When a dental emergency strikes, it’s not something you should put off. Whether it’s an oral infection caused by unremoved plaque and decay, or a broken or knocked-out tooth caused by forced trauma, both circumstances require professional attention. Dr. Kuykendall and his team will do everything they can to see you as soon as possible, ideally the same day. It could mean the difference between saving your tooth and needing a replacement later, so don’t delay; call our dental office to schedule an appointment for emergency dentistry in Spring, TX!
Why Choose Spring Dentist for Emergency Dental Care?
Same-Day Availability – Convenient Dental Office Hours Including Fridays
Our Dental Office is Equipped to Treat All Dental Services
Multiple Sedation Options for Comfortable Care
Toothaches
Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Although toothaches don’t always warrant a same-day visit to our Spring dental office for treatment, they also shouldn’t be ignored. That’s why we recommend giving us a call when the discomfort first surfaces, even if it seems minor. This will ensure that we intervene with the necessary restorative care as soon as possible.
How You Should Handle a Toothache As we touched on before, calling us to schedule an exam is a top priority. Until your appointment, we also recommend rinsing periodically with warm saltwater, maintaining a solid oral hygiene routine, taking OTC pain medication as directed, and avoiding sticky, crunchy, sugary, and acidic foods.
How We Treat Toothaches There are several restorative dental services that can treat a toothache – from dental crowns to root canals. The one we recommend will depend on a few important factors, including the severity of the dental damage, which is why your appointment will start with X-rays and an oral exam.
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Since chipped teeth don’t heal on their own, they do warrant a call to our dental team. However, they don’t usually require same-day treatment. In most cases, you can wait a day or two for an appointment with our Spring emergency dentist.
How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth We don’t want your tooth to develop an infection or cut the soft tissue in your mouth, which is why we recommend rinsing periodically with room-temperature water and using some dental wax to cover the sharp edge of your tooth.
How We Treat Chipped Teeth Veneers are one of the most common treatments because they are incredibly versatile, they are stain-resistant, they can be placed in as little as two appointments, and they can last for 10+ years with proper care.
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, a cracked tooth is a dental emergency. That’s why we encourage patients to reach out to us right away, even if the damage seems relatively small. Remember, the crack can get larger and the tooth can become infected if left untreated!
How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth In addition to scheduling an appointment with our Spring emergency dentist, we recommend avoiding crunchy foods, sticking to lukewarm water, and taking an OTC pain reliever as instructed to alleviate your discomfort.
How We Treat Cracked Teeth If the crack is small enough that we can save your tooth, then we will use a dental crown to protect it from damage moving forward. If the crack is large enough that we can’t save your tooth, then we will need to extract it and put a dental bridge or implant in its place.
Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Although dental sensitivity definitely warrants a call to our Spring dental office, a same-day appointment may not be necessary. We usually recommend coming in for an emergency exam if this sensation is present in tandem with other abnormal dental symptoms, like pain when biting down.
How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth While you can’t heal the root of the problem from home, you can certainly avoid exacerbating the sensitivity. If you have a day or two until your appointment, then try avoiding hot/cold foods, sticking to lukewarm water, and taking an OTC pain reliever as directed.
How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth First, we need to conduct an oral exam. If your tooth is decayed or has developed an infection, then we will need to intervene with a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, or root canal treatment. If it’s actually a problem with your gums, then gum disease treatment will be recommended instead.
Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? This isn’t just a dental emergency; it’s a very serious dental emergency! If you or a loved one has knocked out a tooth, then you should call our Spring dental team ASAP so you can come in for treatment within the hour.
How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth You have two top priorities: scheduling an appointment with us and finding your tooth. If you are able to locate it, then preserving the root is another priority. You can either place it in a container filled with milk or place it back in its socket (only if that doesn’t require force).
How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Fortunately, a knocked-out tooth can sometimes be reinserted and heal back in place. Other times, the only way to restore the look and function of your smile is to replace it with a dental implant.
Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes! Whether an entire dental crown came out or you lost a small filling, you should call us ASAP to schedule an exam and the necessary treatment with our Spring emergency dentist.
How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown We’ve covered that calling us is important, but what else should you do? We recommend placing the restoration (if you have it) somewhere safe, like a small container, and bringing it with you to your appointment.
How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns Almost always, lost fillings are simply replaced with a new one. When it comes to treating a lost dental crown, it depends on the unique situation. If the restoration was relatively new, then we may be able to re-cement it back in place. If it’s time to get a new one anyway, then we will take new impressions and provide you with a temporary crown in the meantime.
Is a broken denture a dental emergency? A damaged denture can inure your gums, soft tissues, jaws,
or remaining teeth due to protruding sharp pieces or the appliance sliding about in the mouth. If the base or
artificial teeth of your denture has been damaged, contact our office as soon as possible.
How to handle a broken denture: Wearing broken dentures can lead to oral injuries or exacerbate the
damage the appliance has already received. Don’t wear broken dentures until we’ve been able to evaluate
them in our office and never attempt to repair your appliance on your own, as this may damage it further or cause
dangerous chemicals like superglue to be placed in the mouth.
