Emergency Dentistry – Dallas, TX

Effective Help without the Wait

If you have a severe toothache or dental injury, you shouldn’t wait to visit the dentist. Ideally, you should receive professional care right away, and we’re ready to hold up our side of that bargain by offering same-day emergency dentistry. Just give us a call, explain your situation, and we’ll schedule an appointment right away so we can relieve your pain without delay. Even if you aren’t sure you have an emergency, go ahead and give us a call—we’re more than eager to help with emergency dentistry in Dallas, TX.

Why Choose Skillman Family Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certified
  • Dental Insurance & Medicaid Welcomed

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Person in pain before emergency dentistry
  • Initial Call: Over the phone, describe your symptoms the best you can, and we’ll let you know if you need professional care right away. If so, we’ll schedule an appointment as soon as possible, preferably the same day.
  • Emergency Exam: Once you arrive, our team will examine your mouth and take X-rays so we fully understand the problem.
  • Treatment Discussion: We’ll go over all the ways we can address your problem, including cost information, so you can choose what works best for you.
  • Relief: Based on your conversation with our team, we’ll stop your pain and make any repairs possible. For more extensive issues, we may ask you to come back for a follow-up appointment.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

What qualifies as a dental emergency? Lots of things! Thankfully, you don’t need to determine whether or not your situation “counts”…that’s our job! Below, you’ll find a list of emergencies we treat all the time, and if any of the situations apply to you, be sure to give us a call.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency?

There are numerous reasons why you could be experiencing a toothache. It may be the result of something minor, or it could be a more problematic issue that needs to be addressed right away. If you have a toothache that’s sharp, throbbing, or accompanied by a small, pimple-like bump on the gums, you should schedule a visit with us right away.

How you should handle a toothache:

If you have a toothache, begin by rinsing your mouth with water and flossing around the tooth. You may want to swish some salt water around your mouth to disinfect that area and reduce inflammation. To numb any soreness, try using an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed and apply a cold compress. Give us a call to schedule your appointment.

How we treat toothaches:

Before we can treat your toothache, we need to find out why you are experiencing pain. In many cases, a toothache can be treated with a filling or dental crown. In more severe situations, gum disease therapy, root canal therapy, or an extraction may be necessary. We will determine the best way to treat your smile when you visit our practice.

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy Learn More About Tooth Extractions Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?

Chipped teeth aren’t usually a dental emergency, but you should still schedule an appointment within a few days. Even if your chip is small and not very noticeable, if you leave it without treatment, you could endure additional damage.

How you should handle a chipped tooth:

Start by rinsing your mouth out with water. Collect larger pieces of your teeth if you can. When you come to the dental practice, bring them with you. In the meantime, avoid chewing on the side of your mouth where the chip is located. If your tooth is sharp or jagged, apply some dental wax so you don’t accidentally cut your lip or cheek. You can find this in the dental section of your local drugstore.

How we treat chipped teeth:

Chipped teeth can often be repaired with dental bonding in a single appointment. However, if your chip is large, you may want to consider and longer-lasting option, like a dental crown.

Learn More About Dental Bonding Learn More About Dental Crowns

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?

Cracked teeth can be very painful, and they leave your smile vulnerable to bacteria. In some cases, it can be difficult to see cracks in your teeth. If you notice that you have increased sensitivity or discomfort after biting down on something hard or taking a blow to the face, you may have cracked one or more of your teeth, so you should see treatment as soon as you are able.

How you should handle a cracked tooth:

You should begin by rinsing your mouth with water. This helps to keep the area clean until you can receive treatment. Next, give us a call to schedule an emergency visit. If you notice swelling or are experiencing pain, this can be lessened with a cold compress and/or an over-the-counter pain medication.

How we treat cracked teeth: The treatment we use for cracked teeth depends on how badly the tooth has been damaged. Minor cracks can sometimes be resolved with dental bonding, but more serious ones may require a tooth extraction. Many times, cracked teeth can be treated by concealing them with dental crowns.

