Emergency Dentistry

What is a Dental Emergency?

Like all medical emergencies, dental emergencies require immediate and quality care. If you are in a lot of pain, see visible swelling, your gums or teeth are discolored, you have broken or knocked out a tooth or have experienced some other trauma to your mouth or jaw that affects your teeth or gums, you should seek emergency dental treatment as soon as possible. Sports impact, chewing hard food, using teeth as scissors, and infections can all result in dental emergencies. The good news is, Dr. Wright and our team leave room in our schedule every day to accommodate emergencies and are on-call after hours. We’re here for you when you need us!

If You Have a Dental Emergency

If you have a dental emergency during office hours, you should call us and come to the office immediately. If you have a dental emergency outside office hours, call our number and follow the instructions on the answering service. Your Bulverde/Spring Branch emergency dentist, Dr. Wright at Smithson Valley Family Dentistry is here for you.

(830) 217-7000 Schedule Online

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

In any dental emergency, call us and make an appointment before you do anything else. If the office is closed, you may get our answering service, but Dr. Wright is on call and available to help if need be. At the same time, clean and treat your wound as much as you can until you can get in to see the dentist to preserve the tooth and surrounding tissues.

Ways to Prevent a Dental Emergency

Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities with the potential for injury.
Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
Use scissors – NEVER your teeth – to cut things and open packages.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC DENTAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

Toothache: Call your dentist as soon as you feel pain. Use painkillers, cold compress, and rinse with warm salt water as needed. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin directly on the aching tooth or gum tissues.
Broken/Chipped/Cracked Tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to your face until you see the dentist. Keep any broken tooth pieces in a wet towel or a container with milk and bring it to the dentist.
Tooth Knocked Out: If your tooth gets knocked out or is very loose, keep it moist and hold it in its original place (if you can) until you see the dentist. If you can’t do that, place it between your cheek and gums or in milk, and get to the dentist as soon as possible.
Bitten Lip or Tongue: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress. If you have persistent bleeding or discoloration, call your dentist immediately.
Object Stuck in the Teeth or Mouth: Try to gently remove with floss, but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.

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Emergency Dentistry

What is a Dental Emergency?

If You Have a Dental Emergency

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Ways to Prevent a Dental Emergency

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIFIC DENTAL EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

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(830) 217-7000

Office Hours

Mon - Fri

8:00am – 5:00pm

After Hours?

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