Emergency Dentist Grand Prairie

Count on Us to Help You Out of Pain

Woman in sweater rubbing jaw in pain

Whether you’re experiencing a painful toothache that won’t go away or tripped, fell, and chipped a tooth, our team at Pecan Tree Dental will always be here for you in your time of need. We offer same-day and weekend emergency dentistry in Grand Prairie to make sure that whenever an accident strikes, you always have somebody you can call. If you’re in pain due to an unexpected dental emergency, reach out right now to schedule an appointment.

Why Choose Pecan Tree Dental for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day & Weekend Emergency Dental Appointments
  • Compassionate & Gentle Dental Care for All Ages
  • In-Network with Most Dental Insurances

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman with tooth pain visiting emergency dentist in Grand Prairie

The first step you should take if you experience a dental emergency in Grand Prairie is to contact our office immediately. We offer flexible same-day and weekend appointments to ensure that you’re seen as soon as possible. While our staff is on the phone with you, we’ll provide you with first aid guidance to prevent additional harm to your smile.

When you arrive, our team will complete a limited emergency exam and take X-rays if necessary. One of our emergency dentists will examine your mouth and images and diagnose the issue at hand as well as create a treatment plan to address it. In some cases, we may be able to treat the issue the same day, but if more extensive care is required, our front desk staff will schedule an appointment in the near future for you.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

If you’re unsure of whether or not you’re experiencing a dental emergency, we invite you to browse some of the most common situations we help patients with below. As a general rule of thumb, we encourage any patients experiencing dental pain to call our office.

Toothaches  

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Oftentimes, patients try to ignore their toothache in hopes that it will go away on its own. However, your teeth cannot heal themselves. So, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment with our team at Pecan Tree Dental, even if it’s a day or two from now.

How You Should Handle a Toothache: To alleviate any discomfort you’re experiencing in the short term, we recommend rinsing with warm saltwater, eating extremely soft foods, avoiding sugary treats, and taking OTC pain medication (following the directions on the label, of course).

How We Treat Toothaches: Usually, toothaches can be treated with a tooth-colored dental filling or crown. However, there are some cases when a root canal is needed to save it. Rest assured, we will discuss all of your treatment options so you can confidently decide which one is best for you.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Chipped Teeth  

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Not always. For example, if the chip is minor and you aren’t experiencing anything unusual, like sensitivity, then scheduling an emergency visit likely isn’t necessary. Of course, if the chip is substantial or you’re in pain, then that’s a different story.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: To prevent the tooth from breaking further, we recommend covering it with dental wax or sugar-free gum. You should also avoid hot/cold drinks as well as crunchy and sticky foods, like caramel-filled candies and hard pretzels.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth: There are several treatments we offer that can restore the missing structure, including veneers, Lumineers, and cosmetic bonding. We will go over the benefits of each with you at your visit before helping you decide the best way to proceed.

Cracked Tooth  

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, especially if the damage is visible. The best thing to do is call our office right away. That way, we can schedule an appointment with one of our emergency dentists in Grand Prairie and walk you through how to handle this dental injury in the meantime.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: There are a few steps we recommend taking in addition to calling us to schedule an emergency appointment: not chewing on that side of your mouth, rinsing periodically with clean, room-temperature water, and avoiding crunchy, sugary, sticky, and acidic foods.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth: The answer depends largely on whether or not the tooth can be saved. If it can’t, then we will need to proceed with an extraction. Then, we can use a custom dental bridge or implant to fill the open space, restoring your complete smile in the process.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? Dental sensitivity doesn’t typically warrant an emergency visit. That said, there are some important exceptions. For example, if your symptoms are progressively getting worse, then don’t wait – call us right away to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth: Until your appointment with us, there’s really only one thing you can do: try to alleviate your symptoms. In addition to using a desensitizing toothpaste, we recommend sticking to room-temperature water and avoiding hot and cold foods.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth: First, we need to pinpoint the culprit by learning more about your symptoms and completing a comprehensive oral exam. Then, we will review your treatment options, share our recommendations, and answer any questions you have before providing the necessary restorative care.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Knocked-Out Tooth  