Learn More About Dental Bonding Learn More About Dental Crowns Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? From exposed tooth roots to enamel erosion, there are many reasons why sensitivity may occur. Although mild cases are not urgent, you should make an emergency appointment with our team if your sensitivity:

  • Becomes painful
  • Lasts multiple consecutive days
  • Only impacts one to two teeth

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Call our office and explain your symptoms. An experienced team member will provide first-aid instructions to help you manage your situation at home. We usually recommend drinking lukewarm water, avoiding spicy or acidic foods, and taking over-the-counter pain medication as needed.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: The best treatment method for your smile will depend on the underlying cause. If you have weakened or eroded enamel, you may benefit from desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, or topical fluoride therapy. But if you have gum disease or a tooth infection, you could benefit from antibiotics and gum disease treatment.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes! If you want the best chance of saving your smile, you need to act as quickly as possible. Make arrangements to visit our office within one or two hours of the initial trauma. The sooner you get to me, the more likely we’ll be able to have your tooth reimplanted.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Recover the tooth immediately. Pick it up by the chewing end in order to protect the still-living cells on the roots. If possible, put it back in its socket or save it in a container filled with milk or a saltwater solution.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: Our team may be able to reimplant your tooth if it’s still viable and not significantly damaged. After it’s placed, it’ll naturally fuse with your bone and soft tissue. In any other case, you may need to replace your tooth instead to avoid the complications that come with untreated tooth loss.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dentures

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Even though dental restorations are durable, they’re not meant to last forever. Eventually, they may break or fall off. If that happens, your tooth is at risk of infection, which is why you should contact us right away to schedule an emergency appointment.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Rinse off the restoration and try to reattach it to the tooth if you can. It may keep falling out, but a small dab of toothpaste can be used as a temporary adhesive. Apply clove oil to the tooth if you experience any sensitivity. If you must eat, make sure the food stays far away from the tooth in question.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: We might be able to recement your restoration if it’s still mostly intact. However, you may need to order a replacement altogether if your filling or crown is damaged or weakened.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?

There is a common misconception that dental emergencies are painful. However, there are several that aren’t, like broken dentures. Since your restoration plays a crucial role in your day-to-day life, it’s important that we repair or replace yours right away.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture

Handling a broken denture properly is more about what you shouldn’t do than what you should do. For example, you shouldn’t try to glue your dentures back together with a household adhesive or store-bought dentures repair kit.

How We Treat Broken Dentures

We have two options: repair your dentures or replace them. We will determine what is the best route once we examine your dentures and assess how severe the damage is.

Learn More About Dentures

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency?

Yes, a loose permanent tooth is a dental emergency! We need to examine your tooth and restore it ASAP to prevent additional oral health problems, like an infection, from developing.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth

Although there are several factors at play, including the location of the tooth, we recommend that all of our patients take proactive measures to prevent the tooth from loosening further. A few examples include not wiggling the tooth with your tongue or finger and not eating anything hard, crunchy, or sticky.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth

There are a multitude of treatment options available, and the one we recommend will depend entirely on your specific dental needs. If the tooth can be saved, then we will provide it with the support it needs to heal. If the tooth cannot be saved, then extracting it and filling the gap in your smile with a dental implant may be more ideal.

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency?

Fortunately, soft tissue injuries rarely require a same-day visit. There is an exception, however: if the bleeding hasn’t stopped after 10 minutes of applying pressure. If that’s the case, then you need to seek medical attention at your local ER.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Handling a soft tissue injury properly comes down to two crucial steps: rinsing the wound with clean water and applying pressure with a damp washcloth or piece of gauze. If the area around the cut is swollen, then we recommend placing a cold compress or towel-wrapped icepack against it as well.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Although these injuries rarely require treatment from our Dallas dental team, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t here to answer any questions you have. You’re more than welcome to give us a call if you’re unsure how to handle a dental injury or if yours requires a visit to the ER.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency?

Jaw pain may not seem like much of an issue at first, but over time it can make chewing, sleeping, and even concentrating difficult. That’s why we recommend scheduling an appointment sooner rather than later. Although a same-day visit may not be necessary, we’d rather pinpoint and treat the root of the problem before it negatively impacts your quality of life.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain

In addition to scheduling an appointment with our Dallas dentist, we recommend that our patients place a cold compress against their jaw to alleviate swelling, avoid extremely crunchy foods to not exacerbate the issue, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize discomfort.

