If you or a loved one experiences a dental emergency, do you know where to turn? Unfortunately, many people spend unnecessary time, money, and hassle going straight to the emergency room when they need urgent dental care. That’s why we encourage you to call us first instead! We’ll walk you through first-aid tips over the phone and schedule your appointment with our San Antonio emergency dentist as soon as possible. At Troy Jones, DDS & Associates, we offer quick, compassionate care when emergencies strike and a range of dental services to help you overcome nearly any oral health issue.
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What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Call our office. The sooner you give us a call, the better chance we have of restoring your oral health. We’ll pencil you in at your earliest convenience. In the meantime, an experienced team member will provide first-aid instructions to help manage your situation.
Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, we’ll perform a detailed examination to identify the cause of your issue. Using our findings, we’ll create a custom treatment plan to get you out of pain.
Get the care you need. Our team will work quickly to get your smile back on the right track. Some common treatment options include fillings, dental crowns, root canal therapy, and gum disease treatment.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency in San Antonio can refer to many different situations. Some are the result of a sudden injury, while others can develop over a long period of bad dental habits. Whatever the case, we’re here to help! While we’ll give you specific instructions over the phone, here are some tips for handling common dental emergencies until you can reach our office.
Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? A toothache in San Antonio can be a sign of a small issue, like something caught between the teeth, or a more serious problem, like a tooth infection that has compromised the inner chamber and nerves within your tooth. Your situation is likely an emergency if you notice that the pain is severe and lasts longer than 24 hours, there’s a small bump on your gums near the affected tooth, or you notice your painful tooth looks darker in color than the surrounding teeth.
How You Should Handle a Toothache: To rule out that something is caught between your teeth, gently floss around your affected tooth to dislodge any debris that may be stuck. If your pain doesn’t subside, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen and rinse with lukewarm saltwater to cleanse the area. If you notice swelling is occurring, you can place a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for up to an hour.
How We Treat Toothaches: Because there are different causes for toothaches, there’s a whole range of treatments that we could recommend based on your situation. The issue could be decay that needs to be fixed with a tooth-colored filling, or it could be more complex, requiring a referral to a specialist for a tooth extraction or root canal therapy.
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Normally, a chipped tooth doesn’t require same-day treatment; however, you should plan to schedule an appointment within a few days of your injury.
How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: Collect any broken-off pieces of tooth and rinse them under cool water. Store them in a container and bring them to your emergency dentist in San Antonio. If the damage has created a jagged edge, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over the tooth to keep it from irritating the inside of your cheek or lip.
How We Treat Chipped Teeth: We can repair chipped teeth with composite resin or porcelain veneers, depending on how much of the tooth has chipped off, as well as your budget and preference.
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Regardless of the extent of the damage, a cracked tooth in San Antonio can put you at a high risk of developing a tooth infection, which is why immediate treatment is required. In some situations, cracks aren’t easy to see, so be on the lookout for dental pain or sensitivity after facial trauma.
How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: Gently rinse your mouth with lukewarm saltwater to clear any debris and bacteria from it. Apply a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10 minutes at a time to help with pain and swelling, and take over-the-counter pain medication, as necessary. Avoid eating or chewing on the side of your mouth with your injured tooth.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth: Depending on the damage, we may be able to repair the crack with composite resin. However, if the damage is more severe, we may also recommend topping the tooth off with a dental crown for added support and protection, keeping it from becoming infected in the future.
Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? From eroded enamel to a cracked tooth, there are several reasons you may be experiencing sensitivity. If the sensation lasts for multiple days, it’s specific to one tooth, or you’re experiencing other abnormal symptoms (like pain when biting down), then we recommend getting in touch with our team right away. That way, we can determine if the root of the problem requires urgent treatment.
How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: There are a few things you can do to minimize your sensitivity until your appointment with us. Sticking to room-temperature water, avoiding crunchy, spicy, and sweet foods, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever are great places to start. You can also try switching to a desensitizing toothpaste to see if that helps alleviate your discomfort.
How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: First, we will need to pinpoint the source of sensitivity. If it’s the result of eroded enamel, then switching to a desensitizing toothpaste and prescription mouthwash may be the answer. If it’s the result of a cavity or infection, then we will recommend appropriate restorative care, like gum disease treatment or a root canal.
Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency! For the highest likelihood of success, the tooth needs to be reimplanted within 60 minutes of the incident. So, call the office of our San Antonio emergency dentist as soon as possible for a same-day appointment.
