We know that when an emergency with your teeth occurs and requires emergency dental care, you want a dental team you can trust. Medina Family Dental is here to help you with any emergency dental care you need. Just give us a call and we’ll find you an appointment and address your emergency as soon as possible!
Emergency appointments include x-rays and an exam. Same-day appointments are available. Emergency visits are handled during business hours only.
A tooth abscess is a collection of pus caused by a bacterial infection. The most apparent symptom is intense throbbing pain in the affected area that starts suddenly and gradually worsens. Other symptoms include sensitivity to hot or cold food and beverages and facial redness or swelling. An emergency root canal is a first-line treatment for an abscessed tooth because the infection has nearly always infiltrated the dental pulp.
Toothaches can be more than a painful nuisance—your body tells you something isn’t right in your mouth. When you experience sudden and unexplainable tooth pain, call Medina Family Dental, and we’ll fit you into our schedule.
Our qualified emergency dental team has the advanced skills and gentle touch to diagnose and treat the underlying issue. If the toothache is caused by an infected dental pulp, an emergency root canal can alleviate the pain and often save the tooth from extraction.
Sometimes, it’s obvious you cracked a tooth; for example, if you bite on something hard and part of your tooth around a filling breaks off. In other cases, a crack can be asymptomatic or produce fleeting symptoms that you may ignore. If the crack extends from the chewing surface of your tooth vertically down into the pulp, a root canal can prevent further damage.
But if the crack extends below the gum line, it’s no longer treatable and will require extraction, followed by a dental implant or bridge. Other types of damage include craze lines, fractured cusps, split teeth, and vertical root fractures.
A dislodged or knocked-out tooth should be treated within 12 to 24 hours to minimize trauma and save your tooth. If you lose a tooth due to trauma or it comes loose from infection, it’s important to be seen by your dentist as soon as possible.
A missing tooth can affect the surrounding teeth and put you at high risk for infection. Avoid food and drink and rinse with warm water to minimize pain and bleeding. To increase the chances of saving your tooth, keep it in milk or saliva until you can see our team.
Gums that won’t stop bleeding, especially if accompanied by pain and swelling, can indicate an underlying dental or health issue. Likewise, if your mouth or jaw suddenly becomes swollen for no apparent reason, call Medina Family Dental for emergency dentistry. An infection, irritation to your lymph nodes, or another severe issue could cause these symptoms and require immediate attention from a dental professional.
After a tooth extraction, a protective blood clot typically forms over the underlying bone and nerves. If the blood clot doesn’t form or gets dislodged, sensitive underlying tissue is exposed. When nerves are exposed, this can be an excruciating experience that only gets worse if you delay treatment. Call Medina Family Dental immediately to alleviate severe pain, and we’ll fit you into our schedule. Treatment involves gently rinsing and packing the socket with a medicated gauze pad. This process may need to be repeated until a blood clot forms and your pain subsides.
At Medina Family Dental, we use advanced dental technology to diagnose issues and provide the emergency dentistry you need swiftly and accurately. Our facilities and equipment adhere to the latest safety standards, including stringent sterilization protocols for your health, safety, and peace of mind. To alleviate discomfort and anxiety, we offer various types of sedation tailored to your unique needs.
We understand the stress of dealing with a dental emergency and want to ease your concerns about affordability. We offer financing options to ensure that excellent, comfortable, and accessible dental care is always available, whether for scheduled visits or unforeseen circumstances impacting your smile.
A Texas native, Dr. Herod grew up in Harlingen, made his way to Kingsville for his undergrad, then to Baylor College of Dentistry for his dental degree. For 6 years after graduation, Dr. Herod practiced further north in Tyler, but the pull to be near family and a community he loves brought him to San Antonio. Always a student at heart, Dr. Herod has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education seminars and courses since starting his first private practice in 2005. He has pursued his strong interest in restorative services, dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry, including using veneers and teeth whitening to brighten and rejuvenate smiles.
Growing up watching his parents make a positive difference in their patients’ lives was not only the driving force behind choosing to practice dentistry – but also how he practices. Great communicators, they taught him early the value of explaining, in plain language, and the many different options available to solve a wide variety of dental concerns. Using a keen eye for detail and precision, Dr. Herod is dedicated to providing patients with their best and healthiest smiles. He uses a mixture of experience and technology to create excellent results.
1313 Petersburg Street
Castroville, Texas 78009
Monday – Thursday: 8AM – 5PM
Friday – Sunday: Closed