Dental emergencies are, by nature, unplanned. They often have the tendency to happen at the most inconvenient times too, like the night before your child’s school photo or a few days before an important work trip. If you’re struggling with a severe oral injury and/or dental pain, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Mark Lawton here in Greater Inwood, Houston for fast assistance. Better yet, we’re also happy to serve patients from Jersey Village, Cypress, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Tomball, The Heights, Spring, and other surrounding communities.
Unsure of what to expect from emergency dentistry? Don’t worry – we have you covered! Below, you’ll find an overview of how we handle urgent dental care. It should help you feel confident and organized as you enter treatment. With that said, here’s what will happen:
Our team works hard to fit these urgent cases in as soon as possible on the same day we receive your call, providing focused restorative care and effective pain relief so that you and your family can return to a normal schedule in record time. In the meantime, here’s how you can improve your situation before you arrive.
While your emergency care costs cannot be determined until you arrive at our office for an exam, we strongly encourage you to visit for care. The cost of your treatment will vary depending on the severity of your issue. For example, tooth pain could be due to decay, or it could be due to an infection. Both come with their own unique costs. With that said, we are currently in-network with many major dental insurance providers and we will do what we can to maximize your benefits. Even if you don’t have insurance, you can also take advantage of third-party financing services so you don’t have to put off your necessary care simply due to cost.
As you’d expect, it’s easier to prevent a dental emergency than to manage one. The latter scenario inevitably costs you both time and money. Therefore, you should minimize your risk of emergency now to avoid hassles down the road. Luckily, Dr. Lawton knows a few ways to do exactly that. Consider, then, investing in checkups and healthy habits to keep dental emergencies at bay.
If the unexpected strikes, it’s normal to have several concerns, but you don’t want to waste valuable time searching for the information you need. We can provide first-aid advice over the phone to help calm your nerves and schedule an appointment because it’s vital you see an emergency dentist in Houston right away. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions patients ask us to make a difficult situation a bit easier.
If you’re like many people, you might believe an occasional toothache is normal, but it’s never a good sign. Dental pain often indicates a larger underlying problem, like an infection. It’s best to always see a dentist to get to the root of your discomfort, even if your toothache goes away. We’ll evaluate your smile to find the issue before it worsens and to provide the necessary treatment.
If you have a toothache, it’s difficult to focus on anything else but your discomfort, which means it can be impossible to get any sleep. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to manage your toothache, so you can get the rest you need. It’s best to keep your head elevated to prevent the blood from rushing to your mouth, which will cause the pain to intensify. You can take an over-the-counter pain medication before going to bed. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your face may reduce your discomfort. Additionally, your dentist in Houston recommends avoiding acidic, cold, or hard foods before calling it a night.
Although you’re having a dental emergency, heading to the hospital isn’t always the appropriate solution. While an ER can provide antibiotics and pain relievers, they can’t fix the underlying issue. Unless you have a jaw fracture, dislocation, or serious facial or oral lacerations, it’s always best to contact your emergency dentist. Patients who are having difficulty breathing or swallowing from swelling should also go to the ER first. We’ll be here after you’re released to restore your healthy smile. If your situation doesn’t meet any of the above criteria, contact our office to get the prompt care you need.
Sometimes, a chipped tooth doesn’t always cause pain. As a result, you might believe the damage is minor and doesn’t need to be treated immediately. Unfortunately, even if you aren’t having any discomfort, the issue might be more severe than you realize. If the chip is significant enough, it can leave the inner layers of your teeth exposed, which can lead to decay and infection. Not to mention, your tooth will be weakened and at risk of breaking. It’s better to see your dentist within a couple of days to have your tooth examined. We will create a customized treatment plan to restore the health, function, and appearance of your tooth, such as with dental bonding.
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