Emergency Dentistry – Colleyville, TX

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

Even if you just think you’re dealing with a dental emergency, it’s wise to go ahead and contact our dental office. That way, we can evaluate your situation and let you know if you require immediate care. In the meantime, before your appointment, there are certain things you can do to reduce pain and give our team the best possible chance of saving a tooth. Here’s how to take control during some of the most common dental emergencies.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

• Most dental emergencies can be prevented by brushing and flossing every day. This keeps the teeth free of infection and strong so they are resistant to breaking.
• Preserve your teeth and do not bite into hard items like ice, peppermints, pen caps, etc.
• Sports-related dental injuries are common for athletes at all levels, so make sure you and your children always wear a mouthguard before hitting the field, mat, or court.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles—this is a great way to chip them!

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Just like with medical emergencies, the type of care required for a dental emergency will differ depending on the type and severity of someone’s injury. Our main goal is to stop a patient’s pain first and foremost, and then we can discuss repairing any damage. We’re happy to accept all dental insurance plans and also offer flexible financing to make this type of care easily affordable.

TMJ/TMD Therapy

Often, oral pain doesn’t stem from the teeth, but rather the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. This is the set of hinges that allows your lower jaw to move freely, but if it becomes strained or injured, it can cause jaw stiffness, constant clicking and popping, and even chronic headaches. If you’ve dealt with orofacial pain for years and haven’t found a solution, TMJ therapy is likely the best way to address the root cause of your problem.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Dental emergencies are typically sudden and overwhelming. That’s why it’s a good idea to have as many answers about handling these scary situations before they happen. For your convenience, your Colleyville emergency dentist Dr. Cassie Allison has gathered below some of the most common questions she receives about dental emergencies. If you don’t see the answer you’re looking for, contact our office right away and we’ll be happy to help!

When Is a Toothache a Dental Emergency?

Thankfully, most toothaches are not a dental emergency. However, certain types of dental pain my be a warning sign of a larger issue that needs urgent professional attention. You should contact us right away if your toothache is accompanied by:

• Intense pain that lasts for more than 1-2 days.
• Darkening or loosening of a tooth.
• Bleeding or inflamed gum tissue.
• A small, pimple-like bump on the gums.
• Swelling in the gums, jaw, face, or neck.

What If My Child Knocks Out a Baby Tooth?

Baby teeth aren’t meant to be permanent fixtures in your little one’s smile. However, that doesn’t make having one unexpectedly knocked out any less alarming! Give us a call right away so we can schedule an appointment with you. If it was close to falling out naturally and there’s enough room for the permanent tooth underneath to come in, we may not have to do anything. However, if the baby tooth was knocked out very early, we may place a space retainer to keep the surrounding teeth from shifting into the gap.

I’m Feeling Really Anxious About My Dental Emergency—Can You Help?

It’s completely natural to feel flustered, anxious, or worried when you or your loved one is in the midst of a dental emergency. Dr. Allison and her team strive to make every appointment as pleasant as possible, whether you’re coming in for a cleaning or urgent dental care. With the help of sedation dentistry methods like nitrous oxide, we can help patients of all ages instantly feel more relaxed and at-ease during their treatment. We’ll ensure you are as comfortable as possible while we relieve your pain and repair your smile.

When Should I Visit the E.R. Instead of My Colleyville Dentist?

In almost every case, you’ll save yourself time, money, pain, and effort by bringing your dental emergency to us instead of the emergency room. However, there are a few serious situations where you should go directly to your local E.R., including:

• Broken or dislocated jaw.
• Deep laceration or wound that won’t stop healing.
• Swelling in the mouth, jaw, or head that’s making it difficult to swallow or breathe.

Once you’re in stable condition, we’ll be able to address your dental emergency. If you ever find yourself wondering if you need urgent dental care, what to do, or who to turn to, give us a call! We’ll give you personalized, step-by-step recommendations for the best possible outcome.