Emergency Dentist in Fairhope, AL

Dental emergencies have a knack for showing up at the worst possible time, late at night, right before a big event, or smack-dab in the middle of a family dinner. If you’re frantically searching your phone for an “emergency dentist in Fairhope, AL,” take a deep breath. At Lagniappe Dental, we get it. Toothaches, broken teeth, lost crowns, these aren’t just frustrating; they’re unsettling. Our team is ready to step in with prompt, compassionate care when you need it most. Whether you’re in serious pain, dealing with an unexpected chip, or just worried about something not feeling “right,” pick up the phone and call our Fairhope office at (251) 517-3313. We’ll help you sort out what’s urgent, calm your nerves, and make space to see you as soon as possible. Don’t sit in pain, let us help you get back to yourself.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies aren’t always dramatic, but they nearly always demand attention sooner rather than later. Basically, anything that’s causing you severe discomfort, swelling, bleeding, or sudden changes in your teeth or gums should be evaluated right away. Some situations are pretty obvious, like if your tooth is knocked out playing backyard football, or you wake up with a cheek so swollen you barely recognize yourself. But even less noticeable issues can still be emergencies.

Examples of dental emergencies include:

• Intense, unrelenting tooth pain (the “can’t sleep, can’t think” kind)
• Swelling in your gums, face, or jaw, especially with pain or fever
• Broken, chipped, or cracked teeth (from a fall, biting something hard, etc.)
• Knocked-out (avulsed) tooth, time is crucial!
• Lost crowns, fillings, or other dental work
• Oral injuries from accidents, sports, or mishaps at home
• Bleeding you can’t seem to stop

Bottom line? If something feels off and you’re worried, we’re here for you. It’s never a bother to call, if anything, we appreciate being able to help.

Common Dental Emergencies We Treat

Severe Tooth Pain / Abscessed Tooth

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing like a toothache to ruin your day (or night). Maybe it started as a dull ache and now it’s throbbing, or the pain showed up out of nowhere and just won’t quit. Sometimes, an abscess, a pocket of infection, can cause swelling, sensitivity, and even a bit of fever. It’s one of those things you can’t “tough out.”

What you can do at home:

Try rinsing your mouth gently with warm salt water. An ice pack on your cheek can help with swelling, but skip sticking aspirin directly on the gums (trust us, it doesn’t work and can actually burn the tissue). Most of all, don’t delay, abscesses can progress faster than you think.

Knocked-Out or Broken Tooth

Accidents happen, maybe it’s a slip on the driveway, an elbow during a pickup game, or just an unfortunate encounter with a popcorn kernel. If a tooth is knocked out, that’s one of the few times dentistry suddenly feels like a race against the clock.

Here’s what helps:

• Only touch the tooth by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root
• If it’s dirty, briefly rinse it with milk (or saline, not tap water)
• Try to gently reinsert it into the socket, or keep it in milk (not water!) if possible
• Don’t wrap it in a paper towel; you want it moist, not dry
• Call us immediately

If you have a broken or chipped tooth, save any fragments, keep your mouth clean, and use a cold pack to minimize swelling.

Lost Fillings, Crowns, or Restorations

It always seems to happen at the worst time, right before a vacation, or hours before a special event. If a crown or filling comes out, the tooth underneath can feel way more sensitive.

If you have the restoration, keep it somewhere safe and bring it when you come in. Some pharmacies carry temporary dental cement, which can sometimes be used as a short-term patch, but skip the super glue or home remedies you might find on the internet.

Our priority is protecting the tooth from further damage and getting you comfortable again, fast.

Injuries to Teeth or Gums

We see it all: a child’s head colliding with your chin, a random fall, gnawing an olive pit by mistake. Oral injuries can range from cuts to teeth shifting position to more serious trauma.

What to do:

• Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze for bleeding
• Use a cold compress to address swelling or bruising
• If something just feels off, loose tooth, numbness, or wound that won't ease up, call us. There’s no harm in double-checking.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Here’s what we recommend when that “oh no” moment hits:

• Call Lagniappe Dental right away: (251) 517-3313
• Give us a clear rundown of your symptoms, don’t hold back on details
• Follow the home care instructions we provide on the phone until you get to the office
• Reserve the Emergency Room for things like nonstop bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, or severe facial trauma

FAQs About Emergency Dental Care

What is considered a dental emergency?

Dental emergencies include any situation where pain, injury, swelling, or bleeding need quick action. Think: knocked-out tooth, broken teeth, sudden swelling, oral infections, or pain that just won’t go away. If you’d drop everything to get it checked, it’s worth calling us.

Should I go to the ER for a toothache?

Most toothaches and dental injuries can (and should) be handled quickly by a dentist, not the ER. The hospital is your fallback only if you’re experiencing intense, uncontrolled bleeding, difficulty breathing, or facial trauma. For everything else, give us a ring and we’ll steer you right.

Are dental emergencies covered by insurance?

It depends; plans can vary. Some emergencies are covered like routine care, others aren’t. Our front desk team can walk you through what’s covered and what isn’t (and help you sort out the details, because, let’s face it, nobody loves decoding insurance language). Give us a call for the specifics.

Where should I go for a dental emergency?

Your first, best stop is your own local dentist. If you’re anywhere near Fairhope, we’d love to be your first call. We can see you fast and help you avoid the waiting room shuffle you’d face elsewhere.

What should I do if my tooth fell out?

Time is of the essence! Handle the tooth carefully, by the crown, not the root. If you can, lightly rinse it (no scrubbing), then try to reinsert it or store it in a cup of milk. Don’t let it dry out. And please, don’t delay, call us so we can potentially save your tooth.

Why Choose Lagniappe Dental for Emergency Dentistry in Fairhope, AL?

There are plenty of dental offices out there, but here’s the thing: at Lagniappe Dental, our priority is treating you like family, not just “another appointment.” When someone walks through our door with a dental emergency, everything on our schedule hums and adjusts so you get the help you need, fast. We don’t believe in upselling or adding to your stress; instead, we offer honest answers and workable solutions, even in a pinch.

We blend modern technology with the kind of care you remember from your favorite family member’s kitchen table, straightforward, compassionate, and never rushed. Need a crown after your emergency is handled? Curious about cosmetic options to restore confidence? We’ll walk you through it, with plenty of time to ask questions (and maybe even a few laughs if you’re up for it).

And yes, efficiency is baked into everything we do. We know your time is precious, and the last place you want to be is stuck in a waiting room when you’re hurting. That’s, in the truest sense,  our lagniappe: a little something extra, every single time.

If you’re looking for preventive dentistry, restorative crowns and bridges, or want to explore tooth extractions, we’ve got you covered there, too. Your care here doesn’t end when your emergency does.

If You Need Us, We’re Here, Just a Phone Call Away

No sense in toughing it out or trying to “wait and see.” If you need an emergency dentist in Fairhope, AL, call Lagniappe Dental at (251) 517-3313. We’ll get you out of pain and back to living your life.

Office address: 106 Lottie Lane, Fairhope, AL 36532

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm