In pain? Start here
Emergency Dentist in Houston
We keep room for emergencies during office hours. Call now and we’ll tell you exactly what to do next — and get you seen, usually the same or next day.
What counts as a dental emergency
If you’re in pain, something is broken, or something doesn’t look right — call. You don’t need to be sure it’s an emergency; that’s our job. The problems below should never wait for a convenient time:
- A toothache that keeps you up at night or doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
- A knocked-out, loosened or badly chipped tooth
- Swelling in your gums, face or jaw — a possible abscess
- A lost or broken crown, bridge or filling
- Bleeding that won’t stop after an extraction or injury
- A broken denture or implant restoration you rely on
What happens when you call
Tell us what happened and where it hurts. We’ll give you clear first-aid guidance over the phone — what to rinse with, whether to save the tooth in milk, what to take for the pain — and get you into the schedule, usually the same or next day. Emergency patients are worked into office hours every week; it’s part of how the practice runs, not an exception we make.
When you arrive, the first priority is getting you out of pain. Then Dr. Basil will find the cause, explain your options in plain language, and — if more treatment is needed — plan it properly rather than patching over a problem that will come back.
Anxious about emergency treatment on top of the pain? Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are available.
How same-day emergencies work here
Call first — (713) 715-7354 — and tell us what happened. You’ll get immediate guidance for the next hour (what to do with a knocked-out tooth, how to manage swelling or bleeding) and a same-day time when the situation calls for one; we hold room in the schedule for exactly this. The emergency visit itself is focused: a targeted exam and imaging of the problem, pain handled first, and the situation stabilized. Diagnosis before drama, relief before paperwork.
After the emergency
Once you’re comfortable, we talk about the definitive fix — sometimes completed the same day, sometimes scheduled once the area settles — with honest options and written costs, never pressure in a vulnerable moment. And if it’s been years since you’ve seen a dentist, you won’t hear a word about it: an emergency is how many of our long-term patients first found us. We’d rather be the reason your next emergency never happens.
Until you get here
Common emergencies, first steps
Knocked-out tooth
Time matters most here. Pick the tooth up by the crown — never the root — rinse it gently without scrubbing, and if you can, place it back in the socket and bite gently on gauze. If not, keep it in milk and call us immediately. A tooth replanted within the hour has the best chance of being saved.
Severe toothache
Rinse with warm salt water and use over-the-counter pain relief as directed. Don’t put aspirin against the gum — it burns the tissue. A toothache that wakes you at night usually means the nerve is involved, and that won’t resolve on its own. Call us.
Chipped or broken tooth
Rinse your mouth, save any pieces, and cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax if it’s cutting your tongue or cheek. Even a painless chip should be seen — a crack that reaches the nerve gets much harder to fix.
Swelling or abscess
Swelling in the face or jaw is an infection until proven otherwise, and infections near the airway can become serious quickly. Call us right away. If swelling is spreading rapidly or affecting your breathing or swallowing, go straight to the emergency room.
Lost crown or filling
Keep the crown if you have it. Avoid chewing on that side and keep the area clean. Over-the-counter dental cement can protect the tooth for a day or two, but the tooth underneath is exposed and needs proper attention soon.
Don’t wait out dental pain
Call now — we’ll tell you what to do next and get you seen.