Emergency Dentist in Midland TX

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. Persistent and severe tooth pain may indicate an infection, a deep cavity, or even an abscess. If left untreated, tooth pain can lead to further complications, so seeking emergency care is essential.

How You Should Handle It:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water and floss gently to remove any food particles or debris that may be causing irritation.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage the discomfort until you can visit us.

How We Treat It:

We will thoroughly examine your tooth to determine the cause of the pain, which could be due to an infection, tooth decay, or damage. Depending on the severity, we may perform a root canal, place a filling, or extract the tooth if necessary.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency, and acting quickly is key to saving the tooth. The sooner you visit us, the better the chances of successfully re-implanting the tooth.

How You Should Handle It:

• If the tooth is intact, hold it by the crown (the top part) and rinse it gently with water, avoiding scrubbing or touching the root.
• If possible, place the tooth back into its socket and bite down gently to hold it in place.
• If you can't reinsert the tooth, place it in a container of milk, saline solution, or your own saliva to preserve it until you reach our office.

How We Treat It:

Our team will assess the tooth and socket to determine if re-implantation is possible. If successful, we’ll stabilize the tooth and monitor it for signs of infection or complications. In cases where re-implantation isn’t possible, we may discuss dental implant or bridge options to restore your smile.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. A cracked or broken tooth can cause pain and expose the tooth to further damage or infection. Prompt treatment helps prevent additional harm.

How You Should Handle It:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Avoid chewing on the side of the broken tooth.
• If there are any sharp edges, you can cover them with dental wax or sugar-free gum to prevent irritation to your mouth.

How We Treat It:

We will assess the extent of the crack or break and determine the appropriate treatment. This could include dental bonding, a crown, or, in more severe cases, a root canal or extraction. Our goal is to restore both function and appearance, ensuring your tooth is protected.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. A lost filling or crown exposes the tooth to further damage, decay, or sensitivity. It’s important to address this issue as soon as possible to prevent complications.

How You Should Handle It:

• Avoid chewing on the affected side of your mouth.
• If the filling or crown is still intact, bring it with you to your appointment.
• You can temporarily cover the exposed area with dental wax or a piece of sugar-free gum to protect the tooth.

How We Treat It:

We will assess the tooth and determine if the lost filling or crown can be reattached or if a new one is required. In some cases, a root canal may be necessary if the tooth has been exposed to bacteria.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. A dental abscess is a severe infection that can spread to other areas of the body if not treated. Immediate care is required to prevent further complications.

How You Should Handle It:

• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.
• Rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to help reduce infection and alleviate discomfort.
• Avoid squeezing or pressing on the abscess.

How We Treat It:

We will drain the abscess, clean the area, and, depending on the severity, either perform a root canal or remove the infected tooth. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to clear the infection and prevent it from spreading.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. Broken braces or appliances can cause discomfort and delay your orthodontic treatment. Prompt attention is needed to avoid further complications.

How You Should Handle It:

• If a wire or bracket is poking into the inside of your mouth, cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax or a small cotton ball.
• Avoid trying to adjust the braces yourself, as this can cause further damage.

How We Treat It:

We will repair or replace the damaged braces or appliances to ensure that your treatment continues on schedule. This may involve reattaching a bracket, adjusting the wire, or replacing an appliance entirely.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Tooth sensitivity can be the result of enamel wear, gum recession, cavities, or cracks. While not always an immediate emergency, if you’re experiencing sudden or severe tooth sensitivity, it may indicate a more serious problem that requires prompt attention.

How You Should Handle It:

• Use a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth, which can help alleviate discomfort.
• Avoid consuming extremely hot or cold foods and drinks until you can see your dentist.

How We Treat It:

We’ll assess the cause of your sensitivity, which could be from cavities, cracks, gum disease, or even tooth grinding. Treatment may include fluoride treatments, dental sealants, filling cavities, or addressing any underlying conditions like gum disease.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes, a loose or lost dental appliance like dentures or a dental bridge can be a significant issue, especially if it causes discomfort or interferes with daily functions like speaking and eating.

