What Counts as a Dental Emergency and When Should You Seek Care?

Life can be unpredictable. One minute you’re enjoying dinner, and the next you feel sharp tooth pain or bite down on a hard candy and hear a crack. Dental emergencies can be stressful, and we, at Fauchard Dentistry, are here to help. We offer trusted emergency dental care to patients in Aubrey, TX, and the surrounding communities to relieve your discomfort and get your smile back on track as soon as possible. The question is, how do you know whether you are experiencing a dental emergency?

What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any situation requiring immediate care to address severe tooth pain, save a damaged tooth, treat an infection, and stop bleeding. Common dental emergencies we see here in Aubrey include the following:

  • Severe, throbbing tooth pain
  • Knocked-out teeth
  • Cracked, broken, or chipped teeth
  • Swelling or a dental abscess
  • Broken or loose dental restorations
  • Soft tissue or jaw injuries

If you are unsure whether what you’re experiencing qualifies as a dental emergency, it’s always best to call Fauchard Dentistry for guidance. Dr. Chen and his patient-centered team will evaluate your situation and ensure you receive the care you need.

Note: Please call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room in case of a severe injury, uncontrolled bleeding, or a life-threatening emergency.

What to Do While You Wait

After calling our office, there are steps you can take to ensure the best outcomes. If you’ve knocked out a tooth, pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the root, rinse it gently with water, and try to keep it moist either by placing it back in the socket, storing it between your cheek and gum, or submerging it in a small container of milk.

For pain and swelling, a cold compress applied to the outside of your cheek can help, as can over-the-counter pain-relief medications. Avoid placing aspirin directly on the affected area, as this can irritate your gum tissue. If you lose a crown or filling, use over-the-counter dental cement from a pharmacy as a temporary fix until you can see us. Never use super glue to hold a restoration in place.

Remember, the sooner you seek care, the better the long-term outcomes for your smile.

Dental Emergency Care You Can Trust

At Fauchard Dentistry, we understand that emergencies don’t wait. That’s why we offer same-day appointments and same-day treatments whenever possible. If your emergency occurs outside of our regular hours, call our office for guidance, and we’ll get you taken care of as soon as possible. Our goal is to provide you with prompt relief and save a tooth whenever possible.

Emergency Dentist Near Me in Aubrey, TX

When in doubt, give us a call. While some concerns may not seem urgent, they can quickly get worse if left untreated. Dr. Chen and his dedicated team at Fauchard Dentistry are committed to providing personalized, compassionate care to get you feeling your best as soon as possible.

If you or a family member needs emergency dental care, call us at 940-233-6995. You can count on us to be here for you when you need us most.