How we treat broken dentures: In cases of minor damage, we may be able to repair a chip or crack
with composite resin or adjust the appliance so that it fits properly. However, your dentures will need to be
replaced if they are damaged beyond repair. If it’s time to replace your appliance, it may be a great
opportunity to consider upgrading to implant dentures.
Is a loose permanent tooth a dental emergency? A loose permanent tooth (also called an extruded or
partially dislodged tooth) can happen over time or suddenly due to injury. Such a tooth is at immediate risk of
being lost, so it’s important to call our office immediately even if there is no pain present.
How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Call our office immediately to schedule an emergency
appointment. Until then, avoiding chewing with the tooth as well as touching it with your fingers or tongue. While
you can swish warm water to clean your mouth, we do not recommend brushing or flossing with a loose permanent tooth.
How we treat loose permanent teeth: We can save a loose tooth in many cases through an appropriate
treatment such as a dental splint or gum disease therapy. However, we will need to extract the tooth and discuss
replacing it if it cannot be saved.
Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? Small cuts in the mouth may count as
dental emergencies if they continue to bleed after ten minutes. These injuries tend to be more common among those
who play sports.
How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Gently clean the area with water to
eliminate plaque and food debris and apply pressure through a clean washcloth or a piece of gauze until the bleeding
stops. If needed, apply an ice pack or cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: We can stitch small wounds shut and help you
keep the area clean. However, head to your local emergency room if the wound is large or if the bleeding
doesn’t stop after ten minutes of applied pressure.
Jaw Pain
Is jaw pain a dental emergency? While jaw pain is not typically a dental emergency, it can be if the
problem interferes with your daily life or lasts for a long time. Chronic jaw pain may be a sign of underlying oral
health problems.
How you should handle jaw pain: We can give you specific instructions for managing the problem over
the phone. We’ll usually recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers and applying an ice pack to reduce
pain and swelling. However, head to your local emergency room if your jaw is dislocated or broken. We’ll be
happy to repair your smile afterward.
How we treat jaw pain: In many cases, jaw pain is caused by nocturnal teeth grinding, and we can
usually address this issue by providing a nightguard to be worn to bed. If the problem is caused by the emerging
wisdom teeth, we may have to recommend extracting them.
Never use sharp tools such as toothpicks or tweezers to dislodge debris stuck between your teeth, as this can lead to
soft tissue injuries. If you find that you can’t dislodge an object stuck between your teeth with dental floss
or vigorous rinsing, contact our office in Spring. Dr. Kuykendall will be able to gently and safely remove it.
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Same-day appointment: When you call our office, we’ll make sure to get you scheduled for an emergency exam the same day whenever possible. We’ll also provide first-aid tips that can help you manage your pain or other symptoms before you arrive. We are largely equipped to handle just about any dental emergency, so don’t wait to get in touch even if you aren’t sure you’re dealing with a dental issue.
Emergency exam: After you arrive, Dr. Kuykendall will perform an emergency exam to confirm the source of your symptoms. This process may involve digital X-rays if the problem is not easily visible.
Review findings: Once we finish your exam and do everything we can to alleviate any discomfort, Dr. Kuykendall will recommend a treatment plan to address your emergency. This plan will include estimated costs and the amount of time we expect it to take, so you can make an informed decision before committing.
Get the care you need: Whether you need dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, tooth extraction, or another service to resolve your dental emergency, we will work as quickly as possible to provide you comfortable and personalized care.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency occurs, most people aren’t exactly sure what to do. To start, you should always call our dental office to schedule an appointment. This way, you can get your issue handled sooner rather than later and you can speak with one of our team members who can provide additional assistance, regardless of the type of dental emergency you’re dealing with. Of course, you should then take the necessary steps to stabilize your condition until you arrive, which you can find tips for below.
When a dental emergency occurs, the last thing on your mind is how much it will cost to fix the problem. The shock and pain take precedence as you scramble to remember what you need to do to take care of the situation while at home. It’s not until you make the phone call to your dentist’s office that you suddenly begin to think about the financial aspect of your knocked-out tooth. At Spring Dentist, Dr. Kuykendall wants you to be more concerned about your oral health than what it costs to maintain, improve, and even repair it. This is why you can expect helpful staff members to alleviate the stress of financial responsibility by working on your behalf with the insurance company as well as providing additional resources that will make paying for your dental emergency more manageable for your budget. Call us today to find out more.
What Factors Can Influence the Cost of Emergency Care?
It should come as no surprise that an emergency visit to the dentist’s office will most likely cost more than a traditional checkup or cleaning. However, there are several factors that must be considered in order to better understand how much you can expect to pay for emergency care. Some of these include:
Location of dental office: Larger cities or places where the cost of living is high tend to be more expensive.
Dental insurance: If you have dental insurance, you can expect the cost of your treatment to be significantly less, reducing your out of pocket expenses.
