What to do in a dental emergency

Dental emergencies can occur at any time. But they don’t always require a visit to a traditional emergency room at a hospital. In most situations, patients can make a same-day appointment with a dentist who offers emergency dentistry care for new and current patients. Drs. Mark Duncan and Mandy Holley understand how significant it is to get problem teeth addressed properly and within a certain time frame when time is of the essence. Patients faced with a dental emergency should contact a dentist first to determine if the situation can be resolved with their help. 

What are common dental emergencies? 

It is critical that patients understand what makes a situation a dental emergency. Any issue that can wait for 24 hours, such as swollen gums or a canker sore may want to call their dentist during business hours to book an appointment when possible. However, certain conditions and situations may occur in which patients will want to work with an emergency dentist and get in immediately if possible. Below are just a few of the more common dental emergencies and recommendations that might be made: 

•         Broken tooth – injury to the tooth can cause breakage, and without treatment, patients might experience a severe toothache, significant bleeding, or sensitive teeth that might become infected with exposure of the inner dental pulp.
•         Avulsed tooth – an avulsed tooth is a tooth that has been removed from the mouth due to an injury. Patients need to bring the tooth into the dentist as soon as possible to improve the chances of reattaching it into place.
•         Injuries to lips, tongue, or soft tissues – soft tissue injuries may be caused by an injury and need to be evaluated by a dentist as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.
•         Severe toothaches – a severe toothache along with swelling may be a sign of an infection. Infections might require treatments such as root canal therapy to save the tooth from permanent extraction and replacement.

Are you in need of immediate dental assistance? 

Contact Drs. Mark Duncan and Mandy Holley of Aesthetic Dentistry of Georgetown to schedule a same-day appointment when possible. Their practice is located in Georgetown, TX at 3622 Williams Drive, Building 2 and can be reached at (512) 819-9100.