A dental emergency never happens at a convenient time. Maybe a soccer ball knocked out your teenager’s tooth. Maybe a throbbing toothache woke you at two in the morning. Either way, what you do in the first few minutes can decide whether a dentist is able to save the tooth.
This guide explains how to tell a true dental emergency from a problem that can wait, and what to do right away for the most common situations. If you live in or near Richmond, TX, you will also learn when to call Southern Charm Dental for same-day emergency care.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any problem that involves severe pain, heavy bleeding, infection, or damage to a tooth that could be lost without quick treatment. Call a dentist right away if you have:
- A knocked-out permanent tooth
- A cracked, broken, or badly chipped tooth
- Severe or lasting tooth pain
- Swelling in your gums or face, or a pimple-like bump on the gum
- A lost filling or crown that causes pain
- An object stuck between your teeth that you cannot remove gently
Some problems are less urgent. Mild sensitivity to hot or cold, or a tiny chip that does not hurt, can usually wait for a regular visit. Still, don’t ignore them. A small issue often becomes a bigger one. When in doubt, call us. We will help you decide how quickly you need to be seen.
What to Do in Common Dental Emergencies
Stay calm, act quickly, and follow these steps. They match the guidance from the American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy site.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
Time matters most here. A tooth that is back in the socket within about an hour has the best chance of surviving.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the chewing surface), never by the root.
- If it is dirty, rinse it gently with water. Do not scrub it.
- If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it there.
- If that isn’t possible, keep it moist in milk, between your cheek and gums, or in a tooth preservation product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
- Get to a dentist right away.
Do not try to put a baby tooth back in. Call us instead, and we will tell you what to do next.
Cracked, Chipped, or Broken Tooth
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Apply a cold compress to your cheek to limit swelling. Save any broken pieces and bring them with you. Avoid chewing on that side until you have been seen.
Severe Toothache
Rinse your mouth with warm water, then floss gently to remove any food stuck between the teeth. A cold compress can ease the pain. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label, but never place aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, because it can burn the tissue.
Swelling or a Bump on the Gum (Possible Abscess)
A tooth abscess is a pocket of infection. It can cause throbbing pain, a bad taste, fever, or swelling in the face. An abscess will not go away on its own, and the infection can spread, so call us the same day. A mild salt-water rinse may bring temporary comfort while you wait. If you have facial swelling along with a fever, or you have trouble breathing or swallowing, go to the emergency room.
Lost Filling or Crown
Keep the crown if you still have it, and call us. Chew on the other side of your mouth. Do not use household glue to put a crown back, because it can damage the tooth and make repair harder.
Bitten Tongue or Lip
Clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress. If the bleeding does not stop with firm pressure, head to the emergency room.
When to Go to the ER Instead of the Dentist
Some injuries need a hospital first. Go to the emergency room, or call 911, if you have:
- Bleeding that will not stop
- A suspected broken or dislocated jaw
- Swelling that spreads toward your eye or neck
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- A head injury, dizziness, or loss of consciousness
Once you are stable, call us for follow-up care for your teeth.
How Same-Day Emergency Dental Care Works at Southern Charm Dental
Pain doesn’t wait for an opening on the calendar, and neither should you. At our Richmond office, we make room in our schedule for emergency dentistry, so you can often be seen the same day. Our same-day dentistry approach is built around exactly these situations.
Here is what to do:
- Call us at (832) 479-2606. Describe what happened and when. The more detail you give, the better we can prepare.
- Follow the first-aid steps above while you travel.
- Come to our office at 7119 FM 1464 Suite 312 in Richmond, near the Dollar Tree. You can find directions on our location page.
We know an emergency is stressful, especially for children. Dr. Krupa Patel and our team focus on anxiety-free care, and our comfort amenities include warm blankets, wireless headphones, and TVs. We also use a painless injecting needle that helps numb the area comfortably. Our team speaks English, Spanish, and Hindi, so you can explain what happened in the language you are most comfortable with.
Worried about cost? We accept Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and most major PPO plans, and we offer CareCredit financing. Our Dental Savers Plan also includes an emergency exam for patients without insurance. Learn more on our finances and insurance page.
How to Prevent a Dental Emergency
You can’t prevent every accident, but a few habits lower your risk:
- Wear a mouthguard for sports and other recreational activities.
- Skip hard foods such as ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy, which can crack a tooth.
- Use scissors, never your teeth, to open packages or cut things.
- See your dentist every six months. Regular checkups and cleanings catch decay, cracks, and infections before they turn into emergencies.
Need Help Now? Call Our Richmond Office
If you are dealing with a dental emergency, don’t wait and hope it gets better. Call Southern Charm Dental at (832) 479-2606, and we will do everything we can to get you out of pain and protect your smile.
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional dental or medical advice. In a life-threatening situation, call 911.