How We Treat Jaw Pain

Oftentimes, jaw pain boils down to two problems: impacted wisdom teeth and chronic teeth grinding. If it’s the former, then your third set of molars will need to be extracted to provide you with long-lasting relief. If it’s the latter, then we can give you a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth and alleviate pressure from your jaw.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Having something stuck between your teeth may seem like a relatively small issue at first. However, if the debris remains lodged there, you may begin to experience issues, like pain when biting down. That’s why we encourage our patients to take proactive measures, starting with rinsing with salt and warm water. From there, use a piece of floss to gently clean between your teeth. If neither of these works, call our team so we can help!

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Mother and child at dental office reception desk discussing the cost of dental emergencies

There is no flat rate for emergency dental care, so we won’t be able to give you an accurate price estimate until we examine your mouth and determine which procedures are needed to address your situation. The cost can vary based on the severity of the issue, but in all cases, acting fast is best for your mouth and wallet. Plus, we will work with you to use your insurance benefits and any other options available to make sure that your care is comfortably affordable. Keep reading to learn more about the cost of emergency dentistry in Dallas.

Every Dental Emergency Is Unique

It may surprise you to know that seeing your emergency dentist won’t be as expensive as you imagine. During your visit, our team will perform a thorough oral examination to see which treatment would best address your specific dental needs. Until we can see you and identify the root cause of your issue, we won’t be able to determine the overall price of your treatment.

Once we’ve had a chance to assess your situation, we can give you a detailed review of the pricing information so that you know exactly what you’ll expect to pay. The last thing we’d want is for you to feel surprised when it comes time to pay the bill. We’ll walk you through your recommended treatment plans and discuss your financing options to help stay within your budget.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Fortunately, most dental insurance companies will offer some portion of coverage for emergency dentistry. Not only is at least one biannual exam fully covered, but most restorative services are also eligible for partial coverage. These may include dental crowns, root canal therapy, and tooth extractions. Since every plan is different, you’ll want to consult your insurance provider about the details of your benefits before beginning any treatment. Our knowledgeable team will also be happy to help you navigate and make the most of your policy.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

We understand the importance of being able to afford the dental treatment you need. That’s why, even if you don’t currently have an insurance plan, our team offers alternative financing through CareCredit. This third-party financier can help split up the overall cost of your procedures into smaller, monthly installments. Many of these plans also come with little to no interest, meaning you won’t have to break the bank to get the necessary treatment.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Did you know that the majority of dental emergencies are the result of untreated decay or infection? For this reason, one of the best ways to save money is by implementing a solid oral hygiene routine. Taking proper care of your teeth, such as brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash frequently, can significantly reduce your risk of a dental emergency. You may even save thousands of dollars by simply visiting your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. Make sure to notify our team as soon as you notice an oral issue, and we can provide the treatment you need to keep the situation from becoming a bigger deal later on.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Father and child brushing teeth together to prevent dental emergencies

Our Dallas dental team aims to be here when you need us most. With that said, we also hope that you never sustain a serious injury that warrants a same-day visit to our office since it can be stressful to handle and painful to experience. So, here are a few simple ways to help you and your loved ones avoid an unexpected trip to the dentist:

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

We typically recommend visiting us every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. This ensures that we can periodically check for oral cancer, tooth decay, and other serious conditions. Plus, we can use special tools during the cleaning portion of your appointment to thoroughly remove built-up plaque and tartar. Of course, if you experience dental pain or any other abnormal symptoms between visits, then you should reach out to us sooner. That way, we can take care of the problem before it progresses.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Of course, you need to take good care of your teeth and gums on a daily basis as well. In addition to implementing the proper technique, make sure you’re using the right tools, like a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. When completing your oral hygiene regimen, make sure to clean your tongue, brush for a full two minutes, and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash as well. This will help thoroughly remove food particles, bacteria, and other debris.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Throughout the years, you may have heard that consuming sugary foods and drinks in excess can cause cavities to develop. However, that’s not the only thing you should keep in mind when filling your plate! Since crunchy foods can result in a chip, crack, or fracture, we recommend exercising caution with raw nuts, popcorn, peanut brittle, and tortilla chips. Additionally, never chew ice cubes, pens, pencils, and the like.

