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Emergency Dentist — Boerne, TX

Fast Care for When the Unexpected Happens

Woman holding cheek in pain before emergency dentistry

Dental emergencies tend to come out of nowhere and are always an unpleasant surprise. No one wakes up in the morning expecting to deal with a cracked, knocked-out, or painful tooth! Fortunately, should you ever find yourself in need of immediate dental care, you can just call Boerne Dental Center. We’ll let you know what to do over the phone and schedule a same-day appointment so we can get rid of your pain and fix any problem as quickly as possible with emergency dentistry in Boerne, TX. For fast care when the unexpected happened, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Why Choose Boerne Dental Center for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Trusted By Boerne Families Since 1965
  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
  • Sedation Dentistry Available for Optimal Comfort

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Pained man visiting his Boerne emergency dentist
  • Step 1: Give us a call as soon as you can! We do everything we can to schedule same-day appointments for emergency patients, so don’t wait to give us a call.
  • Step 2: Follow our over-the-phone instructions. Over the phone, one of our experienced team members will walk you through some basic first-aid for managing your situation until you can reach us for your appointment.
  • Step 3: Get an emergency exam. When you arrive, one of our dentists will see you right away for your emergency exam. During this time, we’ll focus primarily on understanding the source and extent of your emergency, as well as relieving any pain you may be in.
  • Step 4: Review your options and make a plan. Once your situation has been stabilized and you can think clearly, we’ll review our finings with you and fully explain all your treatment options. Factoring in price, necessity, and your preferences, we’ll work with you to create a custom treatment plan.
  • Step 5: Get the fast dental care you need right away! Whether you need a filling, antibiotics, a dental crown, a tooth replacement, root canal therapy, or something else entirely, our talented team will jump into action as soon as you’ve agreed to a treatment plan.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency is any situation in which a person is feeling a lot of pain associated with their teeth and mouth or they have experienced a traumatic oral injury. The first thing anyone should do is call our dental office, and our team will be able to walk them through first-aid over the phone. We’ll also schedule an appointment so we can see someone right away. In the meantime, however, there are a few things people can do to take control during the most common dental emergencies. Read on as we go over some important information about the most common dental emergencies we treat.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

dental tools on money representing cost of dental emergencies in Boerne

The cost of treating a dental emergency is always different from patient to patient depending on the type and extent of their injury. What’s consistent, however, is that it’s always wise to seek out care quickly before the pain or dental issue has a chance to become worse. We’re happy to make this type of care affordable for absolutely everyone by accepting dental insurance and even offering our own in-house savings plan.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Woman smiling after toothache treatment in Boerne
  • Wear a mouthguard whenever you play sports—up to 40% of all dental injuries stem from sports-related accidents!
  • Preserve your teeth and don’t chew on items like ice, popcorn kernels, pens, pencils, fingernails, etc.
  • Be careful when eating or biting into particularly hard or sticky foods.
  • Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
  • Keep up with your oral hygiene and dental checkups so small problems can be prevented and treated before they turn into big emergencies.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s 

Should I Go to the ER or My Emergency Dentist?

Dental emergencies happen at the most unexpected times, which makes them incredibly stressful to deal with. In the moment, it can be difficult to assess your situation and determine whether you should visit your local ER or emergency dentist. If you’re in pain that’s not life-threatening, your emergency dentist is the best place to go. Otherwise, if you have a fractured or broken jaw, deep facial laceration, or are having difficulty breathing or swallowing, you require immediate medical attention and should go to the nearest ER.

How Can I Tell If My Problem Is Actually An Emergency?

Some patients worry about turning a small issue into a big deal by immediately jumping to the conclusion that they require emergency care. If you’re concerned about this, here are a few traits that signify that you require urgent treatment:

  • You have a severe toothache.
  • Your mouth is bleeding.
  • You have a damaged tooth.
  • Your tooth has fallen out or is loose.

Chances are, if you’re in pain or experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms, you should contact our office so we can diagnose and treat the situation.

Will My Toothache Go Away On Its Own?

Unfortunately, it’s not likely that your toothache will disappear on its own. Before you contact our office, be sure to gently floss around the affected area and rinse with lukewarm salt water. If your pain persists, it could be a result of a bad tooth infection, which will require immediate intervention. If your tooth goes numb, it could mean that the nerves inside are dead, and it may need to be extracted. Either way, it’s important to get to our office as soon as possible so we can treat the problem and prevent it from getting worse.

I’m Scared to Visit the Emergency Dentist, What Should I Do?

