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.
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
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.
