Emergency Dentistry: The Care You Need, When You Need It
No one plans to have a dental or oral health emergency. Unfortunately, they still happen. So, even if you don't plan on experiencing a dental emergency, you should have a plan in place, and that plan can look like turning to the experienced dental care team at August Dental for emergency dentistry services.
Common Dental Emergencies
- Abscess - An abscess is an oral bacterial infection. They can cause pain, swelling, bite changes, the feeling of a raised or overly-long tooth, and fever. They require immediate treatment and prescription antibiotics. Left unaddressed, these infections can be quite serious and even life threatening.
- Avulsed or Luxated Tooth - A knocked-out or almost-knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency. If your tooth has been knocked-out, be careful not to touch its roots. If you can, place it back in its socket. If you're too swollen, hold it in between your gums and cheek on your way to the dentist.
- Broken or Chipped Tooth - Some minor chips or breaks are not serious, but any that extend deeper than the outer layer of tooth enamel can put a tooth at risk of infection and complications. Chips and breaks can also create sharp edges in your mouth that can damage your soft tissues. Chips and breaks should be examined, sealed, and restored right away.
- Loose or Lost Dental Crown or Filling - Dental crowns and dental fillings can sometimes come loose or fall off completely, exposing the interior of the tooth to bacteria and putting it at risk of infection. These dental restorations need to be fixed as soon as possible to prevent complications from occurring.
- Persistent Tooth Ache - Pain is the body's way of letting us know something is wrong. If you experience tooth pain that doesn't go away or is particularly intense, a dentist should examine your mouth right away.
- Post-Extraction or Post-Surgery Complications - After a tooth extraction or oral surgery, we will provide you with a list of signs of potential complications such as infection or dry socket. If you experience any of these issues, seek emergency dental care immediately.
Can You Wait? How to Know When You Need Emergency Treatment
We always recommend erring on the side of caution when it comes to your health. If you believe you are having a dental emergency and need immediate treatment, do not hesitate to contact our office or to come in so that we can assess your situation. If you experience any of the above-listed emergencies, severe pain, swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, signs of infection, dry socket (following tooth extraction), or other complications, you should seek treatment immediately.
How to Minimize the Risk of Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies happen accidentally, but you can take some precautions to minimize your risk of needing urgent dental care.
- Wear an athletic mouthguard while playing sports
- Do not use your teeth as tools (to open packages or bottles)
- Avoid chewing on objects, ice, or hard candy
We're Here for You When You Need Us: Emergency Dentistry in Cedar Park, TX
At August Dental, we take pride in providing patients with comprehensive dental care, and sometimes, this means being available to address dental emergencies with urgent care and same-day appointments. If you think you might be experiencing an oral health emergency that requires immediate or urgent attention, do not hesitate to contact our office. We can talk with you about your situation over the phone, provide you with instructions, and help you determine whether or not you need immediate dental care.
To learn more about the emergency dental services available at August Dental or to request an emergency visit today, please contact our dental office in Cedar Park, TX.
