Emergency Dentistry in Highland Village

What Is a Dental Emergency?

Understanding What Issues Qualify

Not sure what conditions count as a dental emergency? Many different oral health problems demand emergency care, including oral injuries, toothaches, pulled-out crowns or fillings, and much more. In general, your child is having an emergency if their condition meets either of the following qualifications:

How Can I Ease My Child’s Pain Until We Get to the Dentist?

Your child could be experiencing a toothache for many reasons, such as having emerging teeth, a cracked tooth, decay, infection, damage to existing fillings, or food particles that are stuck between the teeth. 
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If you are experiencing significant tooth pain, this is considered a dental emergency. Healthy teeth should not be causing pain or discomfort. Here is what you should do to manage pain for the following dental emergencies until you can reach the dentist:
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Toothache/Abcess - A toothache that arises without any sign of dental trauma can be a sign of an oral health problem such as cavities, tooth decay, or gum disease. Examine the gums around the tooth to look for the appearance of an abscess, which looks like a pimple.
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If you notice a gum pimple and the presence of pus or swelling, the tooth is likely infected. It's important to get this treated as soon as possible so the infection does not spread throughout the body. You should rinse your mouth with lukewarm salt water to remove bacteria, reduce swelling, and reduce pain. 
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You can also use an antiseptic mouthwash or a hydrogen peroxide rinse. You will likely be in a lot of pain, so take an over-the-counter pain relief medication like ibuprofen that is the appropriate dose for children. Apply ice to the area to reduce the swelling and keep your head elevated. Pain can worsen overnight from laying flat, so try to prop up your head with extra pillows.
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A Knocked-Out Tooth - If your child has suffered from trauma to the teeth as a result of injury or an accident, it is important to hold onto the tooth if you can. Time is of the essence in this situation because a tooth can die within an hour of being dislodged from the socket. 
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Clean the tooth in some milk or a saline solution before trying to insert it back into the socket. If your child is unable to reattach the tooth, store it in a container of milk or their saliva. Rinse the mouth with a saline solution to remove bacteria and take ibuprofen for the pain. 
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Your child may experience swelling which can be reduced by applying ice to the area. If your child is bleeding, insert clean gauze at the site of the missing tooth and replace them as needed. Your child should be careful to avoid eating anything hard, crunchy, or sticky.
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Broken Tooth - A cracked or broken tooth can be quite serious if the crack was extensive enough to reveal the tooth's nerves. Rinse your mouth with some warm water and then place a cold compress to reduce facial swelling.  
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If your tooth has exposed nerves or dentin, your child may experience tooth sensitivity especially when drinking something cold. Make sure your child’s broken tooth isn’t very sharp and at risk for cutting the inside of their mouth. 
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In the case that there is a sharp edge of your tooth pressing against your tongue, you may want to look for temporary tooth fillings that are available at the pharmacy until you can reach the dentist.

How Can I Avoid Dental Emergencies?

If you suffer from tooth grinding, you should wear a nightguard while you sleep to prevent injury such as a cracked, broken, or loose tooth. It is also advisable to wear a mouthguard while playing contact sports to reduce the risk of dental trauma. Do not use your teeth as tools and be careful when chewing if you have had a lot of dental work done. 
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Toothaches caused by a dental infection, cavity, decay, or gum disease can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene and regularly attending dental visits every 6 months. You should brush for a minimum of two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. 
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Floss once daily to thoroughly remove food particles and reduce plaque buildup. Once plaque and tartar have built up in the mouth, you need to have it professionally removed through scaling and root planing at the dentist. 
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If plaque and tartar are left untreated, this can lead to severe decay and infection and end up requiring a root canal or extraction. By receiving regular dental cleanings and checkups, you greatly reduce your risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease with early detection and prevention.