Emergency Dentist — Dallas, TX
Toothache? We Offer Same-Day Care
While we all know to dial 911 when experiencing a medical emergency, many families aren’t exactly sure what to do when faced with an urgent situation that’s related to their teeth. At Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas, we’re here to help! Our doctors offer same-day emergency care and have the experience needed to correct broken teeth, knocked-out teeth, severe mouth pain, and more. Don’t wait – contact us today for emergency dentistry in Dallas, TX!
Why Choose Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas for Emergency Dental Care?
- Focused On Same-Day Treatments
- Open Evenings & Saturdays
- Sedation Dentistry for Elevated Comfort
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Set up a same-day appointment: The moment you notice tooth pain or another dental emergency, call our office. We’ll do everything possible to get you seen the same day you call. Not only do we provide opportunities for same-day visits, but we are open during the evening and on Saturdays, making it easier for you to get your emergency handled sooner.
- Visit for an emergency exam: Ahead of your visit, we’re happy to give first-aid tips over the phone to improve your situation. When you do arrive, one of our dentists will perform a detailed exam and capture X-rays if needed. We’ll also alleviate any pain caused by your urgent dental issue.
- Reviewing our findings: After completing your exam, the dentist will be able to break down their findings and recommend a treatment plan from there. This custom treatment plan includes estimated costs and the expected timeline to complete care, so you can make an informed decision before making any commitments.
- Get the care you need: Whether you need dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, extractions, or another service to address your dental emergency, we will work quickly and diligently to get your oral health back to normal.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency occurs, we urge patients to contact us right away and start traveling to the dental office as well. Our office is trained to handle many different types of dental emergencies. However, if there will be a delay before you can reach our location, there are some helpful steps you can take to relieve pain and manage uncomfortable symptoms in the interim. Here is some useful information regarding the most common emergency situations we treat.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Since dental emergencies can strike in many different ways, the overall expected cost can vary. Some cases may only need a prescription for medication, while others could require more extensive treatment to fully correct. During your emergency appointment, our dentists will focus on relieving pain first and then provide a thorough recommendation for further treatment as needed, which includes estimated costs.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
To fully understand how much you can expect your dental examination and treatment to cost, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with your emergency dentist. This will require undergoing a thorough evaluation to determine the severity of your injury. Once we have a clear idea of how it happened and what has occurred, we can create a personalized treatment plan that outlines which method of treatment we plan to use.
It's important to remember that even if you and another person arrive with chipped teeth, the likelihood that your treatment and expenses will be the same is highly unlikely. Each situation is different, so it’s always best to see your dentist when a crisis occurs.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
You’ll be pleased to learn that if you have a private dental insurance plan, there is a good chance that your emergency dental exam will be covered. Most companies offer one free emergency exam every year; however, we recommend that you double-check your plan.
Of course, the initial meeting with your emergency dentist is not where most of your cost will come from. At Midtown Family Dentistry, our emergency visits are $50. Instead, you can expect that the restorative treatment you will need is what will make up most of your expenses.
Depending on your benefits plan, your insurer will likely cover anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost once you have met your deductible.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have a private dental insurance plan, you can opt to enroll in flexible financing through Sunbit or apply for our in-house dental plan. This makes it easy to pay one low annual fee in exchange for free preventive services and a 20% discount on other available treatment options.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Knowing you have a trusted emergency dentist who can administer immediate care is important, but it’s always better to avoid these visits if possible. You can do this by:
- Brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly to eliminate plaque and bacteria
- Keeping your six-month visits with your dentist to ensure your smile remains cavity- and disease-free
- Avoiding unhealthy habits such as eating ice, using your teeth as tools, and biting your fingernails
- Eating a healthier diet full of nutrient-rich foods
- Drinking plenty of water to keep your salivary glands working properly
- Wearing appropriate mouth protection if you decide to play sports or if you struggle with teeth grinding
By following these tips, you’ll lower your risk of injury and avoid paying additional costs associated with emergency dental care.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
While it isn’t possible to avoid dental emergencies with 100% certainty, there are definitely ways to decrease your overall risk. Doing everything possible to protect your smile will ensure that any problems are caught and treated at their earliest, most harmless stages. If you’d like to learn more about keeping yourself safe against dental emergencies, continue reading or call our team at Midtown Family Dentistry of Dallas today!
Establish a Good At-Home Oral Hygiene Routine
One of the best ways to prevent a dental emergency is by taking proper care of your teeth and gums. Even things as simple as brushing and flossing can go a long way in protecting your smile against issues like cavities, decay, and gum disease. Make sure you’re brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing daily with an ADA-approved mouthwash. These practices will keep harmful bacteria from accumulating in your mouth and accelerate enamel deterioration.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Aside from having a solid oral hygiene routine, you need to stay on top of your regular dental appointments. It’s incredibly important that you see your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning as they’ll be able to catch and treat problems before they turn into complications. With their help, you can address issues as soon as they arise and avoid needing more complex procedures down the line.