Experiencing a dental emergency is scary enough as it is, but if you also suffer from dental anxiety or fear, it can make the prospect of picking up the phone and calling our office even more daunting that it already is. Fortunately, at Boerne Dental, we offer oral conscious and nitrous oxide sedation so you can feel relaxed and comfortable while getting the dental care you need. That way, seeking help doesn’t have to turn into a traumatic and unforgettable event for you. Simply let our office know when you call us to schedule an emergency appointment, and we’ll be prepared to administer sedation when you get to our office.


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Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

You should definitely consider tooth pain a signal that something is wrong. There’s no need for you to suffer because our team can address the problem quickly. Often, but not always, a toothache results from a cavity that has delved deep into the tooth, reaching the pulp where the nerve is located. This situation should be treated as soon as possible to stop the infection from spreading even further.

How You Should Handle a Toothache

If you have tooth pain that goes longer than a couple of days, give our office a call for an immediate appointment. You may take over-the-counter pain reliever as instructed on the packaging, and you may wish to put a cold compress on your face to help numb the area. This can also help with any swelling. If you can, try to floss around the affected tooth to make sure nothing is stuck and keep your mouth clean by rinsing with saltwater. Avoid eating with that area of your mouth.

How We Treat Toothaches

Our first priority is to relieve your discomfort, which we can do through a local anesthetic. Once we’ve examined your hurting tooth, we can then address the underlying problem. If it is a deep cavity, we may need to perform root canal therapy, which entails removing the pulp entirely and sealing off the inner chamber of the tooth to prevent further damage. Then, we restore the tooth with a dental crown.

Learn More about Root Canal Therapy

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Learn More about Same-Day Crowns

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Many times, a chipped tooth doesn’t necessarily cause pain; however, it is considered a dental emergency because of the aesthetic effect it can have on a smile.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth

After the tooth becomes chipped, try to find the piece(s) and bring them with you to your appointment. In some cases, the tooth has a sharp edge or point. To prevent cutting your soft tissues (i.e., your tongue, cheeks, lips, or gums), you may put sugar-free gum or dental wax over the tooth.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth 

Sometimes, the chipped portion of the tooth can simply be reattached. However, we may need to fill in the lost part with composite resin (called cosmetic bonding) or cover the tooth with a dental crown. As much as possible, we will try to use the most conservative option to preserve your natural enamel, but we also need to think about which solution is best for your smile’s appearance and function.

Learn More about Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More about CEREC Dental Crowns

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Cracks in the enamel expose the more vulnerable inner layers of the tooth to harmful bacteria. Not only does this pave the way for painful cavities, but it also weakens the tooth and impairs function. That’s why you should have a cracked tooth looked at right away.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth

A cracked tooth should be protected and kept clean until you arrive for your appointment. Avoid chewing with that area of your mouth, and stay away from overly hot, cold, or sugary foods if you need to eat. Rinse your mouth with clean water. If you feel any pain, you may take some ibuprofen to reduce your discomfort.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth 

Treatment may vary from patient to patient depending on how deep the crack goes. Cosmetic cracks can be covered with cosmetic bonding, while deeper cracks may require a dental crown after root canal therapy. If the crack reaches below the gumline, we may need to extract the tooth completely and replace it with a bridge or dental implant.

Learn More about Cosmetic Bonding

Learn More about Dental Crowns

Learn More about Root Canal Therapy

Learn More about Dental Implants

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Dental sensitivity can be quite a nuisance, making everything from your morning cup of coffee to your evening scoop of ice cream difficult to enjoy. If the sensation has lasted for more than 24 hours, it’s stemming from one tooth, or you’re experiencing any other abnormal symptoms, like red and swollen gums, then we encourage you to give our Boerne dental team a call right away so we can determine if a same-day appointment is necessary.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

First, take proactive measures to minimize the discomfort. That starts with avoiding spicy, acidic, and sugary foods and extends to switching to a desensitizing toothpaste. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication to help avoid sensitivity until we have a chance to treat the root of the problem.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth

Our team at Boerne Dental offers a multitude of treatment options, but the one we recommend will depend on the source of your sensitivity. In some cases, the discomfort is actually stemming from an infection of the gums. In that case, gum disease treatment is necessary to provide you with long-lasting relief. If the root of the issue is a large cavity, then a dental crown or root canal therapy may be the best solution. Of course, there are also some cases where simply switching to a prescription mouthwash and desensitizing toothpaste is enough!