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: If you have located the tooth, pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface). If it’s dirty, then you can gently rinse it with water before placing it in a cup of saline solution or milk.
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: If possible, we will save the tooth by reimplanting it. There are some cases, however, where that is not feasible. In that case, we will need to replace the tooth with a dental bridge or dental implant.
Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? If one of your restorations has become loose or fallen out entirely, then we recommend calling our office. Even if you aren’t in pain, the tooth is now vulnerable to infection and further damage.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: Locating the lost crown or filling is priority number one. If you can’t find it, don’t worry – we can provide you with a replacement. If, on the other hand, you can locate your crown, then you can try putting it back in place. We recommend that our patients in San Antonio only do so if it slides back into place without any force.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: Dental fillings can be replaced in a single visit, and the process is quick and painless. With dental crowns, the process is a bit longer if they need to be replaced. In this case, we will take impressions of the tooth, have our lab artisans craft you a new one, and provide you with a temporary crown until your permanent one arrives.
Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Since broken dentures don’t hurt, many patients assume it isn’t a dental emergency. In reality, it is. We recommend calling us for an appointment right away, even if the damage is relatively small.
How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Although patients oftentimes want to continue wearing their dentures, it’s important to remember that this can result in issues like significant gum irritation. The best thing you can do in this situation is call us for an appointment so we can get to work on repairing or replacing your restoration.
How We Treat Broken Dentures: With broken dentures, there are two options: repair them or replace them. If the latter is the best choice, then it’s the perfect time to consider upgrading your smile with dental implants!
Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a loose permanent tooth is a dental emergency. So, call our San Antonio dental office right away. Once we have a better understanding of your situation, we will find time for you to come in for treatment.
How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: One of your main focuses leading up to your appointment should be preventing the tooth from loosening further. So, don’t chew on that side of your mouth or touch the tooth with your tongue or fingers. We also recommend rinsing periodically with clean, lukewarm water to prevent bacteria from collecting around your loose tooth.
How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: In some cases, a dental splint can be used to provide the tooth with the support it needs to heal securely back in place. If it’s not an option, then we may recommend removing the tooth before replacing it with a dental bridge or implant.
Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Typically, a soft tissue injury doesn’t require a same-day visit to our office. However, if the cut doesn’t stop bleeding after 10 minutes of applying pressure, then you should seek medical attention at your local ER.
How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: The top priority is cleaning the wound and applying pressure to the area. So, rinse the cut thoroughly with clean water and use some gauze (or a damp washcloth) to stop the bleeding. From there, you can apply a cold compress or a towel-wrapped ice pack to the area to alleviate any lingering puffiness.
How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Although soft tissue injuries are usually minor and don’t require a visit to our office, we’re still here to answer any questions you have. So, if you’re unsure what to do or if going to the ER is necessary, give us a call so we can help.
Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Jaw pain could be the result of several issues – from chronic teeth grinding to impacted wisdom teeth. To determine the source, we will need to conduct an oral exam and take X-rays. So, don’t hesitate to give our San Antonio dental team a call so we can schedule a time for you to come in.
How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Since preventing additional discomfort is a priority, we recommend not eating anything hard or crunchy, like tortilla chips or pretzels. You can also help alleviate any pain you’re experiencing by using a cold compress or taking OTC pain medication.
How We Treat Jaw Pain: While chronic teeth grinding can often be fixed with a custom mouthguard, impacted wisdom teeth need to be extracted to provide you with the long-lasting relief you deserve. Important note: if you have reason to believe your jaw pain is stemming from a fracture, then you should head to your nearest ER for medical attention right away.
If you have something stuck between your teeth, we recommend rinsing with a mixture of salt and warm water before flossing. This will help loosen the debris, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection. If what’s stuck between your teeth stays firmly lodged in place, then give our team a call so we can schedule a time for you to come to our office.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Your financial situation should never stand in the way of getting the urgent dental care you need. Many factors affect the cost of emergency dentistry in San Antonio, but we strive to keep our services affordable for everyone. We will create the personalized plan you need to stop your pain and restore a healthy smile without it costing you an arm or a leg.
