Emergency Dentistry – Tyler, TX
Immediate Care is
Just a Call Away
Do you have a dental emergency plan in place? If not, then we recommend you put Times Square Family Dental’s number in your phone right now. That way, should you or a loved one ever experience a painful toothache or dental injury that requires immediate attention, you’ll know who to call. Dr. Perez and our team are able to handle every type of urgent dental situation you can imagine, and we can schedule same-day appointments for emergency dentistry in Tyler, TX, so patients can get the relief they need without delay.
Why Choose Times Square Family Dental
for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Dentist with 20+ Years of Experience
- Sedation Makes Every Appointment Comfortable
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
A 20+ year veteran in dentistry, Dr. Perez has basically seen it all when it comes to dental emergencies. If you visit us for emergency dental care, you can trust that he has helped a patient in your exact situation countless times before. He’ll know how to stop your pain, figure out what is causing the problem, and treat it directly without hesitation. He’ll also go the extra mile and show you how to avoid emergencies in the future so your dental visits can always be planned and calm!
Toothaches
A toothache could be a sign of a serious dental infection, crack in the enamel, or just a piece of food being stuck between the teeth. After rinsing and flossing around the tooth, if the pain continues, go ahead and take an OTC medication before giving our dental office a call.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Collect as many pieces of the tooth that you can find and put them in a safe container. A cold compress placed on the cheek will reduce any swelling, and be sure to cover the tooth with some sugar-free gum or dental wax to prevent it from injuring the inside of the mouth.
Joint/TMJ Pain
Is your jaw sore all of the time, or does it click and pop whenever you open or close your mouth? Is it stuck? If so, you might have a problem with your jaw joint, known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Contact our dental office right away so we can stop any ongoing pain, and then Dr. Perez can figure out how to treat the root cause of the problem.
Lost Filling/Crown
If you can find the restoration, place it back onto the tooth, using a dab of toothpaste to secure it. This is just a temporary fix, so be sure to give us a call to have it repaired! If the restoration is completely lost or broken, however, be sure to avoid the tooth while chewing and see us as soon as possible.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
- Brush and floss every day to keep your teeth free of infection and resistant to breakage.
- Visit Times Square Family Dental at least twice a year for checkups so we can catch minor problems before they turn into big emergencies.
- Enjoy playing sports? Make sure to ALWAYS wear a mouthguard.
- Don’t use your teeth to open stubborn packages or bottles.
- Don’t chew on items such as ice, popcorn kernels, rock candies, pens, pencils, fingernails, etc.
The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
You should always seek out treatment right away if you are experiencing a dental emergency. This is the best way to minimize the pain and cost associated with the problem, as waiting will only allow it to become worse, meaning it will likely require more extensive care to fix. To make emergency dentistry more affordable, our dental office accepts many insurance plans, has our own in-house savings plan, and flexible financing is available as well.
Emergency Dental FAQs
Like most people, you’re probably not expecting to have to deal with a dental emergency any time soon. Unfortunately, dental infections and injuries can happen any time whether you’re prepared or not, which is why it’s important to have a firm grasp on what to do in the event of a dental emergency. Below are common questions that many people have about urgent dental care; by learning the answers now, you’ll be better prepared for the worst-case scenario.
When Should I Call the Emergency Room?
Dr. Perez has the training and equipment to deal with most dental emergencies. In most cases, you’ll be better off calling our practice for help with your smile. However, you should get in touch with the nearest emergency room if your dental emergency involves any of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding in the mouth that doesn’t stop after 10 minutes or at all
- A broken or fractured jawbone
- Any sort of severe facial trauma
- Any kind of life-threatening issue, such as those that make it hard to swallow or breathe
We can offer additional care for remaining dental emergencies once the above problems have been dealt with. If you have any doubts on who you should call for treatment, call us for guidance.
What is Truly Considered a Dental Emergency?
Anything that involves visible damage to the tooth should be addressed right away. Past that, you might be somewhat confused about what does or does not count as a dental emergency. Most of the time, you’ll know there’s a problem in your mouth due to intense pain in the teeth or gums, or by swelling of the soft tissues. Lost or damaged restorations are usually considered emergencies because they usually mean the inside of the tooth is now more vulnerable to infection. Even if you’re not sure that your particular problem counts as an emergency, you should still call our office as soon as possible; we can help you determine whether an appointment will be necessary.
Is a Toothache Always an Emergency?
Tooth pain is one of the most common symptoms of dental infections. That said, sometimes the pain has a much less serious cause that can be dealt with easily, such as a piece of food caught between the teeth. Also, if your tooth becomes sensitive – meaning there’s pain whenever it’s exposed to anything hot or cold, or it hurts when you bite down on something – there can be any number of causes, some more severe than others. If you don’t know for sure what’s causing your toothache, or if the pain lasts for more than 48 hours, you should call us immediately to arrange an appointment.
What Should Be in a Dental Emergency Kit?
The following items are important to have on hand in order to perform proper first aid in the even of an emergency:
- A small container for holding loose teeth or restorations
- Something to preserve a lost tooth in such as a saline solution
- Medical gauze to stop any oral bleeding
- Acetaminophen or other over-the-counter painkillers (talk to us for recommendations)
- Disposable gloves in case you have to reach into your mouth or a loved one’s mouth
- Medical gauze to stop the bleeding
- Floss for removing any debris caught in your mouth
Dr. Perez can offer additional advice during one of your regular appointments.