What qualifies as a dental emergency?
If you think it's an emergency, I think it's an emergency. Most dental emergencies are pain-related. You can have dental pain, a broken tooth, or a swollen face—these are all dental emergencies. If you call and you're in pain, we'll find a way to squeeze you in today. We might not be able to fix the tooth permanently based on our schedule, but we will do something to identify the problem and get you out of pain as quickly as possible. Other times, you might have a front tooth break, or a front crown or veneer fall off. There's no pain, but emotionally, there's pain because you have to go out in public. Most people would agree that's an emergency, and we would treat it that way too.
What do I do if I lost a tooth?
If you lose a tooth due to trauma, the first thing you want to do is call me. You're likely bleeding, swollen, and in pain. If the tooth came out, retrieve it and bring it with you, ideally in a cup of milk or at least some water to keep it hydrated. If the tooth partially comes out, try to push it back into position. It's painful, but important to make treatment later more feasible. If it falls on the ground, don't put the dirty tooth back into the spot; bring it in a cup, and we'll deal with it when you come in. Try to save the tooth. If you swallow the tooth, come in anyway, and we'll figure out the best solution to replace it quickly.
Can you treat a lost tooth in one visit?
Yes, depending on the situation and the extent of trauma. Sometimes we can re-implant the same tooth into its socket. Other times, the tooth is too damaged, and we can place a dental implant and a temporary crown in the same visit. If that's not possible, we will find another solution to ensure you're not walking around missing a front tooth. Whatever it takes to maintain your smile, we will find a way to make sure you have an intact smile.
How can I handle an emergency after hours?
If it's a true emergency, like a swollen face or throat, go to the emergency room. Dental emergencies can lead to medical emergencies, and if you have any doubt, head to a hospital emergency room rather than an acute care center. Otherwise, call your dentist. If you have a dentist of record, contact that dentist. If not, call a dentist the next morning. It's difficult for a dentist who's never seen you to meet after hours. If you're a patient of record and it's a true emergency, I will find a way to meet you at the office as soon as possible. The highest level emergencies should be handled at the emergency room.
What can I do to manage severe tooth pain until my appointment comes?
First, your dentist should know you're in pain. We don't want you suffering. Some dental pain can be solved easily. If you've had recent dental work, it's not uncommon to have tooth pain or discomfort, which usually just requires a bite adjustment. This won't get better on its own. If you have an infection that wasn't painful before, your dentist wants to help. Make sure you're communicating with the office so they can recommend the best course of action to ensure your comfort until final treatment can be completed.
Who am I?
Hey everyone, this is Dr. Michael Hardcastle from Village Dental Care in North Dallas. I get a lot of questions routinely, and one of the questions I got lately was about emergency dentistry and when do I need to seek out emergency dental care for certain situations.
What is considered a dental emergency?
At the end of the day, the top of the list dental emergency is anything that's happening in your mouth that causes pain. There are other things we would consider an emergency too because we know you would consider them an emergency. If a front tooth breaks, even if it doesn't hurt, most people would consider that an emergency. If you've got a crown or a veneer that comes off on a front tooth, anything that's visible in your smile, we would also consider that an emergency. But in general, aside from cosmetic things, anything that's causing you pain in your mouth, you should come and see the dentist for an emergency dental visit.
When do I need to see an emergency dentist versus going to an emergency?
It's a really important question because most people don't realize that hospital personnel, even emergency doctors, are not trained in oral problems unless it’s related to trauma. General pain in the mouth, broken teeth, anything that might cause pain should be treated by your dentist. You don't want to wait eight hours in a hospital emergency room only for them to tell you to see your dentist. There is one exception: if you have swelling or an infection in your face or neck that causes serious health complications, you should seek an emergency room as soon as possible.
What are common types of dental emergencies?
Common types of dental emergencies include a painful tooth. Coming to the dentist for an evaluation to find out what's causing the pain is the first step. An abscessed tooth is another common emergency. An abscess can happen with the gums or the tooth itself, and treatment varies based on the source of the infection. Sensitivity of the teeth can also be an emergency and is often caused by a cavity or recession exposing the root. Broken dentures or any dental work that has come out of your mouth also requires urgent attention.
When do I need an emergency dental extraction?
If a person comes in with an infection caused by severe decay, antibiotics alone won't resolve it. The tooth needs treatment. If the tooth is not savable, an emergency extraction is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading. This is considered an emergency extraction and should be done as soon as possible. In the case of wisdom teeth, if there's an infection or pericornitis, an emergency extraction may be needed.
