Emergency Dentist Midlothian

Treating Your Pain and Dental Injuries Quickly

Woman rubbing her jaw in pain and looking up at emergency dentist in Midlothian

There’s no time to lose when you’re suffering from a dental emergency. Putting it off for too long can cause your dental pain to grow worse, and it could even potentially cost you the opportunity to save the tooth before the damage becomes irreparable. It’s better to call Long Family Dental instead of the emergency room in these situations; we can make time to see you right away for emergency dentistry in Midlothian– usually on the same day – and our dental office is more likely to be equipped to help you find relief as soon as possible.

Why Choose Long Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Comprehensive Treatment Menu
  • Same-Day Appointments Offered
  • IV and Oral Sedation Available
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What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Close-up of female dental patient touching her jaw
  1. Give Us a Call: The first step you should always take if you’re experiencing a dental emergency is to give our team at Long Family Dental a call. We’ll offer you first aid guidance over the phone and schedule an appointment for you that same day.
  2. Get Examined: When you come into our office, your smile will be examined by one of our skilled emergency dentists in Midlothian. Based on our team’s findings, we’ll diagnose any underlying conditions and walk you through our recommended treatment plan.
  3. Receive Treatment: Once our team answers all of your questions, we’ll schedule your procedure for either the same or following day depending on how extensive it is.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

There are two major kinds of dental emergencies: those that are the result of an unavoidable accident and those that stem from dental infections that went unaddressed for too long. No matter the nature of the emergency, you can be sure that you won’t be able to find a permanent solution on your own, so it’s best to call our dental office as soon as you’re able to.

The Cost of Treating a Dental Emergency

Dental team member looking at clipboard and talking to patient

There is no set price for urgent dental care. After all, there are so many different kinds of emergencies that the treatment required to address them will vary wildly from case to case. We will never try to sell you a treatment that you do not need; stopping your pain and saving your tooth will be our only priorities. Our dental office accepts many different insurance plans and can help you apply for third-party financing to make paying for your care much easier.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Overhead shot of man putting in mouthguard
  • If you enjoy playing sports, it’s important to wear a mouthguard on the field at all times to protect the teeth.
  • Don’t make a habit of chewing on ice, popcorn kernels, or anything else that’s hard. It can wear down the teeth quickly and eventually weaken them to the point of breaking. If you must chew on something, make it sugarless gum.
  • Opening packages with your mouth is hard on your teeth, so take the extra time to find some scissors or another tool more suited for the job instead.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? A toothache caused by trapped food can often be resolved with dental floss. However, if the pain stems from an infection, a root canal may be necessary. Call our office immediately if you experience any of the following:

  • Severe pain lasting more than 24 hours
  • Extreme sensitivity lasting over 30 seconds
  • Sharp pain when biting down
  • A small bump on the gums near the affected tooth
  • Signs of infection such as swelling, fever, or fatigue

How you should handle a toothache: Use ibuprofen for pain relief and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Avoid letting aspirin touch the tooth or gums. Rinse with warm salt water to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.

How we treat toothaches: Toothaches can result from cavities, gum disease, or infections. After an examination, we’ll determine the best treatment, which may include fillings, dental crowns, antibiotics, prescription mouthwash, root canal treatment, gum disease treatment, or extraction.

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Not always, but it’s important to see a dentist soon to prevent further damage or infection.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: If possible, collect and bring any broken pieces to your appointment. Cover sharp edges with dental wax or cement to protect your gums. Apply a cold compress in 10-minute intervals to reduce swelling.

How we treat chipped teeth: Tooth-colored composite resin is commonly used to restore chipped teeth. If the damage affects a highly visible tooth, a veneer or dental crown may be a better option for improved aesthetics and durability.

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes! Even a small crack can make your tooth vulnerable to further damage or infection. If you experience pain or sensitivity after a blow to the face, schedule an emergency appointment. Some cracks are not visible, meaning hidden damage could be present.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth with water to remove bacteria. Use a cold compress or over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort. To protect soft tissues, apply orthodontic wax or sugar-free gum to the jagged edges of your tooth.

How we treat cracked teeth: Minor cracks can be repaired with composite resin, while more severe damage may require a custom dental crown. If the tooth is beyond repair, extraction may be necessary, and we can discuss replacement options.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Sensitivity isn’t usually a true emergency, but severe or sudden pain shouldn’t be ignored. Call us to describe your symptoms – we’ll determine how quickly you need to be seen. Some underlying causes might include an abscess, gum disease, enamel erosion, or an advanced cavity.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Until you get to your emergency dentist, avoid hot, cold, acidic, spicy or very sweet foods and drinks. Brush and floss gently using a soft?bristled brush and a toothpaste formulated for sensitivity. If the discomfort spikes, take an over?the?counter pain reliever as directed.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: After a thorough examination, we’ll pinpoint the source of your discomfort and recommend one or more dental treatments to address the issue. These may include professional fluoride varnishes or gels, tooth?colored fillings, dental crowns, or root canal treatment.

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Knocked-Out Tooth

 Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes, this is considered a true dental emergency. Acting fast is critical if you hope to save the tooth. Call us right away to arrange a same?day visit. The quicker you get here, the better the chance we can reimplant the tooth successfully.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Pick up the tooth by the chewing surface and avoid touching the root. Run it under cool (not cold) water for a few seconds to remove debris. Store the tooth in a small, sealable container filled with milk or a mild salt?water solution. Bring the container straight to your appointment.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: If the root and crown are intact, we’ll splint the tooth to its neighbors and allow the surrounding bone and tissues to heal and reconnect. If the damage is too severe, we’ll discuss replacement options such as a dental bridge, denture, or dental implant.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? It’s alarming to find a filling or crown has come out, but this situation (while urgent) isn’t typically life?threatening. You should still call us as soon as possible to reduce your risk of infection or tooth damage.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: First, locate the restoration. Once you find it, keep the crown or filling in a safe container. If the area feels sharp or exposed, you can apply a small amount of dental wax (available at most pharmacies) until your appointment. Stick to soft foods to prevent further damage.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: If the crown is undamaged, we may be able to reseat it temporarily with dental cement before crafting a permanent solution. On the other hand, lost fillings generally need a fresh restoration. We’ll remove any decay, then place a new filling or discuss an alternative restoration if necessary.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth