For people in Clearwater, FL, the need for urgent dental care is likely to present itself, so it’s best to be prepared. The CDC reports that nationwide, dental emergencies result in 34 million hours of missing school time and over $45 billion in lost productivity.
The good news is that emergency dentist Dr. Earl Santos and his team at Causeway Dentistry are ready to see you and promptly resolve your problem. We understand that emergencies are unexpected, and we always leave openings in our schedule to offer same-day emergency dentistry when needed.
If you have any urgent situation with your oral health, we encourage you to call our Clearwater, FL, dental office at (727) 791-1450.
Most dental problems that become emergencies have one aspect in common: pain. The level of that pain is one factor that will determine the urgency of your situation. While each person has a different pain threshold, you also should note that pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
When that pain’s intensity grows to interrupt your normal daily routine, then your body is practically exclaiming that it needs immediate attention. So when you call us, our first goal will be to relieve your pain and uncover its causes.
Yes! At Causeway Dentistry, we know how upsetting and painful a dental emergency can be. Because we don’t want you to have to wait for relief, we are pleased to offer same-day emergency dentist appointments at our Clearwater, FL dental office.
We always try to accommodate patients same day who can’t wait for treatment. If you experience a dental emergency, please call us at (727) 791-1450. We will see you soon to relieve your pain and discuss a treatment plan going forward to address your problem.
Because we often have a schedule filled with other patients, we may not be able to complete your treatment that day. If we can’t, Dr. Santos will relieve your pain and stabilize the situation to protect your oral health until our next appointment when we can provide full treatment.
Dental emergencies are common, but we’re prepared for them even if you’re not! If you experience any of the following—or something not listed here—please call us, and we’ll arrange to see you as soon as possible:
Dental emergencies don’t go away on their own, and it’s always better to seek treatment before the situation worsens. If you are in pain or have another urgent problem, please call Causeway Dentistry at (727) 791-1450, so we can help you.
Yes, an emergency dentist can prescribe painkillers if necessary. When patients visit for severe tooth pain, infections, or dental trauma, the dentist may recommend medication to manage discomfort until long-term treatment is completed. If an infection is present, the dentist may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent it from worsening.
Most emergency dentists prefer non-opioid options like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which effectively reduce pain and inflammation. However, if the pain is severe and unresponsive to these solutions, a dentist may prescribe a short course of stronger medication, like codeine. As they must follow stringent regulations when prescribing opioids, an emergency dentist will only prescribe them when absolutely necessary.
Painkillers alone are not a long-term solution. Even when discomfort is suppressed, the underlying issue—whether a cavity, abscess, or fracture—remains and must be treated for full and sustained relief. After all, an emergency dentist’s goal is to resolve the root cause of pain using safe, appropriate methods.
Patients experiencing severe or persistent pain should always seek prompt emergency care rather than relying on medication alone. Delaying treatment can lead to worsening infections and more extensive and invasive procedures.
If you’re in Clearwater and looking for an experienced dental team for immediate care or just want to be prepared before an emergency strikes, contact Dr. Earl Santos and the excellent Causeway Dentistry team to schedule an appointment!
Most emergency rooms (ERs) do not perform tooth extractions, even for infected teeth. Only a qualified dentist or oral surgeon can remove an infected tooth, perform a root canal, or drain an abscess. Of course, if you have severe swelling, difficulty breathing, or a high fever, go to the ER immediately, as these could indicate a systemic infection. Otherwise, contact an emergency dentist for the best course of action.
While they can provide pain relief and temporary solutions, ER doctors aren’t dentists and are thus neither trained nor equipped for dental procedures. If you visit the ER with a severe toothache, abscess, or infection, they may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication to manage symptoms until you can see a dentist.
In rare cases, if a life-threatening infection (like a spreading abscess) is present, the ER may involve an oral surgeon or refer the patient for immediate dental care. However, most patients will be advised to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
If you’re in Clearwater and looking for an expert emergency dentist for immediate care, or are simply preparing just in case, contact Dr. Earl Santos and the caring and helpful Causeway Dentistry team to schedule an appointment!
Our helpful dental team is always available and will tell you if we need to see you the same day. If not, we will schedule you for our next open appointment.
Depending on your emergency, we may be unable to complete treatment on the same day. If this is the case, rest assured that Dr. Santos will relieve your pain. We will then schedule you for comprehensive treatment as soon as possible.
Our team recognizes that numerous conditions may rise to the level of a dental emergency. Among those situations are:
If you are experiencing any of these issues, we advise you to call Causeway Dentistry, even if you’re not sure it’s an emergency. We can ask the right questions that help us narrow down your potential problems and then advise you on a practical course of action.
Dr. Earl Santos was born in Tacloban City, Philippines, and grew up in northeast Pennsylvania. His career in Florida began when he graduated from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Dental Medicine ..
When presented with a potential dental emergency, here is a quick reference, what-to-do check-list:
To help you figure out better what you need, here is a guide to significant dental emergencies:
Symptoms: sharp pain localized to one tooth, swollen and tender gums around that tooth
Response: Place a cold compress on your face over the affected tooth for 20-minute intervals to control pain and swelling. For pain relief, take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever that works best and is safest for you. Popular choices are Acetaminophen (Tylenol®), Ibuprofen (Advil®), or Naproxen-Sodium (Aleve®).
Symptoms: an obviously fractured tooth, missing pieces, chips, etc.
Response: Gather up any tooth fragments and wrap them in a tissue. A broken tooth may not be an urgent emergency except in circumstances of severe pain, where the fragments cut your cheeks, tongue, or gums, and if the tooth is broken off at or below the gum line.
Symptoms: deep, dull pain localized towards the back of your mouth, intense jaw pain, headaches, swelling
Response: Use a cold compress and take your favored OTC pain remedy for both relief and to control swelling. Call us immediately, as an impacted wisdom tooth will only worsen.
Symptoms: pain, heat, and swelling in one area, small bump on gums, sour taste in the mouth, and general fever
Response: An infected tooth or gum infection can cause related severe health problems as an advanced oral infection has easy access to the rest of your body. Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash or warm salt water, and call us right away.
Symptoms: along with deep, dull pain and inflammation, heat near the area, and possible fever
Response: Jaw pain and swelling can indicate an infected or abscessed tooth requiring prompt treatment. Use a cold compress to control swelling and take an OTC pain reliever.
Symptoms: same as the condition
Response: While minor bleeding while you brush or floss is not an emergency, it still indicates gum disease, which we can cure when caught early. However, if painful swelling and bleeding are pervasive, you may have advanced gum disease, which should be treated immediately to avoid tooth loss.
Symptoms: severe socket pain, missing blood clot which exposes bone, jaw pain, and swelling
Response: If after having a tooth pulled, your socket becomes exposed, you can suffer pain and potential bacteria infection. We recommend you call right away for more instructions.
Symptoms: tooth has come out of its socket intact
Response: When you completely knock out a tooth, time is of the essence. Dr. Santos can save your tooth if you act fast. Call us first or have a friend call so we can prepare for your arrival.
Follow these instructions carefully:
Call right away, as you have an hour or so for the best chance to save your tooth!
They say dental pain is some of the worst pain imaginable! If you’re experiencing tooth pain, contact your dentist, as you may
A complete tooth break is a dental emergency. But a chip or crack can often wait until the next available
Dental emergencies can arise unexpectedly and require prompt attention. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden injury or an escalating issue,
If you are in pain or have some of the conditions above which could require urgent dental care, please call us at (727) 791-1450, and we will arrange to see you, relieve your pain and solve your dental emergency as soon as possible.
