Dental Emergencies

After Hours Emergency Number: (210) 422-7310

What To Do In A Dental Emergency In San Antonio

San Antonio dentist Dr. Gregory R. Bowen helps patients with dental emergencies

Dental emergencies aren’t planned and never come at a good time. San Antonio emergency-dentistdentist Dr. Gregory R. Bowen takes dental emergencies seriously, and makes every attempt to be there when you need his help.

Dental emergencies also don’t come with a set of instructions on what to do, who to contact, or what is to be expected. Any dental emergency such as injury to your teeth or gums can potentially be serious. Do not ignore these problems as they can increase the risk of permanent damage, more extensive treatment and even more cost.

For dental emergencies in San Antonio, Texas please call Dr. Gregory R. Bowen.

After Hours Emergency Number: (210) 422-7310

Dr. Bowen will see you the same day for emergencies, even if it’s a weekend or holiday.


Dr. Gregory R. Bowen’s instructions for common dental problems in San Antonio, Texas:

  • Toothache –  Rinse your mouth with warm water. If your mouth is swollen, apply a cold compress to your cheek. Check to make sure there is nothing stuck between the teeth by gently using floss. Do not put anything on the teeth or gums and call your dentist as soon as possible.
  • Chipped or Broken Teeth – Save any pieces if possible. Rinse your mouth with warm water. If you have bleeding, gently press a piece of clean gauze and hold for about 10 minutes until the bleeding stops. Apply cold compress to your cheek or lip area to prevent swelling and call your dentist as soon as possible.
  • Knocked-out Teeth – Try to retrieve the tooth and rinse it gently with warm water. Do not scrub the tooth. Keep any attached tissue in place. You may attempt to place the tooth back in place, but do not force it. If it will not go back in, place the tooth/teeth in a small container of milk. See your dentist ASAP. Most successful replants occur within 1 hour of being knocked out.
  • Loose or Partially Dislodged Teeth – Call your dentist as soon as you can. He/she will recommend appropriate treatment and/or pain medication.
  • Something Caught Between Teeth – Try using dental floss to remove the object. Do not attempt removal with anything sharp. Call your dentist who can help dislodge the stuck object.
  • Lost Filling – Call your dentist for an appointment to fix the lost filling.
  • Crown Fell Off – Call your dentist for an appointment 210-824-1482. Clean and store the crown in a plastic bag. You can attempt to place the crown back on using a temporary coat of denture adhesive or toothpaste, but do not use dental cement or any type of glue.
  • Tooth Abscess – These are infections that usually occur around the root of the tooth or in the space between the teeth and gums. They’re painful, and usually indicate a serious condition that can damage the tissue and even the surrounding teeth. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body. Salt-water rinse (1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz water) can help reduce the pain and encourage drainage. Call your dentist as soon as possible to have the infection treated.
  • Injuries to Tongue, Cheeks, Gums and Lips – These are known as “soft tissue” injuries. These types of injuries almost always involve bleeding. To control the bleeding, first rinse your mouth with a salt-water rinse (1/2 tsp salt in 8 oz water). Apply pressure with a piece of gauze for 10-20 minutes, then follow with a cold compress to your mouth, lip or cheek for 5-10 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop after this, call your dentist. If the bleeding is severe, seek appropriate medical treatment such as a hospital emergency room or emergency medical clinic.