Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have: swelling that is spreading to your eye, neck or throat; trouble breathing or swallowing; a high fever with facial swelling; bleeding that won't stop with firm pressure; or a jaw injury after an accident. These can be serious and need hospital care first.
How emergency visits work
- Call us firstPhone (512) 910-3456 as early in the day as you can. Tell us what happened and how much pain you're in so we can find the right slot.
- Get seen the same dayWe hold time in the schedule every weekday for urgent cases, for new and existing patients alike.
- Relief firstDr. Afiya Tamkeen, DDS examines the area, takes an X-ray if needed, and focuses on getting you out of pain.
- A clear planIf you need more treatment, we explain your options and costs before anything else is done.
What to do until you get here
Knocked-out adult tooth
Time matters most here. Try to be seen within an hour.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown (the white part), not the root.
- If it's dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water. Don't scrub it.
- If you can, gently push it back into the socket and bite on a clean cloth to hold it.
- If that's not possible, keep it in a small container of milk or inside your cheek, and call us immediately.
Don't try to put a baby tooth back in. Call us and we'll advise you.
Toothache
- Rinse with warm water and floss gently to remove anything caught between teeth.
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label.
- Hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek, 20 minutes on and 20 off.
- Don't put aspirin directly on the tooth or gums, because it can burn the tissue.
Broken or chipped tooth
- Rinse with warm water and save any pieces you can find.
- Use a cold compress to keep swelling down.
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
Lost filling or crown
- Keep the crown if you have it and bring it with you.
- Over-the-counter temporary dental cement from a pharmacy can protect the tooth for a short time.
- Avoid chewing on that side until you've been seen.
Swelling or a possible abscess
Swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, or a bad taste that won't go away can mean an infection. Call us the same day. Infections don't go away on their own, and they can spread. If swelling is spreading quickly or affects breathing or swallowing, go to the ER.
Outside office hours
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm, with Saturday visits by appointment. If a dental problem happens on a weekend or overnight, use the steps above to stay comfortable and call us as soon as we open. For any of the warning signs in the red box at the top of this page, don't wait. Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Serving Round Rock and nearby communities
Our office is in the medical park at 15930 S Great Oaks Dr, Suite A100, in Round Rock (78681), with easy access for patients from Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto and north Austin. Get directions →