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? If you’ve lost a tooth in Grand Prairie, it’s important that you act fast. After all, the tooth starts to die after only 15 minutes, and we need to see you within the hour in order to have the highest chance of saving it. So, it’s important that you call us immediately.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth: After removing dirt and any other debris with clean water, you should place the tooth back in its socket. If that would require force or you’re too scared to try, then put it in a clean container filled with milk or saline solution instead.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth: When you arrive at Pecan Tree Dental, we will alleviate any pain you’re experiencing and determine if your tooth can be saved. If it can’t, then we will need to replace it with either a dental bridge or a dental implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown

Lost Filling or Crown  

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? We do recommend coming to our office the same day, if possible. However, if you’re stuck at work or are out of town, that’s okay – give us a call so we can schedule an appointment within the next day or two and walk you through how to handle this dental problem in the meantime.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown: In addition to calling us to schedule an appointment, we recommend placing your restoration in a small, clean container for safekeeping. It’s also important that you don’t chew on that side of your mouth and that you avoid crunchy, sticky, and sugary foods entirely.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns: There are a few ways we can restore your healthy, pain-free smile! For example, if you lost a filling, we can provide you with a new one. Conversely, if you have a dental crown that’s perfectly intact and is relatively new, we can recement it back in place. Ultimately, how we proceed will depend on your unique situation.

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Dentures  

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? A broken denture in West Palm Beach is considered a dental emergency. After all, continuing to wear it can lead to further damage, and not wearing it can negatively impact everything from your self-esteem to your diet. So, don’t wait – call our team at Pecan Tree Dental right away.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: In addition to scheduling an appointment with us, we recommend placing your denture (or the pieces of your denture) in its case to prevent it from breaking further. If you get hungry between now and your visit, eat extremely soft foods, like applesauce, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: When you arrive at our office, we will take a look at your denture and determine if we can repair it. If we can’t, then we will either need to send it to the dental lab or begin the process of having a new one made.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown

Loose Permanent Tooth  

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes. After all, the more time that passes, the higher the chances are of the tooth falling out completely. So, it’s important that you act quickly by scheduling an emergency appointment with our dental team near Grand Prairie.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Until your appointment with us, avoid doing anything that could cause your tooth to loosen further, like wiggling it with your tongue or chewing on that side of your mouth.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: Ideally, we’ll be able to save your tooth with a dental splint. If that’s not an option, then we will need to extract it and replace it with a custom dental bridge or implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue  

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Not usually, no. With that said, there is an important exception: if the cut is bleeding uncontrollably, you should call 911 or head to the ER.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: If you cut your gums, lips, or tongue, then rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean, cool water. Then, apply pressure to it with some gauze or a damp, clean washcloth. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can use a cold compress or a towel-wrapped icepack to alleviate any lingering puffiness.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Fortunately, soft tissue injuries like these can usually be handled at home. However, you’re more than welcome to give us a call if you’re not sure what to do. We aim to always be just a phone call away when you need us!

Lost Filling or Crown

Jaw Pain  

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? If you’ve been dealing with consistent jaw pain, then you should call us, even if it’s just to schedule an appointment before the end of the week.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Until your appointment at our office, you can alleviate your discomfort by using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time and taking OTC pain medication as directed. It’s also a good idea to avoid doing anything that could exacerbate your symptoms, like chewing gum.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: That depends on what the root of the problem is! For patients in their late teens and early 20s, it’s often impacted wisdom teeth, which require an extraction.

Lost Filling or Crown

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

If there is something stuck between your teeth, like a piece of food, don’t use a toothpick to try to remove it. Instead, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm saltwater and use a strand of floss to gently clean between your teeth. If that doesn’t work, then give us a call.