Longview Dental CenterEmergency Dentist — Longview, TX
Getting East Texas Smiles Out of Pain Fast
If you were to fall and break a bone, you probably know that you should seek prompt medical attention. But a lot of people aren’t sure what to do when a dental emergency strikes. It can be tempting to just ignore a persistent toothache or a chipped tooth, but your smile needs care right away. That’s what Dr. Stoddard and the rest of our team at Longview Dental Center are here for. If you need an emergency dentist in Longview, just give us a call. We’ll provide you with over-the-phone first aid tips and schedule an appointment for you as quickly as possible.
Why Choose Longview Dental Center for Emergency Dental Care?
- Highly Trained Dentist with Over 25 Years of Experience
- Same-Day Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
- Dental Insurance Welcome & Flexible Financing Available
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Whether you suddenly wake up with a searing toothache, knock out a tooth while playing sports, or notice a small
bump on your gums, it can be difficult to stay focused on what to do next. Thankfully, having our talented team
here at Longview Dental Center in your corner can take some of the stress out of these scary situations!
Here’s what to do in a dental emergency:
- Step 1: Give us a call right away so we can schedule your same-day emergency appointment.
- Step 2: Receive first-aid instructions from our team over the phone on how to manage your symptoms and keep the issue from getting worse until you can reach us.
- Step 3: Come in and get an exam from your Longview emergency dentist Dr. Stoddard, who will work to alleviate your pain and evaluate your emergency.
- Step 4: Review Dr. Stoddard’s findings and the treatments he recommends, then put together a custom treatment plan.
- Step 5: Get the fast smile repair and pain relief you need right away, whether that means getting a filling, root canal, dental crown, or something else entirely.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
The best way to respond to a dental emergency is to call our office as soon as you can. Even if you’re unsure if your situation qualifies as an emergency, we wncourage you to get in touch with us anyway. We can help assess your situation over the phone, including how quickly you need to be treated and what steps you should take next to manage your symptoms. By taking the proper precautions, you can minimize the damage to your smile and reduce your discomfort until you can reach our dental office. Until then, here are some basic tips for handling common dental emergencies.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
Because dental emergencies can vary wildly, so too can the price of treatment. After we assess the extent of the
damage to your smile, we can discuss treatment options and provide you with a cost estimate. We accept most
dental insurance plans and are even in-network with many of the most popular providers. We also offer in-office
payment arrangements and affordable financing through CareCredit. Rest assured that we’ll find a way for
you to fund the care your smile needs without breaking the bank!
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
By their very nature, it’s almost impossible to prevent dental emergencies in Longview from ever occurring.
That said, there are certain precautions you can take to lessen your risk of having a sudden dental problem
bring your day to a screeching halt. By maintaining a healthy diet, brushing and flossing daily, and keeping up
with your routine dental checkups, you can reduce bacterial buildup that causes cavities, infections, and more.
Wearing a protective mouthguard while playing sports can shield your teeth from injury due to impact. Lastly,
avoid using your teeth as tools to open packaging, bottles, etc., as this could easily fracture a tooth.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Many people mistakenly believe that there’s no point in visiting their dentist for checkups if their teeth feel fine. However, if you wait until you have a toothache to schedule an appointment, then there’s a strong chance that serious damage has already been done.
By coming in for a checkup and cleaning every six months, our team can often stop dental emergencies in their tracks. Dr. Stoddard can examine your mouth for early signs of cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and more. Not only can treating these issues early on prevent pain, but they’ll also reduce your risk of needing expensive dental procedures down the road.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Of course, you’ll also have to keep your pearly whites healthy between cleanings. Going even 24 hours without brushing or flossing can cause plaque in your mouth to harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional. Since tartar contains dangerous bacteria, your risk of infections and decay increases. Fortunately, it’s easy to keep plaque and tartar at bay – simply brush your teeth twice a day, floss every night before bed, and regularly rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Another way to prevent bacterial buildup in your mouth is to avoid consuming too much sugar. Eating a slice of cake or a bowl of ice cream every now and then is fine, but excess sugar attracts harmful bacteria. Instead, incorporate plenty of nutrient-rich foods and drinks into your diet, such as low-fat dairy products and leafy greens.
Wear a Mouthguard
Nearly 40% of all dental injuries, including knocked-out or broken teeth, are sports-related. If you’re an athlete, it’s in your best interest to protect your pearly whites by wearing a mouthguard. Dr. Stoddard can craft a personalized appliance for you that not only fits more comfortably than store-bought mouthguards, but also shields your teeth more effectively.
Similarly, he can provide you with a custom nightguard if you habitually grind your teeth while sleeping. Bruxism (chronic teeth grinding) can wear down your teeth, leading to sensitivity and fractures later on.
Don’t Use Your Teeth As Tools
Your teeth might seem like convenient tools to quickly open a bottle or package that your hands cannot. However, one slip and you might end up seriously injuring your smile. Any time that you might have saved by using your teeth as tools will be then spent visiting your emergency dentist in Longview. To safeguard your smile, take a few extra moments to always use the ideal tool for the job.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Dental emergencies often come unexpected, and it can be difficult to know what to do when you’re dealing with stress and discomfort. It is perfectly understandable that you have some unanswered questions, so we’re here to help! Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies in Longview. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, just give us a call! We’d be happy to help you through your situation and schedule you for an urgent appointment.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Toothaches don’t generally go away on their own. For this reason, it is best to schedule a checkup with a dentist to ensure that nothing is wrong. There are many potential causes of a toothache, so you’ll want to rule them out with a professional as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying issues before they become more serious.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
It can be difficult to get quality sleep when you are dealing with a toothache at night. Until you are able to see your dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This prevents blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Additionally, take over-the-counter pain medication as needed and avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed for improved comfort. A cold compress can also help to dull some of the discomfort.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Unfortunately, most emergency rooms are not able to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are three main exceptions where an ER visit is a better option. You should head directly to the emergency room if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, serious cut or laceration to the face or mouth, or an abscess or infection that is swollen to the point of affecting breathing or swallowing. In virtually all other circumstances, you should visit a dentist first.
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
Throbbing tooth pain is likely a sign of infection or inflammation within the tooth. Cavities inside the tooth allow air and bacteria to reach the sensitive inner area. This results in irritation and potential infection of pulp nerves, therefore causing pain. This can also occur if decay is present. In other cases, throbbing teeth can be due to teeth grinding and clenching. During your visit with us, we will evaluate your smile to determine the cause of your discomfort.
More to Explore
Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Dental Implants Cosmetic Dentistry Periodontal Therapy TMJ/TMD Therapy Sedation Dentistry Advanced Technology View Our Services