what is emergency dental care?
Injuries happen, which is the reason why Dr. Luke Riley provides emergency care at his dental practice in Haslet, TX. Most typical emergency dental injuries are minor, like broken or chipped teeth. Occasionally more serious injuries occur. Dr. Riley has experience handling both minor and major injuries. Incidents could be caused by chewing food that is too hard for your teeth to manage, an accident when playing sports, a bad spill, or a blunt-force trauma. You might or might not feel discomfort, but it is important to get your mouth assessed following an accident to look for any damage. At Riley Dental, we'll consistently make your dental crisis a priority by supplying fast care along with taking the necessary steps to protect against future issues.
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when is it a dental emergency?
There is a good chance you may require urgent care if a restoration or tooth falls out, you're in pain, or you have a cracked tooth. In some events, you might be uncertain how quickly you require treatment. Whenever you have a dental trauma that impacts your gums, teeth, or jaw, it is smart to speak to a dentist. Dr. Riley, along with his team, will be able to help you determine when to come in, strategies to reduce any pain, and also how to store your tooth or dental restoration. Even little injuries may result in larger issues if not handled as soon as possible; therefore, it's better to contact our office right after a dental injury.
What Are the Benefits of Emergency Dental Care?
A dental emergency can be alarming and downright scary. At Riley Dental, we want to make sure you’re in good hands with prompt and knowledgeable care at short notice. Benefits of emergency dental services performed by Dr. Riley and the team at his Haslet, TX office include:
- Alleviating severe pain
- Potentially preventing tooth loss
- Decreasing the risk of long-term oral health problems
- Lowering the likelihood of infection(s)
- Improving the appearance of your teeth and smile following trauma or an accident
- Addressing issues fast
- May prevent more expensive dental work
what happens during emergency dental care?
Each dental crisis is different, so Dr. Riley will thoroughly evaluate your mouth prior to making a diagnosis during your consultation. X-rays might be required to make sure there are no additional problems. After Dr. Riley understands the degree of injury, he will speak with you about your options and develop a treatment program to get you back to normal as soon as possible. You might require one or a number of visits to restore the integrity of your teeth.
how long is recovery from a dental emergency?
In the event of a dental injury, post injury care is paramount to a quick recovery. Dr. Riley will make sure you leave with a set of directions that will help you recover quickly following your emergency visit. These directions may include a prescription for pain medication or antibiotics, which need to be used as directed. He will also make sure to make appointments for additional follow ups and exams as they are needed. After your dental crisis is mediated, you might speak with Dr. Riley about methods to prevent future injuries, including fabrication of a professional grade, custom-made mouth guard. Dr. Riley emphasizes with his patients that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that an athletic guard should be worn during contact sports in order to prevent damage to the developing mouth. Following an injury, Dr. Riley will continue to observe your recovery progress at each of your regular dental exams and make futher recommendations should an injury relapse.
does insurance cover dental emergencies?
If you are using dental insurance, we'll contact your insurer to ascertain your coverage after Dr. Riley has established your treatment program. For those not using insurance, Riley Dental provides several in-office payment plans, and we can help you secure third-party financing via CareCredit to help make your care easier to afford. Do not delay handling a dental crisis due to concerns over price, since waiting might lead to larger and more serious issues.
Emergency Dental Care FAQ
Is a knocked-out filling or crown a dental emergency?
In most cases, probably not. However, you should still try contacting Riley Dental for the next available regular appointment. If you can recover the crown or filling, you may want to buy temporary dental cement from a pharmacy or store to stabilize the restoration. If the filling or crown was knocked out through trauma or an accident, it would likely warrant emergency care.
Can I go to the emergency room for a dental emergency?
While emergency rooms can provide some dental care, they are not typically equipped to provide comprehensive dental treatment. If your situation only requires dental care, you should contact Riley Dental for emergency dental care. However, if you have been in an accident that requires other medical care, the emergency room is likely the best place to be treated.
How can I prevent dental emergencies?
In many cases, you can’t. Accidents happen. However, you can decrease the risk of dental emergencies by practicing good oral hygiene, wearing a mouth guard during sports or high-impact activities, avoiding chewing hard candy, and visiting Riley Dental twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
What should I do if I suddenly experience severe tooth pain?
If you suddenly experience severe tooth pain, try rinsing your mouth with warm water and gently using dental floss to remove any food particles that may be causing irritation. If the pain persists, contact Riley Dental immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. Severe tooth pain can be a sign of various dental issues, from an abscess to a cavity, and it's crucial to address it promptly to prevent further complications.
Can dental emergencies lead to other health issues if left untreated?
Yes, untreated dental emergencies can lead to more serious health issues. For example, an infection from an abscessed tooth can spread to other parts of the body, leading to serious health risks such as sepsis.
What should I do if a tooth is partially dislodged?
If a tooth is partially dislodged, you should contact Riley Dental immediately for emergency care. While waiting to see the dentist, you can apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and take over-the-counter pain relief if necessary. Avoid touching or trying to reposition the tooth yourself. Prompt, professional treatment is crucial to saving the tooth and preventing further damage or infection.
Get fast, professional care
When you've got bleeding, pain, or are experiencing an injury to your teeth, gums, or jaw, call Riley Dental for urgent care. Dr. Riley, along with his staff, will help to deal with your pain and fix any injuries to your gums, teeth, jawbone, or dental restorations. Speedy treatment is the trick to preserving your oral well-being and preventing potential issues, so do not hesitate to get in touch with our office in Haslet, TX for assistance.