your dentist will check for underlying issues to see why the restoration failed.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Here are common dental emergency concerns and how to manage them until you can be seen by a member of our dental care team.
What to do if a tooth is chipped?
Damage to the structure of the tooth such as a chip or crack should be treated in a timely manner. Left untreated, a small chip can become a crack or even lead to decay and tooth loss. If you chip or crack a tooth, contact our office and we will provide guidance based on the location and severity of the damage.
What to do if a tooth is knocked out?
A knocked out tooth requires immediate care from a dentist in most cases. If your tooth has been knocked out in an accident, first try to locate the tooth and place under the tongue or in a glass of milk to keep it moist. Contact our office right away for guidance and a likely same-day appointment. If possible, the found tooth can also be placed back in the socket, as long as the exposed root is not impacted and this can be done without pain.
What to do if my dental crown falls out or breaks?
A dental crown that has become dislodged, fallen out, or is damaged may need to be replaced. Contact our office when this happens so that we can schedule an appointment as needed and provide guidance on how to manage at home. We can also work with you to repair or replace a damaged dental bridge or denture. Prompt care for damaged dental restorations is important and will help you avoid the development of additional dental problems.