Wear a Mouthguard

Contact or non-contact, if you play a sport, you need to wear a mouthguard. After all, roughly five million teeth are knocked-out each year during sports-related accidents! So, always wear yours when you’re skateboarding, playing football, or participating in any physical activity.

Note: We may also recommend having a custom mouthguard made if you chronically grind or clench your teeth. That way, we can protect them from premature wear!

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

People use their teeth as tools all the time, whether it’s to remove a clothing tag, open a tube of mascara, hold their keys, or trim their nails. While it may seem convenient in the moment, it’s important to remember that these habits can seriously damage your smile, requiring an immediate visit to our Dallas dental office. In short, to protect your teeth and your wallet, never use your teeth as tools.

Root Canal Therapy

Model of healthy tooth compared with model tooth in need of root canal therapy

When the nerve tissue inside a broken or badly decayed tooth becomes infected or exposed to the air, it can be quite painful. Plus, the more time that passes, the more the infection will progress. The good news is that our team at Skillman Family Dentistry can stop the infection in its tracks, alleviate your pain, and preserve your tooth with a root canal. Although this emergency dental treatment has a bad reputation, it’s virtually painless, and we can add sedation dentistry to your plan if you struggle with anxiety, nerves, or stress in the treatment chair!

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Tooth Extractions

Woman holding tooth after extraction

No one wants to have a tooth pulled. Dentists like to save teeth, and patients like to keep theirs. But when all else fails, removing or extracting an infected, painful tooth may be the only option for treatment.

Dr. Henry and his team will relieve your pain using appropriate anesthesia techniques to numb the infected tooth and surrounding tissue. Minimizing your discomfort and immediate relief of your pain are our goals. After your extraction, we will provide you with complete aftercare instructions to help ensure full healing. We also have several tooth replacement options available. If you are suffering from a severe or chronic toothache, we can help.

Dental Emergency FAQs

patient visiting an emergency dentist in Dallas

If you’re experiencing discomfort or some other kind of urgent dental situation, then you should consider seeking care from Dr. Henry . Your cosmetic dentist in Dallas will be more than happy to provide the necessary treatment to alleviate your symptoms and address the root cause of the problem. To help you feel more comfortable and confident about your visit, we’ve gathered and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies. Read along to learn more or feel free to reach out to our team if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

We generally don’t recommend a “wait-and-see” approach if you’re experiencing a toothache. This is because this condition won’t usually go away by itself, as your teeth can’t recover on their own like a bruise or a cut. If your pearly whites are being affected by decay, damage, or infection, you’ll need to seek professional dental treatment as soon as possible to treat the situation. For this reason, you should consider giving us a call if you’re experiencing any kind of tooth discomfort, as this will allow us plenty of time to address the root cause.

Is Emergency Dental Care Expensive?

Many people hesitate to pursue necessary urgent dental care because they’re worried about affording the treatment. However, by not addressing the issue early on, you can be at risk of needing more costly procedures in the future. Fortunately, our team is happy to accept dental insurance from numerous providers! Not only can your treatment potentially receive around 50-80% coverage depending on your policy, but you’ll also have a less stressful experience managing your budget for your urgent condition. We also offer third-party financing options through CareCredit and Sunbit, which can split the overall cost of your emergency care into more convenient monthly installments!

If I Have a Toothache, Will I Need a Root Canal?

Since toothaches can be an indication of multiple issues, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically need a root canal. Several common treatments for this condition include antibiotics, fillings, crowns, and gum disease therapy. That’s why it’s best to schedule an appointment with us right away so that we can determine the source of the issue and which option will be necessary for you. Even if you end up needing a root canal, our team will ensure you’re as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. Many of our patients find this treatment to be as simple as getting a large filling. Dr. Henry may also provide you with sedation therapy to help you stay relaxed if you’re feeling anxious during your visit.

Should I Go to the Emergency Room for a Dental Emergency?

You should only go to your local ER if your dental emergency is life-threatening, such as:

  • Swelling that makes it difficult to swallow or breathe
  • Bleeding that persists longer than 10 minutes
  • A broken or dislocated jaw

Any other urgent dental situation should be brought to us. This may include a severe toothache, or a broken or knocked-out tooth. By visiting our team, you’ll be able to save yourself time and money while also preserving your dental health in the long run, as emergency rooms can typically only alleviate discomfort temporarily.

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