If you are experiencing a dental emergency, there is no time for waiting—especially because it can cause you a lot of pain.
But what are you supposed to do when you don’t have an appointment lined up or it’s after business hours?
The team at Kansas Family Dental will tell you what to do: call us immediately at (913) 500-5555 and if you are experiencing a dental emergency after hours, follow the prompts for emergency assistance.
Not only do our dentists near Shawnee offer same-day or next-day appointments, but we can also tell you what to do in the meantime.
If you’re curious about what we consider a dental emergency, keep reading.
What Are Dental Emergencies?
What’s the difference between a serious dental issue and a minor one? Kansas Family Dental is here to clarify. A dental emergency typically involves severe pain, bleeding, or swelling that requires immediate attention.
This could include the following instances.
Severe Toothache
A severe toothache is not just painful—it’s a sign of infection or another condition that won’t get better on its own. Toothaches can be caused by:
- Gum disease
- Damaged fillings or crowns
- Abscessed tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Cavities
If you feel a sharp, jabbing pain that is also accompanied by chills, fever, or a headache, call your emergency dentist near Shawnee immediately. Not only can we schedule an appointment for you, but we will also give you instructions for how to manage the pain until you’re in our chair.
Cracked Tooth
Some cracks and fractures are small enough to not affect your tooth. But other times, damage can cause the tooth to break into pieces or split. In this instance, we strongly recommend calling our team. Not only can these cracks or fractures cause you pain, but they can also allow bacteria to enter your tooth and cause an abscess.
It’s best not to wait. Call our trusted dentists for an emergency dental appointment so we can help you find fast relief.
Lost Fillings
A lost filling can happen for many reasons—new decay, chewing too hard, biting into hard food, and teeth grinding are a few examples. It’s best to be proactive when you notice that your filling has fallen out and call our dental office for an emergency appointment.
Fillings are to prevent further tooth decay. Waiting too long can cause additional damage from bacteria and food particles sticking to the empty space.
The missing filling can also expose the second layer of your tooth (dentin) and cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods, drinks, and temperatures.
Not to mention, the sooner you get in to see our dentist near Shawnee after losing a filling, the easier the process will be. If we can quickly replace the filling, you shouldn’t need any further treatment. If you wait too long, you may need more advanced restorative dentistry procedures like crowns, root canals, or even extractions.
Lost Crowns
A crown protects your tooth, so when you lose that protection, what are you supposed to do? Call a dentist for a replacement.
In most scenarios, you will know as soon as you lose the crown because it usually comes loose while you’re eating, brushing, or flossing, and you’ll feel it shift or come off in your mouth. While this scenario may not cause pain, it’s still important to call your dentist right away. Losing this protection can increase the risk of infection, tooth decay, and cracks, chips, or further damage.
Knocked-Out Teeth
Accidents happen, and a knocked-out tooth is a very serious one that requires immediate action. First, please remember to handle the tooth only at the crown and never the root.
Gently rinse (but don’t scrub) the tooth and try to reinsert it back into the socket. If this isn’t possible, place your tooth in a cup of water or milk to bring to your dentist near Shawnee.
A dentist can potentially save a knocked-out tooth if it’s put back into its socket within an hour of the injury.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess is an infection that can damage your oral tissues and spread to other parts of your body. Cavities, cracked teeth, trauma, and the other dental issues listed in this blog can all lead to an abscess. How? Because they create an opening for bacteria to enter the tooth or surrounding tissue.
You may experience swelling, redness, bad breath, loosening of the affected tooth, and open, draining sores on the sides of your gums. It’s best to visit our team as soon as you notice symptoms to prevent further complications and save your tooth from extraction.
What to Expect From Our Team
Dental issues and a surprise emergency visit to the dentist can cause all kinds of anxiety. Our team is here to help; here’s what to expect when you call us for emergency dental care.
A Phone Call
Call us immediately so we can schedule a same-day or next-day appointment. We make sure to have a chair open for anyone with a dental emergency.
Not only do we help you find care immediately, but we tell you how to care for your tooth until you arrive at our office. The instructions vary from applying a cold compress to the affected area to taking pain relievers.
A Compassionate Team
We understand that dental emergencies happen for a number of reasons. Our team will treat you as a member of our family, making sure that you feel comfortable and at ease under our care.
Financing Options and Insurance
We try to make our care as accessible as possible to anyone looking for a dentist near Shawnee. The price of dental procedures shouldn’t deter you from getting emergency or routine care. That’s why we accept most major dental insurance plans and offer flexible
financing through Cherry and CareCredit.
Find Emergency Care
Don’t hesitate to call our team the moment you need emergency dental care. Call us immediately at (913) 500-5555 for emergency dental care.
To prevent emergencies, book a routine appointment here.
