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Some of the common dental emergencies Conroe dentists see each day include:

• Broken teeth
• Knocked out teeth
• Loose or dislodged dental work
• Bleeding gums
• Abscessed teeth
• Facial pain and swelling

Painful toothaches and abscessed teeth are nothing to play around with. Left alone, they can lead to serious complications. In rare circumstances, a dental abscess can cause you to end up in a hospital emergency room because of the infection spreading further into the areas around your teeth. Infection can also spread to your brain in rare but aggressive circumstances.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s important to contact a Conroe dental specialist immediately and head to the nearest emergency room:

• Severe tooth pain that causes vomiting.
• A high fever.
• Swelling that has spread to your throat making it hard to breath and swallow. (This situation is dangerous because it can cause your airway to close off. Treating an infection this severe can land you in the hospital for days.)
• Swelling that has risen to the top your face, causing your eye shut.

To help prevent a dental emergency, we recommend seeing your Conroe dentist every six months. As a periodontal practice, we frequently alternate your maintenance schedule every 3-4 months with your general dental team.

As part of your annual exam, X-Rays should be taken at least once per year. Doing so will let us keep a close eye on your dental health as a whole. Should any underlying infections start to develop or relapse, we can make appropriate recommendations before they cause a dental emergency.

What to do If You Knock Out a Tooth

Avulsed (knocked out) teeth are common, especially among professional, recreational, and student athletes. Fortunately, acting fast can give you the chance to save the tooth and avoid replacing it with an implant.

First things first, locate the tooth and handle it only by the crown (the part you see above the gums,) never the root. If there’s visible debris such as dirt, you can rinse the tooth under a gentle stream running water. Never scrub the root surfaces, as this can damage the fibers that help in reattachment.

If possible, reinsert your knocked out tooth back into the socket. Don’t force it in. Next, close down on something soft — like a rolled up tissue — and get to our office in The Woodlands within the hour. We may be able to splint the tooth to help it reattach naturally. A root canal may be needed later on.

For teeth that won’t go back into the socket, store them completely submerged in a sealed container, covered in contact solution, milk, saline, or if none of those are available use tap water with a pinch of salt. Bring it to our office or your emergency dentist’s practice within the next hour.

Keep Our Number Handy

If you’re experiencing a periodontal emergency in Conroe, contact our gum specialist. We will do everything possible to help alleviate your infection and save your affected tooth. Call now!