Some accidents are unavoidable, but many dental emergencies can be avoided by taking special precautionary steps. If you live in or around McAllen, TX and require emergency dental care, Dr. Joon Baek and the team at Top Dental take same-day emergency visits, meaning you can walk in and receive prompt emergency dental care. Our office is open until 8 pm on weekends. Once you arrive at our dental practice, Dr. Baek can alleviate your pain with minimum discomfort.
What Steps Can I Take To Avoid a Dental Emergency?
Some dental emergencies, like the onset of a root canal infection, are not the result of accidents but many are. Many of the emergency cases that we treat result from accidents and dangerous habits. Following these simple steps can lower your risk of experiencing a dental emergency.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing recreational activities or sports
- Wear a helmet if you are playing sports that are known for potentially serious injuries
- Never use your teeth to tear packages or to try open objects
- Avoid running with objects in your mouth
- Prevent accidental falls by blocking stairs and dangerous areas from children
- Visit your dentist every six months for check-ups and exams
- Avoid eating hard objects like popcorn kernels and ice
- Replace worn prosthetics that have reached the end of their expected lifespan
- Treat cavities early before they become significantly advanced
- Stay ahead of gum disease with good oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits
Dental Emergencies We Treat
Dental emergencies tend to result from trauma or the sudden onset of oral pain. At Top Dental, Dr. Baek can treat:
- Severe toothache
- Root canal infection
- Abscess
- Loose teeth
- Broken or dislodged prosthetic
- Broken or chipped teeth
An advanced infection may require root canal therapy. During the straightforward restorative treatment, Dr. Baek will numb your tooth using local anesthesia before drilling a hole in your tooth and removing decay and infection. Once your tooth has been cleaned and sealed, you can retain your natural tooth for a lifetime.
Some dental emergencies require emergency tooth extraction. Dr. Baek will numb the treatment area before gently loosening and extracting the damaged tooth. If your tooth is extracted due to advanced infection, you may experience immediate relief from pain.
What Do I Do If I am Experiencing a Dental Emergency?
Some dental emergencies allow time to contact our office while others require an urgent drive to our office. If you are in severe oral pain or experiencing bleeding, it is best that you have someone drive you to our office. The American Dental Association provides this advice for handling a knocked-out tooth.
If your symptoms are not urgent but you believe you may have an advanced infection or another serious dental problem, you can call our office at (956) 618-5811. A member of our dental team will listen to your symptoms before recommending an emergency visit or a scheduled visit at a later day. Symptoms of an advanced cavity include:
- Lingering pain resulting from hot or cold food and drinks
- Spontaneous pain without any external stimulus
- Nocturnal pain at night
Early treatment of oral pain can often lead to better health outcomes. Treatment of an advanced cavity could prevent the need for a root canal, for example.
Enjoy Prompt and Professional Emergency Dental Care at Top Dental
Severe toothache, excessive bleeding, swollen gums, and pus discharge are signs that you need immediate attention. We accept dental emergencies seven days a week. You can always reach us at (956) 618-5811 to schedule your appointment.