There's no flat fee for emergency dentistry because every situation differs. You wouldn't want to pay for anything you don't need. Your dentist will examine your mouth to create a personalized treatment plan that accommodates your budget. They will also review your payment options, like cash, checks, or monthly installments.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance companies offer coverage for emergencies. Your benefits may cover your consultation and diagnostic services. You can also use your benefits to pay for medically necessary procedures. Restorative services typically cover 50% to 80% after meeting your annual deductible until reaching your yearly limit. A member of our office will work on your behalf with your dental insurance to maximize your benefits to lower the amount you will pay out of pocket. They'll explain how your coverage is being used and your options for any remaining balance.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Besides using your dental insurance, we offer financing solutions to keep emergency dentistry affordable. We also accept traditional payments, like cash, personal checks, and credit cards, for your convenience.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Although you may never expect a dental emergency to happen to you, 1 in 6 Americans experience an urgent oral health problem every year. While you can't always stop accidents from occurring, you can take several steps to lessen your risk of oral health emergencies, such as:
Brushing and flossing will keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Committing to visiting your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. Our team will monitor your smile for anything concerning, addressing it while it's still small. This will prevent a minor issue from turning into a big problem.
Wearing an athletic mouthguard if you play sports to protect your pearly whites.
If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, ask your dentist for a nightguard.
Breaking any bad habits that may damage your teeth, like crunching ice or chewing on your fingernails.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Not every dental injury can be avoided, but there are a few precautions you can take to reduce your risk of needing to visit our emergency dental office in San Antonio. Here are a few steps we encourage our patients to take (as well as some habits we recommend breaking) to help prevent a painful dental injury.
In short, your routine visits to our office ensure that we can catch common dental problems, like cavities, in the early stages. Plus, our dental hygienists remove built-up plaque and tartar during your cleanings, which helps reduce your risk of oral health issues moving forward. So, if it has been more than six months since your last appointment, don’t wait any longer – give us a call to schedule your next checkup and cleaning!
Brush and Floss Consistently
In addition to coming to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning, you need to take good care of your smile on a daily basis. The first step? Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day (or after every meal, if possible). Then, focus on flossing daily and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash regularly to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup as well as bad breath.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
All too often, patients underestimate the importance of eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. The truth is that filling your plate with nutrient-dense foods, like broccoli, apples, and oatmeal, will benefit both your oral and overall health. Conversely, starchy and sugary snacks increase your risk of dental decay, so it’s important to indulge sparingly. It’s also important to avoid (or, at the very least, exercise caution with) extremely crunchy foods, such as hard pretzels.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Wearing a mouthguard during sports is usually required, especially in contact ones like football and soccer. However, we recommend wearing one even during solo activities, like riding your bike and lifting weights. Not only will this protect your smile from harm if you accidentally fall, but it will also protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. So, if you don’t have a mouthguard already, let us know so we can have one made for you!
Break Bad Habits
Lastly, do your best to break bad habits. That starts with obvious ones, like smoking, and extends to seemingly harmless ones, like biting your nails. We also encourage our patients not to use their teeth as tools, not to chew on ice cubes, and not to bite on the back of their pens or pencils while they work.
Important note: If you do accidentally chip, crack, or fracture a tooth, don’t wait – call us ASAP so we can schedule an emergency exam, alleviate any pain you’re experiencing, and restore your healthy, happy smile.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Does dental insurance cover emergency visits?
Every policy differs; however, most dental insurance plans offer coverage for emergency visits, such as for the exam and X-rays. You can also use your benefits to help offset the cost of any treatment. Depending on your specific policy, your insurance carrier can cover as much as 80% after reaching your deductible until meeting your annual limits. A member of our team will work with your insurance company to help you maximize your benefits to lower the amount you need to pay out of pocket.
Do I need a tooth extraction?
An extraction will eliminate a problematic tooth at the source, but it isn’t always the best option because it can lead to new complications. Instead, it’s best to always save your tooth when possible. Often, an infected or damaged tooth can be treated with root canal therapy, allowing it to thrive with the right aftercare.
What happens if my toothache goes away?
You might believe an occasional toothache is normal, especially if it goes away; however, it’s never a good sign. The underlying issue is still there. If it isn’t treated, it will continue to brew in your mouth until it turns into a big problem.
Can I be seen by an emergency dentist the same day?
As with any emergency, time is of the utmost importance. We will do everything we can to get you into the office on the same day. If you need immediate attention, contact our office right away.
What should I take for tooth pain relief?
If you have any discomfort, take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can also rinse your mouth with a salt and water mixture to help ease inflammation and pain.