Follow a Healthy Diet
Believe it or not, your diet has a significant impact on oral health. The foods you eat can easily become nourishment for the bacteria in your mouth, contributing to problems like cavities and decay. Sugary, starchy, and acidic foods are known to play a role in the accumulation of harmful bacteria. That’s why you should avoid them and stick to a diet full of nutrient-rich foods instead (i.e., whole grains, lean proteins, dairy products, fruits, vegetables).
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you regularly play sports or grind your teeth at night? Ask our team about getting a custom-made oral device. An athletic mouthguard can protect your teeth and gums against any type of impact while you’re playing. On the other hand, a nightguard will keep your pearly whites safe when you grind your teeth against each other. Both of these oral appliances can lower your risk of breaking a tooth or restoration, meaning you’re less likely to have a dental emergency.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
If you’re struggling to open a bottle or package, you may be tempted to use your teeth as a last-ditch effort. However, using your pearly whites for anything other than chewing food can easily result in a dental emergency. That’s why it’s a good idea to wait until you have the proper tool or ask someone to lend you a helping hand.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Dental emergencies will never be expected, but the more information you have, the more prepared you can be. Please feel free to contact us directly with any concerns you may have. Our friendly team is always ready to help in any way we can! Until then, we’ve included the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
When you have a dental emergency in Dallas, you should always contact us first. Urgent care facilities typically won’t have the proper equipment or personnel to address your issue. However, you should visit the ER for any emergencies that are life threatening, which includes deep facial wounds, fractured or broken jawbone, and issues with breathing. For almost any other dental emergency, our office is the best place to visit. We can get you out of pain and restore your smile back to its full health.
What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?
An emergency dentistry kit will come in handy when an urgent situation occurs. In order to be as prepared as you can, keep these items in your kit:
- Small storage container for teeth or restorations
- Gauze pads and dressings
- Sterile gloves
- Dental cement or temporary fillings
- Cotton balls
- Denture adhesive
- Petroleum jelly
- Ibuprofen
- Floss
- Ice pack
- Our office’s contact information
What if I can’t afford emergency dentistry?
It’s very common for patients to be worried about the cost of emergency dentistry, especially if they need multiple restorative treatments. It’s important to remember, however, that cavities, gum disease, damaged restorations, and the like will not heal with time; they need to be treated by a skilled dental professional. In other words, taking the “wait and see” approach will only result in more costly care.
The best thing to do is simply talk to our team openly about the financial side of your treatment! Since we have multiple financial solutions, including our very own in-house membership plan, we can make the cost fit into nearly every budget.
My chipped tooth doesn’t hurt. Do I still need to visit?
You might be surprised to hear that the answer is “yes.” That’s because there’s a chance that the tooth can become infected or break further. So, don’t put off scheduling an emergency exam, even if you aren’t in pain.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
Sometimes, coming in for a same-day visit with our Dallas emergency dentist simply isn’t feasible. If that’s the case for you, don’t worry – that doesn’t mean there is a restless night of sleep ahead. To prevent your discomfort from interfering with your rest, we recommend sticking to soft, smile-friendly foods at dinner, using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, taking OTC pain medication (as directed on the label) 30 minutes before bed, and using some pillows to keep your head elevated.
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
Throbbing tooth pain is often the result of inflammation, an infection, or significant damage, which is why we recommend calling us ASAP to schedule an emergency exam if you’re experiencing this abnormal symptom. From there, we can take a look at your teeth, learn more about your symptoms, and determine what the root of the problem is.
Can superglue be used to repair broken dentures?
In addition to not using store-bought denture repair kits, we don’t recommend using superglue. Remember, household products like this contain toxins that are not safe to ingest. So, using it can negatively impact the condition of your restoration as well as your oral and overall health.
Are toothpicks safe to use?
There are a few reasons we don’t recommend using toothpicks, including the fact that swallowing one could be deadly. If you have something stuck between your teeth, don’t reach for these or anything else sharp. Instead, rinse thoroughly with warm saltwater before using some floss.
Is a toothache a dental emergency?
There’s a common misconception that toothaches can be ignored. That’s not the case! After all, there is a good chance that the root of the problem is an untreated oral health issue, like a large cavity. So, don’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, contact us to share your symptoms and, if necessary, schedule a same-day appointment with our emergency dentist in Dallas.
More to Explore
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I am Looking for a Dentist for My Child I am Concerned About Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Unhappy with My Smile I Want a Straighter Smile I am Afraid/Nervous of the Dentist I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed View Our Services