Dental emergencies are painful, stressful, and often happen at the worst possible time. At Andover Family Dentistry in Andover, KS, Dr. Howell provides same-day emergency appointments to address your pain, treat the problem, and get you back to normal as quickly as possible.
Whether you’ve cracked a tooth, developed a severe infection, or experienced dental trauma, we’re here to help when you need us most.
Same-Day Emergency Exams & Pain Relief
When you’re in pain, waiting isn’t an option. We reserve time in our schedule for dental emergencies and make every effort to see you the same day you call.
During your emergency visit, Dr. Howell will examine the affected tooth, take x-rays to assess the damage, provide immediate pain relief, and discuss treatment options. Our priority is to stop your pain and stabilize the situation.
Treatment For Cracked, Broken, & Knocked-Out Teeth
Cracked or broken teeth can often be repaired with bonding, a crown, or a veneer depending on the severity. If the crack extends into the root, you may need root canal therapy.
Knocked-out teeth require immediate action. If you can find the tooth, handle it by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently, and try to place it back in the socket. If that’s not possible, keep it in milk or saliva and get to our office immediately. The sooner we can reimplant the tooth, the better the chance of saving it.
Emergency Tooth Infections & Abscess Care
Tooth infections and abscesses are serious emergencies that require immediate treatment. An abscess is a pocket of pus caused by bacterial infection, and it can cause severe pain, swelling, fever, and a bad taste in your mouth.
Left untreated, tooth infections can spread to other parts of your body. Dr. Howell will drain the abscess, prescribe antibiotics, and perform root canal therapy or extraction to address the source of the infection.
What To Do Before You Get To Our Office
If you experience a dental emergency, call our office immediately.
Before your appointment:
- For severe pain: Rinse with warm salt water and take over-the-counter pain relievers.
- For a knocked-out tooth: Keep it moist in milk or saliva and get to our office within 30 minutes if possible.
- For a broken tooth: Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress. Save any pieces you can find.
- For bleeding: Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze for 10 to 15 minutes.
When To Seek Immediate Care
Not every dental issue is an emergency, but some situations require urgent attention.
Seek immediate care if you experience:
- Severe, persistent tooth pain
- Swelling in your face, jaw, or gums
- A knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- A broken or cracked tooth causing sharp pain
- Signs of infection, like fever, swelling, or pus
If you’re unsure whether your situation is an emergency, call us. We’ll help you determine the best course of action.
Preventing Future Emergencies
While not all dental emergencies can be prevented, many can be avoided with proper care.
To reduce your risk:
- Wear a mouthguard during sports
- Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, or other hard objects
- Don’t use your teeth as tools
- Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent decay and infections
- Visit us regularly for checkups to catch problems early
We're Here When You Need Us
At Andover Family Dentistry, we understand that dental emergencies are stressful and painful. Dr. Howell and our team provide prompt, compassionate care to relieve your pain and restore your oral health.
Call our Andover, KS office immediately if you’re experiencing a dental emergency. We’ll get you in as quickly as possible and provide the treatment you need to feel better fast.