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What to Do When You Need Emergency Dental Services

What to Do When You Need Emergency Dental Services
Laughlin Dental
Hello, Pasadena! At Laughlin Dental, we're not just about teeth. We're about building lasting relationships with every patient who walks through our doors. Led by Dr. Lloyd Laughlin, our practice is dedicated to providing judgment-free, quality dental care that's accessible to everyone.
BY Laughlin Dental

If you’re in need of any kind of emergency dental services, Laughlin Dental Family Dentistry in Houston, Texas is here to provide immediate and proven dental care to resolve your immediate needs. Understanding when your dental issues require emergency care is essential to avoid severe dental complications.

Cracked, dislodged, or broken teeth often demands emergency dental care, especially if nerve damage develops or bleeding occurs. If left untreated, your chances of a tooth infection increase dramatically. Even more, an untreated infected tooth can spread to other areas of the body like your neck and brain. For the most effective emergency dental care, Houston has to offer, contact Laughlin Dental for instant treatment.

Types of Dental Emergencies

In the case of a dental emergency, your dentist should be the first person you contact. Together, you can assess what type of care you need and how soon you need to see a dentist. Some facilities, such as Laughlin Dental, offer emergency dental care in urgent situations. When a dental injury or emergency happens, there are a few measures you should take if you can’t make it to the dentist immediately.

Losing an Adult Tooth

If one of your adult teeth gets knocked out by trauma or injury, it’s important to keep track of the tooth until you can get to your dentist. If you are able to, place the tooth back in its socket without touching the nerves or root. However, if that’s not possible, keep the tooth moist in a container of milk or tooth-preserving liquid. Most importantly, don’t swallow the tooth!

Chipping or Cracking a Tooth

If you chip or crack an adult tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress to decrease any swelling. Make sure you don’t swallow the piece of the tooth that chipped off.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Chipping and losing teeth is more common than people think, which is why it can happen so suddenly. Sports practices or even eating hard foods can cause these injuries. There are a few precautions you can take, such as:

  • Not eating hard foods, such as candy or popcorn kernels
  • Not poking your teeth with sharp objects
  • Flossing gently
  • Wearing a mouthguard during sports practices

Taking these preventative measures can keep you from requiring emergency dental services in the future.