EMERGENCY DENTIST IN HURST, TX
We Can Treat Toothaches, Injuries & More
WHY CHOOSE CIMARRON FAMILY DENTISTRY FOR EMERGENCY DENTAL CARE IN HURST?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Modern Dental Office With Advanced Technology & Comfort Amenities
- Dr. De Vincenzo's Background Includes Treating Emergencies in a Level 1 Trauma Hospital
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Dental emergencies are typically sorted into two major categories. First, there are the situations that happen unexpectedly and often through no fault of the sufferer, such as an accidental stumble down some stairs or a ball thrown right in someone’s face. This type of trauma can result in dental fractures, oral bleeding, and even completely knocked-out teeth. On the other hand, a lack of proper oral hygiene can eventually result in the second kind of emergency – advanced dental infections.
- Severe and persistent tooth pain can indicate an underlying issue, such as an abscess, cavity, or infection.
- Chipped or broken tooth can result from an injury or biting down on something hard. If the break is significant or painful, it's considered an emergency.
- A tooth that has been completely dislodged from its socket requires urgent attention for the best chance of being saved.
- If a filling or crown falls out, the tooth may become sensitive or painful, and the exposed tooth structure is at risk of further damage.
- An abscess is a painful infection typically at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It's important to treat an abscess promptly as it can lead to more serious infections if left untreated.
- While occasional bleeding after brushing or flossing isn't usually an emergency, persistent or excessive bleeding could be a sign of gum disease.
- Swelling in the jaw & mouth can be caused by an infection, abscess, trauma, or other serious conditions and often requires urgent dental care.
- Injuries to the lips, cheeks, gums, or tongue that result in bleeding or severe cuts may need emergency care.
- Severe jaw pain could be caused by TMJ disorders, trauma, or infections, and may require prompt treatment.
If you experience any of these situations, it’s important to contact an emergency dentist in Hurst, TX, as soon as possible. In the meantime, applying basic first aid can help manage pain and prevent further damage. Here are some helpful tips for what you and your family can do when faced with some of these situations:
Toothaches
Sometimes, prolonged dental pain may be caused by a piece of food lodged between the teeth and gum tissue. We encourage patients to rule out this possibility by flossing and rinsing their mouth. If the discomfort carries on without any changes, it’s time to contact Cimarron Family Dentistry. There’s likely advanced decay present that will need to be treated with root canal therapy.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
These types of injuries can happen with a wide range of severities. Have any large pieces of the tooth become dislodged? If so, gather them up and plan to bring them with you to our dental office. A cold compress can help keep facial swelling under control. Our dentists may be able to restore the painful tooth with a dental crown, or the damage could be too severe and result in an extraction – whatever the case is, we hope you’ll reach out to us for help right away.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Stay calm! Do you still have the tooth? If the answer is “yes,” rinse any foreign debris from the white crown portion (while taking care to keep any connective tissue and the root as untouched as possible) before gently inserting it into its original position within the mouth. If this can’t be done safely, you can also hold the tooth in your cheek pocket or carry it in a container of milk. There is a very short window of time available for reattaching knocked-out teeth, so contact our dental office immediately for further instruction.
Lost Filling/Crown
While losing a dental restoration isn’t as alarming as the above emergencies, it can still cause unpleasant sensitivity and discomfort because the treated tooth is now exposed to the elements. Make sure to contact Cimarron Family Dentistry so that we can schedule a time to fix or replace the lost filling/crown.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Here are some helpful ways to reduce you and your family’s odds of developing a dental emergency as you go about your daily lives:
- Remember to schedule two dental checkups and cleanings each year! These visits will give our dentists the valuable opportunity to discover any damage early on and stop it in its tracks.
- Limit exposure to foods that are overly hard to chew or sticky. Also, make sure to not chew on the ice in your cold drinks.
- Use scissors or the appropriate tools for tearing into tricky packaging – don’t rely on your teeth!
- Always wear a mouthguard if you participate in sporting events where physical contact can happen.
The Cost of Emergency Care
No two emergency situations are alike – some patients may only need a prescription to return to their regular routine, while others will benefit from extensive reconstructive care like a new dental crown or tooth replacement with modern dental implants. During your initial appointment, our team will be sure to review any findings and our treatment recommendations with full transparency, outlining prices clearly before any actual procedures are scheduled. We’re also happy to file dental insurance claims on your behalf!
Frequently Asked Questions
A dental emergency can happen to anyone at any time, so it’s important to be prepared well before a serious problem occurs. Below are the answers to some of the common questions our patients sometimes ask. If you have other concerns, remember that you can always brings them to your emergency dentist.
Will I Need to Go to the Emergency Room?
You should call a hospital emergency room for any life-threatening issue. This includes a fractured or dislocated jaw, severe lacerations or bleeding in your mouth or on your face, and swelling that’s making it difficult to swallow or breathe. Apart from these and similar situations, though, it’s better to see a dentist for emergency dental issues. The doctors at the emergency room simply won’t have the tools and training needed to provide comprehensive care for your teeth; they might be able to give you antibiotics for an infection, but this will only provide temporary relief.
What Happens if a Permanent Tooth Isn’t Replanted?
A missing tooth could affect your ability to speak and chew well, but that’s hardly the only problem. Your remaining teeth will drift out of place and create a misaligned bite, which can cause severe orthodontic problems and jaw pain. Furthermore, without the stimulation that the tooth provides, the unused portion of the jawbone will start to deteriorate. Your facial structure will eventually collapse as a result, and you’ll appear much older. For this reason, we’ll always replant a tooth when we can; if it’s no longer possible, there are other treatments we can use to protect your oral health, such as dental implants.
Is It an Emergency if a Baby Tooth is Knocked Out?
Baby teeth eventually fall out on their own, of course, but being knocked out due to injury can potentially cause problems. There usually isn’t any cause for panic, but you’ll need to make an appointment as soon as possible; the permanent teeth underneath might have been damaged and we may have to take X-rays to check. Younger children whose mouths still need a lot of development will likely need a spacer so that their dental development isn’t disrupted by drifting teeth; on the other hand, if the child is older, we might be able to treat the tooth as though it came out normally.
Are Sensitive Teeth Considered an Emergency?
If your teeth hurt whenever you expose them to hot or cold foods, there could be a few different explanations. It could be that your gums are receding due to gum disease, which if left untreated can lead to tooth loss and increase your risk of other health problems. Sensitivity can also be caused by a dental abscess (a pocket of pus) that’s a sign of infection; in other cases, it might be the result of enamel that’s worn down over time. It’s best to have your teeth checked out as soon as possible so that we can determine the cause and form an appropriate treatment plan.
What are the signs of a dental abscess that needs urgent care?
Symptoms include severe, persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold, fever, swelling in the face or cheek, tender lymph nodes in your neck, and a foul taste in your mouth.
How Do I prevent dental emergencies?
If you find yourself in an unpleasant emergency dental situation, you’re likely willing to commit to doing whatever it takes to avoid the same situation down the line. Here are some key strategies to help minimize the risk of dental emergencies:
Get Same-Day Relief From Our Emergency Dentist in Hurst, TX
The most important thing to do when you’ve got a dental emergency on your hands is to get prompt help! Give our compassionate emergency dentists at Cimarron Family Dentistry a call for fast relief and effective solutions.
