Emergency Dental Services in Springfield, MO
Dental emergencies happen—and they usually occur at the most inopportune times.
During a dental emergency, the sooner you can see a dentist, the better. We do our best to work emergency dental patients into our existing schedules on the very same day when possible. We try our hardest to be available to treat dental emergencies in Springfield, MO whenever possible.
If you are in pain because of a toothache or injury, or if you have had a tooth knocked loose or completely out, don’t hesitate to call White Smiles Family Dental at (417) 887-6882.
- How Can I Tell if My Problem Is a Dental Emergency?
- Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?
- What Steps Should I Take with a Dental Emergency?
- How Can I Prevent Dental Emergencies?
- What If I Need to See the Dentist Right Away?
How Can I Tell if My Problem Is a Dental Emergency?
One of the most common dental emergencies we see in our Springfield, MO dental office is a toothache that has gone from mild to intolerable over a short period of time. In most cases, the reason for the pain is an infection that has developed in the tooth root, which requires a root canal to resolve. Other reasons for a toothache include a lost filling or an abscess.
If you have suffered dental trauma in an auto accident or from a blow to the mouth, you might need immediate care if a tooth has broken or been knocked out of its socket. The sooner you can be seen, the better the chances of saving your tooth.
When a tooth has been knocked out, you can try to reinsert it gently and hold it there with your tongue. If you have to force it, or it doesn't stay in place, you can also place the tooth between your gum and cheek, and take care not to swallow it. Keep it there until you can get to the dentist.
A lost filling or crown usually doesn't fall under the “emergency” category, and you can probably wait to be seen until the next available appointment.
If you are not sure if your condition is considered a true dental emergency, you can always call our Springfield, MO dentists at (417) 887-6882 and speak with a member of our treatment team.
Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency?
It depends on how bad the crack is. In some cases, a simple filling might be enough to repair the tooth. In others, a crown might be the best course. If the crack is more serious, you might need a root canal or—as a last resort—an extraction. In most cases, however, cracked teeth can easily be fixed by placing a crown on the tooth to cover and protect the tooth from further damage.
If you notice a crack in your tooth, call our emergency dentist in Springfield, MO, and be sure to come and see us right away. If it doesn’t hurt, it might be tempting to put off treatment until the tooth is bothering you. But waiting until the tooth starts causing you pain usually results in an increased number of dental appointments and more expensive to repair the tooth. The earlier we treat the cracked tooth, the better.
Sometimes you might not notice the crack in your tooth until it starts causing trouble. This is just one of the many reasons why it’s so important to stay current with trips to the dentist every six months for exams and cleanings. Even the tiniest crack will be detected with our advanced technology so you can get the treatment you need. If you've got more questions about cracked teeth, call our Springfield dental office today!
What Steps Should I Take with a Dental Emergency in Springfield, MO?
It can be hard to think straight when you are in the middle of an emergency. But depending on the situation, there are critical actions you can take to protect your oral health. Your Springfield, MO dentist wants to share three steps you can take to protect your oral health and keep you comfortable until you can get to our office for treatment.
- Toothache – This is the most common emergency and needs to be dealt with right away. Toothaches are not normal, and they always indicate that something serious is happening that needs addressing. Try an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen and place a cold compress on and off your face for 20-minute intervals.
- Broken Tooth – It’s pretty disconcerting to hold broken pieces of your tooth in your hand! If you break a tooth, gather up all the pieces and keep them in a safe place until you get to your dentist's office. The solution depends on the extent of the damage, but it is always best to make an appointment immediately for the best outcomes.
- Knocked-Out Tooth – If you or your child get a tooth knocked out, getting immediate treatment is critical. We may be able to place the tooth back in its socket, but we only have a window of a few hours for it to be successful. Call your Springfield, MO emergency dentist immediately. Do not touch the root or disturb any attached tissue. Handle the tooth by the crown and keep it moist in a container of milk, water, or even saliva until you get to your dentist’s office.
Always call your dentist if you can to let them know what's going on. You don't always know what constitutes an oral health emergency, but your dental care team does. Spare yourself worry and discomfort by calling Dr. White right away.
If you have suffered trauma and think your jaw might be broken or you are bleeding, and you cannot get it to stop, head straight to the nearest emergency room.
How Can I Prevent Dental Emergencies?
Would it surprise you to know that there are simple steps you can take to avoid the majority of dental emergencies?
>Most dental emergencies occur when you skip routine appointments for exams and teeth cleanings. People often avoid going to the dentist out of fear or because it doesn’t fit into their 
busy schedule. The result is a small issue like a cavity that could have been detected and fixed during a preventive care visit can escalate into a painful tooth infection that needs a root canal. This is a perfect example of how being pro-active with your oral health can save you missed days from work or costly dental treatment.