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Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Yes, a knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency. In fact, our Boerne emergency dentist needs to see you within 60 minutes of the incident (although ideally it would be much sooner) for the highest likelihood of saving your tooth. So, call us right away. Over the phone, we can guide you through what to do next and schedule a time for you to come in for treatment.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

Priority number one is finding the tooth. If you are able to locate it, then avoid the root when picking it up. Instead, gently pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), and rinse it off with water if it’s dirty. You can place the tooth back in its socket, but only if it slides back in easily – never force it. You can also store it in a glass of milk or saliva for safekeeping.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth

Rest assured our dentists will take every measure to save your natural tooth. Unfortunately, that isn’t always possible, like if the tooth has been significantly damaged. At that point, we will need to discuss your tooth-replacement options, like dental bridges or implants.

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Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

A lost filling or crown is considered a dental emergency since the missing restoration can result in a lot of discomfort and leave your tooth vulnerable to a crack or infection.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown

First, call our office to schedule an appointment. Next, rinse your mouth with water to keep the area clean before covering the tooth with a piece of dental wax or sugarless gum. This will help minimize sensitivity stemming from the tooth. Of course, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever as instructed to alleviate discomfort.

Note: if you have the dental crown, please store it carefully in a small container or bag and bring it with you to your appointment.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns

A lost filling can easily be replaced with a new one, which is a quick and seamless process. How we address your lost dental crown will depend. If you couldn’t find it or it was damaged, then we will get to work on your replacement one. With same-day dental crowns, we can handle this in-house and in just one visit as well! Of course, if you were able to find your dental crown and it’s in good shape, then we will see if recementing it back in place is a feasible option.

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Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

Whether your dentures are missing a small piece or they’ve completely split down the middle, you should call our Boerne dental team as soon as you can. That way, we can repair or replace them before it negatively affects your confidence, bite, and overall quality of life.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture

First, let’s start with the things you shouldn’t do, like using super glue to piece your dentures back together. Remember, adhesives like these contain toxins that aren’t safe to ingest. We recommend instead scheduling an appointment with us and storing your broken dentures in a small container in the meantime.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

When you arrive for your appointment with your dentures, we will assess the damage. From there, we can determine if the next best step is repairing them, replacing them, or upgrading them with dental implants.

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Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Yes! There are a few reasons for this, including that a loose permanent tooth can negatively impact your bite, it’s vulnerable to infection, and it can fall out entirely if you don’t get the treatment you need right away.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth

In addition to scheduling an appointment with our Boerne emergency dentist, we recommend continually rinsing your mouth with clean water to help prevent an infection from forming. Of course, there are a few things you shouldn’t do as well, like chew on that side of your mouth or wiggle the tooth with your finger.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

Saving your natural teeth is always our top priority. Sadly, that’s not always possible. If we can’t give your tooth the support it needs to heal back in place, then we will need to extract the tooth and replace it with a dental bridge or dental implant.

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Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

Soft tissue injuries, like a cut on your gums, can produce a lot of blood, which often causes patients to panic. However, they don’t typically require immediate care from our team. If, however, you’ve been applying pressure to the wound for 10 minutes and it’s still bleeding, then you should go to the ER.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

You can handle injuries to your gums, lips, or tongue in two simple steps: rinse the cut with clean water and apply pressure with a damp washcloth or some gauze.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Although you may not need to visit our Boerne dental office for treatment, you should head to the ER if the cut continues to bleed after 10 minutes of applying pressure.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Sometimes, yes! We generally recommend giving us a call if your jaw pain has persisted for more than 24 hours. Over the phone, we can learn more about your symptoms and determine if a same-day appointment is necessary.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

At home, do what you can to avoid exacerbating your jaw pain. That includes not eating anything hard, placing a cold compress against your jaw in 10-minute intervals, and taking OTC pain medication as instructed.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

Oftentimes, jaw pain is the result of chronic teeth grinding/clenching, TMJ dysfunction, or an impacted wisdom tooth. With X-rays, an oral exam, and a better idea of your symptoms, we’ll be able to pinpoint the cause and create a custom treatment plan to relieve your pain.

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Something Stuck Between the Teeth

At first, you might not think twice about having something stuck between your teeth. However, if the debris is left in place, it can result in everything from tooth decay to gum disease. That’s why we recommend acting right away. That starts with rinsing your mouth with a mixture of warm water and salt, which will hopefully loosen the debris. Then, use some floss to clean between your teeth. If this doesn’t work, call our team to schedule an appointment.