How You Should Handle It:

• If a denture or bridge becomes loose, avoid trying to fix it yourself, as this can cause damage.
• If it's completely lost, bring the appliance with you to your appointment for an assessment

How We Treat It:

We’ll examine your appliance to determine if it can be repaired or if a new one is needed. For bridges, if the appliance is broken, we may need to replace it or create a new one. If dentures are loose, we may need to adjust them for a better fit.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. Swollen or bleeding gums may indicate gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), an abscess, or another infection that requires prompt care to avoid more severe complications.

How You Should Handle It:

• Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to reduce swelling and remove bacteria.
• Avoid irritants like tobacco, spicy foods, or alcohol that may worsen the condition.

How We Treat It:

We’ll evaluate the extent of gum disease or infection and recommend appropriate treatments such as deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), antibiotics for infection, or gum surgery if necessary.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. Any trauma to the jaw, lips, cheeks, tongue, or other soft tissues can cause significant bleeding, swelling, and discomfort. Immediate treatment is necessary to prevent infection and further complications.

How You Should Handle It:

• Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and bleeding.
• If the injury is to the tongue or cheeks, try to clean the wound with clean water to prevent infection.

How We Treat It:

Depending on the extent of the injury, we may stitch the wound, prescribe antibiotics, or perform a more extensive treatment to address jaw fractures or serious soft tissue damage. If the jaw is fractured, an X-ray will help determine the best course of action, which may include surgery.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

While not typically considered a classic dental emergency, significant, sudden changes in tooth color—such as a tooth turning dark or black—may indicate an infection, trauma, or even a dead tooth that requires immediate care.

How You Should Handle It:

• Avoid chewing on the affected tooth.
• Use over-the-counter products to manage pain or discomfort if the tooth is sensitive.

How We Treat It:

If a tooth turns dark due to trauma or infection, we may perform a root canal to remove the infection and restore the tooth's appearance. If the tooth has died, we may recommend crown placement or, in severe cases, tooth extraction and replacement.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. A partially displaced tooth, where the tooth is loose or pushed out of alignment, requires immediate care. If untreated, it can lead to tooth loss or further injury.

How You Should Handle It:

• Gently try to realign the tooth if possible, but avoid applying too much pressure.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain, and avoid chewing on the affected side.

How We Treat It:

Depending on the extent of the displacement, we will reposition the tooth and secure it with a splint if needed. If the tooth is loose or partially dislodged, a root canal may be necessary to save the tooth.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes. A dental abscess is a serious infection that can cause severe pain, swelling, fever, and even difficulty swallowing or breathing. It requires immediate treatment to prevent the infection from spreading.

How You Should Handle It:

• Apply a cold compress to alleviate swelling and pain.
• Avoid applying pressure to the abscess or trying to drain it yourself.

How We Treat It:

We will drain the abscess and clean the infected area to prevent the infection from spreading. Depending on the severity, we may need to perform a root canal, prescribe antibiotics, or extract the tooth if necessary to fully remove the infection.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes, impacted or infected wisdom teeth can cause intense pain, swelling, and even difficulty opening your mouth. Emergency care is needed if there is significant pain or signs of infection.

How You Should Handle It:

• Rinse with warm salt water to alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your face to reduce swelling.

How We Treat It:

We will examine your wisdom teeth with X-rays to determine if extraction is necessary. If an infection is present, we may prescribe antibiotics to help manage the infection and alleviate pain. If the tooth is impacted, we will discuss the best approach for removal.

Does it Require Emergency Care?

Yes, trauma to the teeth from accidents or sports injuries is a serious concern and requires immediate care to save the tooth and prevent further complications.

How You Should Handle It:

• Rinse your mouth with water to clean the affected area.
• If the tooth has been broken, try to save any pieces and bring them with you to the dentist.

How We Treat It:

We’ll assess the damage and determine whether the tooth can be saved through bonding, a crown, or a root canal. If the fracture is severe, extraction may be necessary, followed by tooth replacement options like implants or bridges.