When Tooth Pain Strikes in San Antonio, Here Is What to Do
Dental pain does not wait for a convenient time. A cracked tooth at dinner, a throbbing abscess at midnight, a crown that falls out before a meeting. When you need an emergency dentist in San Antonio TX, the first question is always the same: who do I call and how fast can I get in? Patients from Westover Hills and the Dominion area call Fountain of Youth Dental on Medical Dr because Dr. Cappetta, DDS, has been treating dental emergencies in San Antonio since 1985. Not a rotating associate at a triage clinic. The same doctor who already knows your dental history.
Fountain of Youth Dental sees emergency patients by same-day appointment during office hours, Monday through Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 10am to 2pm. If you are in pain, call the office and the team will get you in as quickly as possible. For after-hours emergencies, call and leave a message for next-day scheduling. For swelling spreading to your face, jaw, or neck, uncontrolled bleeding, or any symptom affecting your airway or ability to swallow, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Emergency Room or Emergency Dentist: How to Decide
Knowing where to go saves time and money. The emergency room handles life-threatening situations but is not equipped to treat dental problems beyond prescribing antibiotics and pain medication. They cannot perform a root canal, place a crown, or extract a tooth. A dental emergency that is not life-threatening belongs in a dental office, not an ER.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you experience any of the following: inability to swallow or breathe, severe swelling spreading to the neck or face below the eye, uncontrolled bleeding that will not stop with pressure, a jaw fracture or head trauma with loss of consciousness, or a high fever combined with facial swelling. Everything else, including severe toothaches, broken teeth, lost crowns, knocked-out teeth, and dental abscesses without spreading swelling, belongs at Fountain of Youth Dental. Call the office and Dr. Cappetta will determine the fastest path to getting you out of pain.
What to Do Before You Come In
The steps you take in the first 15 to 30 minutes can make a significant difference in the outcome of your treatment. Here are some tips and what to do for the most common dental emergencies before you arrive.
Knocked-out permanent tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown only. Do not touch the root. Rinse it gently with water without scrubbing. If possible, reinsert it into the socket and hold it there gently. If you cannot do that, place it in a small container of cold milk or between your cheek and gum to keep it moist. Call immediately. A tooth replanted within 30 minutes has the best chance of survival. Time is the critical factor.
Broken or cracked tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Apply gentle pressure with gauze if there is bleeding. Place a cold compress on the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling. Bring any broken tooth fragments to the appointment in a clean container.
Lost crown or filling. Do not leave the tooth exposed if you can help it. Temporary dental cement is available at most pharmacies and can cover the tooth until your appointment. Avoid chewing on that side. Do not use super glue.
Dental abscess. An abscess is a bacterial infection and it will not resolve on its own. Rinse gently with warm salt water to reduce discomfort. Do not put aspirin directly on the gum tissue. Call the office immediately. If swelling is spreading visibly to your face, jaw, or neck, go to the emergency room first. A spreading abscess can become life-threatening without prompt treatment.
Severe toothache. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever appropriate for your medical history. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek. Do not place aspirin or clove oil directly on the gum tissue. Call and get scheduled.
