Emergency Dentistry in San Antonio
If you’ve ever had to deal with any kind of emergency, then you know how unsettling the experience can be. You may be frightened and your mind may be racing. Fortunately, there are hospital emergency rooms to help. But when you have a dental emergency, you need to have a reliable emergency dentist in San Antonio on call. At New Image Dentistry, our dental team is ready to help 24/7. Call our office at (210) 804-1558 and a member of our staff will be able to offer you advice on how best to immediately handle your emergency. If need be, we can schedule a same-day appointment. After hours calls will reach our answering service and you’ll be given instructions on what to do.
Do I Have a Dental Emergency?
Sometimes, there’s no doubt about whether or not you have a dental emergency on your hands. Other times, you may not be as certain. Please don’t “wait and see” what happens. Our dentists and their team would much rather see you or a loved one for a non-emergency than miss an actual dental emergency. All you have to do is contact New Image Dentistry and describe your situation. We’ll take it from there.
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Different situations call for different responses. Here are some of the more common dental emergencies and ideas of what you can do until you are seen by the emergency dentist in San Antonio.
Toothache. Tooth pain happens for a variety of reasons. Some are more serious than others. An infected tooth, for example, requires emergency treatment with a root canal. In other cases, you may feel a sharp pain when you eat or drink something that is hot, color, sweet or acidic. This can be an indication of a cavity, a crack in your tooth or worn enamel that causes tooth sensitivity. Call our office to schedule an appointment.
A Knocked Out Tooth. No doubt about it—a tooth that is knocked out or avulsed is an unquestionable dental emergency. If you have the tooth, handle it by the crown only and avoid touching the root. Clean the tooth in water and try to replace it in the open socket. If too much bleeding or pain prohibits this, then store the tooth in a small container (a plastic baggie works well) filled with milk or a mild saline solution. One of the dentists here may be able to reattach the tooth if you are seen shortly after your accident.
A Broken Tooth. Whether or not this is a dental emergency depends on where the tooth is broken. A deep fracture may require root canal therapy. Until then, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to reduce the pain and swelling.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
The treatment that your dental emergency needs may vary based on the severity of your situation. Therefore, there is no fixed cost of treating dental emergencies. A mild oral infection may only require a prescription of antibiotics, while a severely broken or knocked-out tooth may necessitate a replacement, which comes with a significantly higher price tag. Regardless, the best way to determine how much you’ll end up paying is to come in for an appointment. The last thing you should do is avoid treatment and allow your emergency to worsen!
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Do you still have questions about what you should do if you have a dental emergency on your hands? When you contact our office, we’ll provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance to make sure that you don’t sustain additional oral damage. Also, for your convenience, we’ve answered some common questions we receive from our patients below.
How can I bring down facial swelling?
Dental trauma and infection can commonly cause swelling and inflammation. In these cases, it’s a good idea to place a cold compress on the outside of the affected area on your cheek for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off. You can do this for up to an hour, just be sure to place a dish cloth or something between the compress and your skin so it doesn’t get too cold. This can also help minimize any pain as well by preventing the nerve responses from reaching your brain.
Should I go to the ER or my emergency dentist?
Depending on the extent of your injuries, it can be hard to determine whether you should visit your local emergency room or your dentist first. If you’re having a difficult time deciding but know you need urgent treatment, you can always contact our office to ask our professional. If your injury is life threatening, you have a broken or fractured jaw, a deep facial laceration that may need stitches, or you’re having difficult breathing or swallowing, you should visit your ER immediately. Once you’ve received the necessary medical attention, our team will be more than happy to address any dental work that needs to be completed.
If I have a toothache, does that mean I need a root canal?
Toothaches can be caused by a variety of problems, including something as simple as a lodged piece of popcorn. If you floss around your teeth and your toothache still persists, it could be a sign of an infection. In this case, you may need a root canal, but there’s no reason to fret. We make sure that each of our treatments is pain-free and offer sedation dentistry so you can feel more relaxed and comfortable. Root canal therapy will allow us to safe your natural tooth so you won’t need to have it replaced.
What should I do if my emergency dentist is closed?
When you visit New Image Dentistry, our team is available 24/7 to guide you through your situation and make sure that no additional harm comes to your mouth. Plus, we also offer same-day appointments so you don’t have to wait in pain. Even if you need to go to the emergency room and get medical treatment before visiting us, be sure to contact our office whenever you have the time so we can schedule a visit to repair and protect your smile!
Emergency Dentistry in San Antonio
New Image is proud to provide emergency dentistry in San Antonio. Call our office immediately for prompt and compassionate dental care when you need it most.