Type of restorative treatment: Depending on the type of restorative care you need, the costs will vary, as will the level of coverage by your insurance carrier.
Financial Options Available
At Spring Dentist, we are proud to be an in-network provider for many PPO dental insurance plans, some of which include:
Aetna
Cigna
Delta Dental
But if you are uninsured and need assistance paying for your treatment, we can help you apply for a custom payment plan through CareCredit. This is a third-party financier that offers flexible financing schedules with little-to-no-interest.
Importance of Scheduling a Consultation
Since no specific cost can be applied to emergency dentistry, it is important that when one occurs, you get in to see us as soon as possible. By scheduling a consultation or appointment, Dr. Kuykendall can examine your oral cavity and determine the severity of the problem. If you require only minor services and have dental insurance, it may be possible for you to be covered at 70-80%. However, if you need a major restorative service such as a root canal or tooth extraction, you may only have 50-70% of your procedure covered by insurance.
Again, it is important to consider all the factors when undergoing treatment for a dental emergency, but never let it keep you from receiving care. Our dental team is here to help and will go above and beyond to make sure you not only get the care you need but that you remain stress-free as we work to minimize your out of pocket costs.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
No one wants to experience a dental emergency but unfortunately, they happen all too often. While it is comforting to know that Spring Dentist is here to provide the care you need when you need it most, wouldn’t it be better to know how you can prevent these types of injuries in the first place? When it comes to oral and overall health, prevention is key to combatting disease and damage, so, if you want to learn what you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy and intact, review the following information about how to prevent dental emergencies in Spring, TX. Should you have additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Damaging Effects of Food
Over time, your teeth will begin to wear down as a result of daily use (i.e. eating, chewing). However, in most cases, the food you eat will not cause you to chip or crack a tooth or lead to tooth decay. That is unless you overindulge in sugary foods or choose to eat something hard or crunchy. Too much sugar can cause tooth decay and cavities to develop, and hard, crunchy foods can cause you to accidentally damage a tooth and require restorative or cosmetic dentistry to fix it. If you want to avoid the need for a filling, dental crown, or veneers, limit the amount of sugar you consume and avoid foods that can cause you to lose parts, if not all, of your teeth.
The Grinding or Hard-Hitting Impact on Your Teeth
Teeth grinding is a common problem among children and adults. Causing excessive wear and tear on tooth enamel, bruxism can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) or even sleep apnea. To combat this issue, make sure you talk to Dr. Kuykendall about a custom mouthguard to wear at night. This will keep your teeth from coming into contact with each other as well as relax your jaw muscles.
If bruxism isn’t what is putting your teeth in danger but instead, sports, a customized sportsguard can offer a greater level of protection while out on the field. Should a hard-hitting tackle or spiked volleyball occur, these oral appliances can protect against soft tissue lacerations, knocked-out teeth, cracked or chipped teeth, and even lessen the impact of a concussion.
The Benefits of a Good Oral Hygiene Routine
Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash are all key aspects of a good oral hygiene routine. Throw in fluoride toothpaste and a tongue scraper, and you have all the components of a healthier smile. When teeth are plagued by decay, this can make them unstable and frail, opening them up to becoming easily damaged should an accident occur. Regular maintenance of your teeth and gums are a great way to combat dental emergencies. Not only are healthy teeth stronger and more durable, but they will last longer.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Do you know what to do when a dental emergency occurs? Before you start to panic, your emergency dentist in Spring wants you to take a breath and know that we are here for you. That’s right! Our team is equipped and ready to handle your individual problem. From the moment you call and alert us to the situation to the time you leave our dental office, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Should you experience a crisis situation that involves injury to your teeth or gums, we want you to be prepared and have the confidence to handle the situation until you arrive at our dental office. This is why Dr. Kuykendall at Spring Dentist has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about dental emergencies for you to review.
Do I need to go to the ER with a dental emergency?
It’s not always easy determining if your specific injury is worth a trip to the ER or the dentist, so to help you better decide, know that if any of the following is occurring, get to your local emergency room as soon as possible:
Bleeding that does not stop
A broken or fractured jawbone
Swelling that does not go down
No matter where you end up going, make sure to always contact us and alert our team to your current situation. If the situation is serious enough, we will tell you to seek treatment at an ER.
Do you accept same-day appointments for dental emergencies?
Absolutely! We are pleased to offer our patients same-day availability with convenient dental office hours, including on Fridays. We know dental emergencies can happen at any time, so don’t be afraid to call us when this happens to you. Our team members will walk you through what you should do at home and determine if you should get in to see Dr. Kuykendall right away.
Does insurance cover dental emergency visits?
Most dental insurance companies understand that accidents happen and when they do, you need coverage. You’ll need to check with your insurer to determine how much they will cover for these types of emergencies as well as the level of coverage for possible restorative dental work. If you’ve chipped, cracked, or knocked out a tooth, it will be necessary to fix it before the problem worsens.
If you’re unsure what your policy states or would rather have a member of our team speak with the insurance company on your behalf, let us know and we’ll be happy to assist.
