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If you or a loved one has a medical emergency, what do you do? You either call 9-1-1 or you go to a hospital emergency room. But do you know what to do when there is a dental emergency? More often than not, the doctors and nurses are not the health care professionals you need. You need Dr. Fan—the emergency dentist in Austin that will immediately address your problem in order to restore your smile. When you have a dental emergency, call our office at 512-361-4288. A member of the team will be able to help and schedule a same-day appointment if necessary. Read on to learn more about what you should do in different dental emergencies and what Dr. Fan will do, too.

EMERGENCY! I HAVE A KNOCKED OUT TOOTH

Of all the dental emergencies that can happen, having a knocked out tooth is probably the most disturbing, because after all you are suddenly missing a tooth! However, if you have the tooth and can get to our office quickly, then Dr. Fan may be able to restore your smile with your own tooth.

First, stop the bleeding by applying firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad. A cold compress can reduce swelling and pain. Then, take care of the tooth. Carefully rinse it in water, but do not touch the root where soft tissue may still be attached. If you can, place the tooth back in its socket or inside your cheek. The important thing is to maintain the tooth’s natural pH. Alternatively, you can store the tooth in a container or plastic bag filled with milk. Head straight to our office for treatment.

EMERGENCY! I HAVE A BROKEN TOOTH

If you break a tooth as a result of a serious fall or traumatic blow to the face, then Dr. Fan may need to perform a root canal before restoring your tooth. In some cases, a break damages the nerve of a tooth, which is called the pulp chamber. When this chamber is exposed to oral bacteria, you run the risk of developing an infection. With a root canal, Dr. Fan cleans and sanitizes the chamber, and then preserves the tooth with a biocompatible filling and dental crown.

EMERGENCY! I LOST A FILLING OR DENTAL CROWN

A lost filling or crown exposes the underlying tooth structure to air as well as hot and cold temperatures, which can be quite painful. Call our office and schedule an appointment. In the meantime, you can try to replace the restoration with temporary dental cement (available at a pharmacy) or a small amount of denture adhesive or petroleum jelly.

EMERGENCY! CONTACT OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY

Remember—don’t go to the hospital E.R. when you have a dental emergency. Call for your dentist near me in Austin who can help relieve any discomfort or pain.