There's no question that routine preventive care is the best way to avoid dental emergencies. If you have a dental emergency in Springfield, MO, call our dental office as soon as possible!
What If I Need to See the Dentist Right Away in the 65804 Area?
If you are in pain, we will make your emergency a priority. We plan our schedule to allow time for emergency appointments, so we can usually arrange to see you the same day to provide relief.
Better yet, schedule a routine checkup — especially if it’s been a while since your last dental appointment. You’ll find that our friendly and experienced staff are not there to make judgments; they only want to help you get on the path to better oral health. Contact us today
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how bad the crack is. In some cases, a simple dental filling might be enough to repair the tooth. In others, a crown might be indicated. If the crack is more serious, you might need root canal therapy or—as a last resort—a tooth extraction. In most cases, however, cracked teeth can easily be fixed by placing a crown on the tooth to cover and protect the tooth from further damage.
If you notice a crack in your tooth, be sure to come and see our emergency dentist in Springfield. If it doesn’t hurt, it might be tempting to put off treatment until the tooth is bothering you. But waiting until the tooth starts causing you pain usually results in an increased number of dental appointments and more expense to repair the tooth. The earlier we treat the cracked tooth, the better.
Visit Your Springfield, MO Emergency Dentist
Sometimes you might not notice the crack in your tooth until it starts causing trouble. This is just one of the many reasons why it’s so important to stay current with trips to the dentist twice each year for examinations and cleanings. Even the tiniest crack will be detected with our advanced technology so you can get the treatment you need. If you've got more questions about cracked teeth, call our Springfield dental office today!
Dental emergencies can be scary and stressful, especially when you're not sure what to do. The good news is that Drs. Shannon and Preston White are the emergency dentists in Springfield, MO that patients trust. Your team at White Smiles Famly Dental is here for you when you need us most.
Emergency Dental Care in Springfield, MO
Some of the dental emergencies we are well-equipped to handle are:
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Dental pain or tooth infections
- Damaged or lost dental restorations like fillings or crowns
- Soft tissue injuries
While some of these conditions may not require immediate attention, we encourage patients to call us for guidance over the phone on scheduling and handling their condition until they can visit our Springfield dental office.
We also advise patients to call us first before heading to a hospital emergency room. Unfortunately, hospitals are not typically equipped to handle tooth emergencies, and you could save valuable time and money by calling us first.
Contact White Smiles Family Dental ASAP!
If you have suffered a dental emergency near Springfield, MO our emergency dentist is here to help! Give White Smile Family Dental a call immediately at (417) 887-6882 if you think you need emergency dental care.
Dental emergencies are often scary—they come out of nowhere, and you may not know where to turn. Many patients may head straight to the emergency room, but this can be a timely (and costly) mistake if time is of the essence. Few emergency rooms have a dentist on staff and—outside of a head injury or uncontrollable bleeding—they may be unable to help much.
When you are experiencing a dental emergency near Springfield, MO, it's essential to stay calm and not panic. Don't hesitate to contact our emergency dentist right away so we can offer guidance on how to handle your emergency until we can see you.
Springfield emergency dentist, Dr. Preston White, will conduct a comprehensive dental exam along with digital x-rays to determine the source of your pain.
If you are an existing patient, you may feel relief seeing familiar, friendly faces in our convenient dental location. We work hard to see our patients on the same day, even on weekends or holidays.
Whether you're suffering from severe tooth pain, a knocked-out or fractured tooth, or a loose dental crown, we're here to make you comfortable and fix your oral health so you can get back to your life as soon as possible.
Common Dental Emergencies near 65804
At White Smiles Family Dental, we commonly see broken or chipped tooth, inflammation in the gums, infection, abscesses, missing dental crowns or fillings, or a knocked-out tooth.
Not all dental emergencies are painful or bloody; only you know if something is unusual with your oral health. Dental pain is usually the beginning of a significant dental problem, and the longer it goes untreated, the harder it can be to save your tooth.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, do not wait to contact White Smiles Family Dental—do it right away!
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Preston White
Dr. Preston White grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas, before graduating from Wichita State University in 2007. In 2012, Dr. Preston graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry with many honors, including high honors in Oral Surgery. Dedicated to his education, Dr. Preston graduated Magna Cum Laude from dental school.
After completion of his four-year dental degree, Dr. Preston received additional training in advanced and specialized dental procedures such as complex root canal therapy, surgical extractions, implant placement and restoration, fixed and removable prosthodontics, and pediatric dentistry in ...
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