Warren Dentistry is now Westview Dentistry. New name, same great team!
Warren Dentistry is now Westview Dentistry. New name, same great team!
A dental emergency is an unexpected oral health issue that requires immediate attention to prevent serious damage or pain. Common examples include severe toothaches, knocked-out teeth, broken or cracked teeth, and oral infections. Understanding these emergencies helps you respond quickly and seek timely dental care.
There are two broad categories of dental emergencies requiring urgent care: infections and injuries.
Dental Infections – Both cavities and gum disease are bacterial infections. When they progress without treatment, they can lead to serious infections that spread far outside of the tooth and surrounding gums. In rare instances, people die from dental infections.
Dental Injuries – Dental injuries can occur during contact sports, auto accidents, or even just taking a bad fall. These injuries often break or reposition teeth in the front of the mouth. They can also cause serious lacerations (cuts) in the soft tissues of the mouth.
It is important to understand that some dental emergencies send you to an emergency room or urgent care facility instead of to your dental office. These include any large swellings of the face, tongue, and neck due to dental infections. Because these infections can spread into areas such as the airway, bloodstream and brain, immediate antibiotic administration via IV is necessary.
Another reason you should go to the ER instead of your dentist is any cut that requires stitches or does not stop bleeding after you apply pressure with a gauze or towel.
Simply call our office! The staff members who answer the phones know exactly when and where we can accommodate unplanned appointments. We hold space in our schedules every day so that we can see patients with emergencies as quickly as possible.
You do not have to be an established patient of ours to receive emergency dental care. We are happy to see new patients on an emergency basis!
First, we must diagnose the infection with a clinical evaluation of the tooth and an x-ray. Because dental infections are bacterial, we will prescribe any necessary antibiotics to help you fight the infection. In many cases, when the source of infection is within the tooth, we can remove the source of infection by performing the preliminary stages of a root canal treatment. This helps relieve your toothache pain and begin the healing process. It is emergency care only, and not the final treatment for the tooth.
When a tooth has a poor or hopeless long-term prognosis and extraction is necessary, we are often able to extract it the same day.
The injuries that require quick care are those that break large pieces of a tooth, move the tooth into a different position, or knock a tooth out completely. Minor chipping of front teeth that does not cause any sensitivity is not an emergency and can be repaired any time. If a large piece of tooth has broken off exposing the nerve, then treatment is necessary as soon as possible.
Teeth that were moved by an injury and those knocked out need immediate attention. We will reposition or re-implant teeth in order to achieve the best long-term success.
It is extremely important for you to follow through with any necessary follow-up treatment. It can be easy to forget once the pain subsides, but emergency dental care does not completely solve the problem. Its goal is to stabilize you to a point where you can return to normal function and seek out the final treatment on your own schedule.
For more information on emergency dental services, read our blog on What to Do During a Dental Emergency.
Many people grind or clench their teeth while during the day or sleeping. If you wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or notice that your teeth are wearing down or cracking, you may need a night guard. A consultation with your dentist is the best way to determine if a custom night guard could benefit you.
Preventive care is key to maintaining healthy teeth. Preventative dentistry includes things like regular at-home hygiene, exams by your dentist, oral cancer screenings, and dental x-rays. But one commonly overlooked tool for prevention is a custom night guard. Night guards are a simple yet powerful dental appliance designed to protect your teeth from damage caused by clenching or grinding while you sleep.
People who subconsciously grind or clench their teeth during sleep suffer from a condition known as bruxism, often caused by stress or tension.
Many people with bruxism only become aware of their condition once they or their dentist notice the signs. Upon waking up, you may have headaches or jaw pain. At your dental visit, your dentist may see abnormal tooth wear, shortening or flattening of teeth, cracked/ fractured teeth or fillings, or gum recession.
The best protection against bruxism is a custom-made professional night guard. A custom night guard is designed specifically for you using advanced 3D imaging technology. Made from a thin, clear acrylic material, a professional night guard provides a comfortable fit and protects your upper and lower teeth.
While a night guard won’t stop teeth grinding, it can significantly reduce its dangerous effects. By creating a barrier between your teeth, night guards prevent damage caused by grinding and reduce the pressure on your jaw muscles.
If left untreated, night time clenching and grinding can lead to serious problems with your oral health, like:
These conditions will become more severe over time and may require costly treatment to restore your oral health to proper function. A custom night guard offers long-term protection against damage or dental trauma. By preventing wear and tear on your teeth, you can save time, money, and discomfort.
Remember, preventive care is the foundation of great oral health, and a custom night guard could be the perfect step to protect your smile.
We’re here to provide personalized care so your smile stays healthy for years to come. If you may be experiencing headaches, jaw pain, or signs of tooth damage caused by clenching or grinding, please schedule an appointment with our team today.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your dental care, we are more than happy to discuss how you can achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.
As a top dentist in Fort Worth, we have helped hundreds of families achieve their oral health goals and are eager to help you and your family do the same.