Emergency Dentist – North Central San Antonio, TX
Stop Your Pain with a Same-Day Appointment
By nature, dental emergencies tend to be sudden, scary, and very inconvenient. If you or a family member are currently experiencing a traumatic injury and/or severe oral pain, the first step is to stay as calm as possible. Then, pick up the phone and call your emergency dentist in North Central San Antonio. Our skilled dental team is here to assist you. Dr. Eck will see you the same day to give you the relief you need using the latest advancements in dentistry.
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
You can never tell when a dental emergency is going to happen to you. Although you never expect to find yourself in this situation, it is more common than you might believe. 1 in 6 Americans faces one every year. Often, they occur without any warning from an accident or injury to the face or mouth. Other times, they are the result of an issue that has been brewing undetected, like a cavity.
No matter the cause it can be difficult to determine what exactly constitutes as a true dental emergency. If you are unsure, we are here to help. We are only a phone call away to provide you with the guidance you need to perform first-aid at home until your emergency dental appointment.
Toothache
A toothache is among the most common dental emergencies. While it is often thought it is normal to have one from time to time, any unexplained pain should be evaluated by your dentist quickly. It could be the result of an infection that will require a root canal to save your tooth. In the meantime, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to manage your discomfort.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
A tooth can break for a variety of reasons, such as trauma to the mouth or an untreated cavity. No matter the cause, it must be treated right away, or you risk losing your tooth. Besides taking a pain reliever, apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to manage any swelling. Keep your tooth clean and avoid chewing with it until after it is repaired.
Knocked-Out Tooth
A knocked-out tooth can be devastating, but not all hope is lost. We may be able to save it if you act quickly by rinsing your tooth with cool water and trying to reinsert it back into its socket. If you are not successful, place it in a cup of milk and head to our office. If we cannot save your tooth, we offer the latest dental prosthetics to complete your smile.
Lost Filling/Crown
It is natural for crowns and fillings to come loose over time. If you have one fall out, do not try to fix it on your own. Instead, maintain your oral hygiene and do not chew on your tooth until after it is repaired.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
No dental emergency can be prevented fully, but there are several things you can do to decrease the likeliness for one occurring, such as:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss your teeth nightly.
- Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages.
- Do not chew on inedible objects.
- Do not bite on overly hard foods.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
It may be tempting to delay getting the care you need because you fear the cost of an emergency visit. There is nothing to worry about. You can use your dental coverage to help lower the amount you need to pay. There is no set cost you can expect to pay because the fees are determined by your individual treatment plan. We provide you with an estimate and discuss your payment options. We will maximize the value of your policy to keep your treatment affordable.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
If you have a dental emergency, do not wait. Contact our office today for an appointment.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Your recovery from a dental emergency relies on you being able to make the right decisions at the time the trauma occurs. To aid in your preparation, we’ve provided answers to four frequently asked questions that pertain to dental trauma. Taking heed to what you learn will factor greatly in the restoration of your oral health, and it will help to prevent any unnecessary suffering. Then, with the expert care of Dr. Eck or Dr. Sage at our San Antonio office, you can soon get back to leading a normal and fully-functional life.
How Do I Know It’s a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency will typically fall into one of the following categories: intense tooth pain, complete or partial tooth loss, excessive bleeding, a lost restoration or acute jaw pain. The first step you should take in any of these situations is to calmly assess what has happened, and then reach out to our office to schedule an appointment with either Dr. Eck or Dr. Sage. We’ll examine you, make a diagnosis and develop a plan of action to provide effective and expedient relief.
When Should I Head to the Emergency Room?
While it’s rare for a dental emergency to warrant a trip to the emergency room, there are some situations that require it. Here are two examples of problems that need more immediate care:
- Acute Jaw Pain – If you’ve received a blow to the face or you’ve had a bad fall, and there is resulting jaw pain, it could be a sign of a fracture. In such a case, keep your jaw as immobile as possible and head to the emergency room.
- Excessive Bleeding – A typical response to oral bleeding is to gently apply or bite down on a cotton gauze in the affected area. If this is unsuccessful and bleeding continues for more than 10 minutes, then visit the emergency room.
If the Pain Stops, Should I Still Visit?
While one of our goals here is to provide you with methods to stabilize your dental emergency, these are all temporary. Therefore, no form of dental trauma should ever be ignored. Although a brief ease in the pain sensation may give a false sense of security, the problem won’t just go away. Worse, by ignoring it, you run the risk of an even greater catastrophe soon occurring.
By paying either Dr. Eck or Dr. Sage a visit, you can have the peace-of-mind of knowing that there will be no re-emerging problems to knock you off balance in the future.
How Long Will It Take Me to Recover?
Because dental trauma can vary so, there are no set time parameters for recovery. Some issues can be rectified by one of our capable dentists prescribing medication, while there are others that require more complex forms of care. The good news is when you visit our San Antonio office, and you undergo a full examination, Dr. Eck or Dr. Sage can make an accurate diagnosis and then map-out a complete treatment protocol for your recovery. At that time, you’ll also be provided with any other pertinent details so you can stay completely in the loop.