Got a Problem? Your Emergency Dentist in La Porte Can Help

You never know when a dental emergency is going to happen, but knowing how to handle one could make all the difference in the outcome. Your emergency dentist in La Porte is committed to providing dental care at those critical times when waiting is difficult. We offer early morning and evening appointments, and in many cases, same day appointments for dental emergencies. We know that having a plan in advance can help ease the anxiety one faces during times of pain and stress. Dr. Daniel Berquist and Dr. Joseph Ornelas can offer first aid tips over the phone, answer questions and schedule appointments so you can get the immediate help you need.

Should I Go To The Emergency Room?

It is important to realize when you are having an emergency that would best be handled at an emergency room. If you are experiencing bleeding that lasts for one or more hours or think your jaw may be broken, you need to seek immediate medical treatment. Always be sure to give us a call on your way so that we can work together with other healthcare providers to restore your oral health quickly and safely.

Region Dental’s 4 C’s of Dental Emergencies

If you’re experiencing an emergency such as a knocked out tooth or an abscess, use the following as a guideline until you are able to receive dental care:

1. Remain calm — We know this can be hard, especially if you are in severe pain. However, it is important to keep your blood pressure down so that the severity of the damage and pain can be properly assessed. It is also helpful when needing to get any bleeding stopped.
2. Call — Be sure to call our team as soon as possible. We can help guide you through any first aid steps that may be necessary before arriving at our office.
3. Clean — It is important to try and clean the area affected by swishing with warm water. This will clean out any debris or blood. If there are missing teeth, be careful to handle them by the biting surface only and not the root area, and rinse gently with water.
4. Cold — To reduce swelling, relieve pain and slow bleeding, use an ice pack in 20 minute intervals — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off.

The 5 Most Common Dental Emergencies

• Lost a filling — Rinse out the area with warm water and take a cotton ball or some dental filling product like Dentemp and press it firmly into the exposed tooth. Arrange for treatment soon.
• Lost a crown or cap — This may not trigger immediate pain, but you don’t want food to get into the exposed area. Use dental wax to protect against sensitivity while you eat and seek treatment as soon as possible.
• Toothache — Rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack in 20 minutes intervals. Do not place pain medication against the gums, which could enflame them and damage the teeth. Seek treatment as soon as possible.
• Chipped or broken tooth — If you can, save the chipped tooth and rinse it and your mouth with warm water. If there is any bleeding, apply cotton or gauze to the mouth for ten minutes. Apply a cold compress until the swelling goes down. Seek treatment as soon as possible.
• Knocked a tooth out of your mouth — If at all possible, get to the dentist within one hour with your tooth and there is a good chance it can be saved. You can try to replace the tooth back into its socket yourself, however, be sure to rinse the tooth first with warm water. If it will take some time to seek treatment, place tooth in a container of milk or in salt water until you can get to our office.

Be Prepared

Your dentist in La Porte urges you to be prepared by knowing what you can do for yourself in an emergency. If you have questions about our emergency services, please call us today.