Kids & Teens Dentistry provides emergency dentistry in Houston and Pearland, TX. Call 713-413-8282 or contact us right away if your child has a dental emergency. After hours, please follow the directions provided and someone will return your call. If the emergency becomes life threatening, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.
What Is Emergency Dentistry?
Emergency dentistry is the treatment of urgent dental conditions that require immediate attention. When the condition is severe enough that it can’t wait until the next day to be addressed, it would be considered a dental emergency. Seeking prompt care for a dental emergency can greatly increase the chances of a positive outcome.
When to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room
If the situation becomes life threatening, such as:
- Extreme loss of blood
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
Call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department. Follow up with us later, after your child has received the necessary care they need.
Common Dental Emergencies
We commonly handle the following dental emergencies:
When a tooth is infected, it can be extremely painful. If the pain is severe enough that it can’t be managed with over-the-counter pain medication, please contact us.
If a tooth is cracked or has sustained a severe fracture (bigger than a small chip), it should be treated right away. The tooth may be painful and is susceptible to infection. The sooner it is addressed the more likely it can be saved. Keep any pieces of the broken tooth that you can locate and place them in saliva or milk. Bring them with you to your appointment in case we can reattach them.
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, pick it up by the crown and avoid touching the roots. Plug the drain and rinse the tooth in cool water. Place the tooth back in the socket and bite down on clean gauze or a soft cloth. If you can’t get it back in the socket, place it in a cup of saliva or milk. Call us immediately. If it is a baby tooth, do not attempt to put it back in the socket.
In the case of a tooth knocked loose or out of place that is still in the mouth, call us right away. We will see you as soon as possible to reposition the tooth.
An injury to the soft tissues of the mouth, such as biting the tongue or lip severely or sustaining a blow to the mouth or jaw, may need immediate attention depending on the severity. Apply pressure to stop the bleeding. If bleeding is uncontrolled, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Emergencies
Why can’t a baby tooth be put back in the socket?
If a baby tooth gets knocked out before it is ready to be shed naturally, putting it back in place is not recommended. It can damage the permanent tooth beneath the baby tooth. A space maintainer may be worn until the permanent tooth is ready to come in.
How long after a tooth gets knocked out can it be put back?
Fast action is required after a knocked-out tooth. You only have about a 30-minute window where we can successfully put the tooth back in place, so be sure to call us as soon as possible.
Is emergency dentistry covered by insurance?
Most emergency dental services are covered by most dental insurance plans. The best way to be sure of your insurance coverage is to contact your provider and inquire about emergency dentistry coverage under your specific plan. In an emergency, seek care first and handle the insurance afterwards.
How do I know whether or not to call after hours?
Only you can be the judge of the situation. If you feel it is urgent enough to contact us after hours, please do. We will return your call and ask you some questions to determine the severity of the situation. We will handle your case according to the urgency, possibly after hours or the next day during our normal office hours.
In case of a dental emergency, call 713-413-8282 or contact us right away. After hours, please follow the directions provided and someone will return your call. If the emergency becomes life threatening, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.