What are my options for anesthesia?
We always aim for painless anesthesia in our office. It starts with good technique and understanding our patients' anxiety levels. We use anesthetics that hurt the least and offer sedation options like laughing gas for mild to moderate anxiety and oral sedation for moderate to severe anxiety. Oral sedation requires a driver and someone to stay with you for a few hours after the procedure.
When can I be seen for an emergency visit?
During normal business hours, we block time on our schedule for emergencies so that we can squeeze you in the same day. If it's after hours and you're a patient of record, give us a call so we can troubleshoot and advise you. If you're not a patient of record and it's severe pain, go to the emergency room for immediate relief. The earlier in the day you call, the better chance we have to work you in. We want to help you, so please call as early as possible.
I hope these answers have addressed some of your questions and helped you. If you have any other questions, please give us a call at Village Dental Care. Our number is (972) 992-5223, or you can visit us at VillageDentalDallas.com.
Dental Emergencies
See Us ASAP For Pain Relief!
- Restore your oral health right away
- Stop your pain & protect your smile fast
- Choose sedation to calm your nerves
Visit an Emergency Dentist in Dallas for Urgent Care
Even if you aren’t dealing with a dental emergency now, it’s important to know where you can go for fast assistance when you need it. As your emergency dentist in Dallas, there are very few situations Dr. Hardcastle hasn’t treated in his more than 26 years as a dentist. He will help you:
- Avoid further damage to your teeth and gums
- Ease your dental pain and restore your oral health
- Understand the procedures necessary to save your smile
- Feel comfortable with the help of dental sedation and amenities
Call (972) 992-5223 for any urgent dental needs. We’re here to help!
Find Relief for Your Dental Emergency
You don’t want to ignore severe pain or dental injury. Left untreated, you may face further damage to your oral health or risk infecting other teeth. Since emergencies can happen to anyone at any age, we’re here to help your whole family get help ASAP in urgent situations. Here are some solutions that Dr. Hardcastle may recommend to repair your smile:
- Gum Disease Treatment – Severe pain in your mouth may be a sign of gum disease. We can restore your gum health with a deep cleaning procedure. We may recommend follow-up appointments to further prevent the infection.
- Tooth Fillings – A cavity can be painful, and fillings are often the best solution. Our tooth-colored fillings are metal-free, so they will blend in beautifully with your smile.
- Root Canal – There’s no need to fear a root canal based on its negative reputation. It stops pain and saves your tooth from an extraction. If an infection has reached the pulp of your tooth, we’ll treat the disease and get your tooth back to its healthy state.
- Tooth Removal – Sometimes an extraction is the best option to save other healthy teeth. We’ll gently remove the tooth and then work with you on a replacement option once you’ve healed.
- Dental Crowns – A crown can cover a damaged tooth or large cavity. We can also place one with an implant if you need to replace a lost tooth.
There’s no reason to worry about any of these procedures. You can choose sedation if you feel nervous, either laughing gas or oral sedation. We’ll also take the time to show you what’s going on inside your mouth with an intraoral camera and answer any questions you have. You can also take advantage of cozy amenities like plush blankets and soft pillows. Plus, you can watch television to distract you from your treatment.
Call (972) 992-5223 for fast help from an emergency dentist in Dallas. For non-urgent situations, you can also request an appointment online.
Protect Your Smile from Dental Emergencies
Most people don’t want to handle an emergency situation, especially if it can be avoided! While it’s not possible to stop every urgent dental situation, there are preventive steps you can take to avoid many of them. Here are a few tips:
- Visit us twice a year for your dental checkups. We like to stay ahead of problems before they get worse. By seeing us regularly for cleanings and exams, we’ll address oral health issues as they arise instead of when you’re already in pain.
- Wear a mouthguard. If you or your child plays sports, you want a device that can prevent damage. We’ll custom-create a mouthguard just for you that fits comfortably and lasts longer than anything from the store. We can also fit you for mouthguards that prevent teeth grinding, a habit that can result in injury to your teeth.
- Don’t use your teeth like scissors. We understand you want to rip into that package you got in the mail but avoid using your teeth to open it. You can chip or loosen a tooth by doing so.
- Practice good oral hygiene. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once keep bacteria and cavities away. During your checkup, we can go over your at-home routine and offer tips to improve your technique.
- Avoid a sugary diet. When you have a diet with too much sugar, you put your teeth and gums at risk for more cavities. Make sure to have a balanced, nutritious diet and sip water throughout the day. Your smile will thank you!