Oh no! You bite down on hard food and something doesn’t feel quite right. Or perhaps your tooth or jaw joint begins to hurt and rather than feeling better over the course of an hour it continues to feel worse. Whatever your concern, a dental emergency requires immediate care, to help you feel better and to protect the long-term health of your mouth. When a sudden problem occurs, we are ready to help. Not sure you have a solid handle on emergency dentistry? Look over some frequently asked questions for the answers you have been seeking.
Question #1: How do I know if it’s a dental emergency?
Ask yourself some very important questions. First, does the problem threaten your life? If so, you are suffering from a medical emergency and should dial 911 or visit your closest ER. Next, does the problem threaten your immediate oral health – think disolodged tooth. If yes, then you qualify. Finally, can you wait until a normally scheduled visit without the problem interfering with your daily life? If not, then call us right away for an emergency appointment.
Question #2: When can you see me?
As soon as possible! An emergency is just that – a totally unexpected event. Call us at 832-437-3849 and we will take care of the rest.
Question #3: What should I do if I knocked out my tooth?
For a dislodged tooth, hold the tooth by the crown under lukewarm water. Do this carefully to avoid washing away attached gum tissue. Bring your tooth with you in a sealed container filled with either milk or salt water – do not use regular unsalted water.
Question #4: What if I broke my tooth?
Collect all of the pieces you can find. Place them in a sealed container and bring them with you to your appointment.
Question #5: What should I do for pain or swelling?
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever before you visit us to help reduce your discomfort.
ABOUT YOUR KATY DENTIST:
Dr. Colin Lathrop and the Lathrop Dental Center proudly serve patients and families from in and around Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, and all surrounding communities. If you’d like to schedule a dental appointment, you can reach our office in Katy, TX, by calling (832) 437-3849.
