Emergency Dental Contact Information For San Antonio Residents – Immediate Assistance Available
CALL NOW: Phone: 210-787-1200
After Hours Emergency Care: For established patients, call our office at 210-787-1200
When calling, follow the prompts, and a qualified team member will reach out to assist you with your dental emergency. We are always available to help when your child’s dental health is at risk.
Need Some Advice Before Calling?
Below are important guidelines for handling common dental emergencies. Save this information on your refrigerator or near your emergency contact numbers for quick access.
Office Hours
Monday & Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:AM – 5:00 PM
Urgent Dental Care: How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Bitten Lip / Tongue or Cuts On The Inside of Mouth or Gums
If your child bites their lip / tongue or gets a cut inside their mouth or on their gums, and you notice bleeding, first, try to calm your baby or child down. Then, gently clean the wound with water. Apply a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth) to reduce swelling. Contact our office for an evaluation and Dr. Torres DDS will diagnose the severity of the injury and determine the next steps.
Object Stuck Between Teeth
Knocked-Out Baby Tooth
- Control Bleeding: Rinse the mouth with water and apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or cloth to stop bleeding.
- Find the Tooth: If possible, locate the knocked-out tooth and handle it by the crown (not the root).
- Contact our office immediately: (ideally within 30 minutes).
- Manage Pain: Use a cold compress on the cheek to reduce swelling and give age-appropriate pain relief (e.g., acetaminophen) if needed.
- Avoid Reinsertion: Do not attempt to reinsert a baby tooth, as it may damage the developing permanent tooth.
- Note: Baby teeth are not typically reimplanted, but Dr. Torres DDS should evaluate for damage to surrounding teeth or gums. Seek professional care with our office ASAP.
Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth
- Control Bleeding: Rinse the mouth with water and apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or cloth to stop bleeding.
- Find the Tooth: If possible, locate the knocked-out tooth and handle it by the crown (not the root).
- Preserve the Tooth: Place the tooth in milk, saline solution, or the child’s saliva (e.g., in their cheek) to keep it moist. Do not store in plain water.
- Contact our office immediately: (ideally within 30 minutes).
- Manage Pain: Use a cold compress on the cheek to reduce swelling and give age-appropriate pain relief (e.g., acetaminophen) if needed.
- Avoid Reinsertion: Do not attempt to reinsert a tooth, as it may damage gums or surrounding tissue.
- Seek professional care with our office ASAP.
Chipped or Fractured Permanent Tooth
If your child fractures or chips a permanent tooth, rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress. Contact us immediately for an evaluation. Save any tooth fragments to bring to your appointment. Our team can also give you advice on mouthguards for use in sports or other activities that have risks of mouth injuries.
Loose Tooth
If your child has a very loose tooth, it’s best to remove it to prevent it from being accidentally swallowed or inhaled. Monitor your child closely in this situation to ensure that they don’t accidentally choke on a tooth that has dislodged from their gums.
Toothache Relief
For a toothache, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water and inspect for any debris. If the pain persists, apply a cold compress. Do not apply aspirin or topical pain relievers directly to the gums as this can cause irritation. Children’s pain relievers can be used orally. Schedule an appointment immediately to address the issue.
Broken Jaw
If your child may have a broken jaw, use a cold compress to reduce swelling and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital emergency room.
Severe Blow to the Head
If your child experiences a serious blow to the head, take them to the nearest hospital emergency room immediately, as this may indicate a head injury that could require urgent medical attention.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies in Children Preventing
- Child-proof your home to reduce the risk of falls.
- Avoid letting your child chew on hard foods, like ice, popcorn kernels, or candy.
- Always use car seats for young children and seatbelts for older children.
- If your child participates in contact sports, ensure they wear a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth.
- Encourage regular brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups to prevent toothaches and other dental issues.
- If your child is active in sports or frequent outdoor play, we highly encourage the use of custom mouthguards to protect their teeth. Our team can give you advice at your next appointment.
For more information about preventing dental injuries or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 210-787-1200 today!
