Emergency Dentist — Grand Prairie, TX

Fast & Pain-Relieving Emergency Treatment

Our team understands that accidents happen, and sometimes, they concern the teeth. That’s why we welcome dental emergency walk-ins and always strive to be there whenever you need us most. We also offer nitrous oxide sedation to help you feel more comfortable while you’re receiving treatment. To schedule an emergency visit or get over-the-phone first-aid guidance in your time of need, contact our dental office today for emergency dentistry in Grand Prairie!

Woman in need of emergency dentistry holding jaw in pain

Why Choose Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation Available
  • In-Network with Nearly All PPO Plans
  • Emergency Walk-Ins Always Welcome

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Woman holding jaw before emergency dentistry treatment
  • Call our office. The sooner you get in touch with our office, the more quickly we’ll get your smile back to normal. We’ll do our best to accommodate same-day emergency visits.
  • See Dr. Desai for an emergency exam. When you get to our office, Dr. Desai will perform a detailed examination and take X-rays to identify the root cause of your problem. She’ll explain her findings to give you a clear understanding of what’s affecting your oral health.
  • Get the care you need. Our team will work diligently to get your situation under control. Some common solutions for dental emergencies include fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, and extraction.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

The first step you should always take in the midst of a dental emergency is call us to speak with one of our dental professionals. We’ll be able to provide you with tips to minimize any threat of additional oral damage until you’re able to get to our dental office for treatment. Below, we’ve also included some helpful advice to handle common dental emergencies as you’re getting ready to come to our dental office.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Woman in need of emergency dentistry holding cheek in pain

The only way we’ll be able to determine the cost of your emergency treatment is by first taking X-rays and conducting a visual inspection of your mouth. Once we determine the underlying problem, we’ll develop a treatment plan to address it. Before we conduct any dental work, we’ll discuss the cost and your dental insurance coverage if applicable. Our team always maximizes dental insurance benefits to the best of our ability, and we also offer additional financing through CareCredit.

Why Every Dental Emergency is Different

Dentist smiling at patient while reviewing X-ray

As we mentioned in the first section, we need to take X-rays and conduct an oral exam when you arrive at our office. That way, we can pinpoint both the root of the problem and how severe the dental damage is. Only then can we review your treatment options and help you determine the next best steps for your oral health. For example, even if two patients come to our office with a large cavity, we may recommend a dental crown for one and root canal treatment for the next – it really depends on the patient’s specific dental needs!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance form on computer screen in office

Dental insurance providers typically do cover a portion of the cost of emergency dentistry. As always, you need to review the fine print on your plan to see if any waiting periods, annual deductibles, or yearly maximums will impact your coverage first. Since this is often easier said than done, you’re more than welcome to ask our Grand Prairie dental team for help too! We’re proud to welcome Cigna, Metlife, Humana, and several other popular providers, which makes utilizing any available benefits you have a breeze.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Dentist and patient smiling at appointment

In addition to dental insurance and our in-house plan, our team at Care 32 Dental also welcomes flexible financing with CareCredit. As a result, you don’t have to worry about paying for the entire cost of emergency dental care upfront. Instead, you can choose one of their payment plans and breakdown the cost into manageable monthly chunks! They even offer options with little-to-no interest attached, which ensures that your treatment is affordable in the short and long-term.

Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Man smiling while brushing his teeth

Although accidents can’t be completely avoided, good dental care habits can go a long way when it comes to protecting your smile and, in turn, protecting your wallet. For that reason, we strongly recommend doing what you can to protect your teeth from harm. That starts with implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen and visiting us twice a year for a checkup and extends to wearing a mouthguard when playing sports and not smoking. As always, if you have any questions about how to protect your smile from harm, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team for tips.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman flossing teeth to prevent dental emergencies

Even though you can’t completely prevent all dental emergencies from occurring, there are some basic measures you can take to drastically reduce your risk of experiencing one. With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few healthy habits you should adopt to protect your teeth and gums from harm.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Closeup of woman smiling during dental checkup

Tooth decay and gum disease can result in everything from a sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down to considerable dental sensitivity that negatively impacts your day-to-day life. The good news is that you can dramatically reduce your chances of developing oral health problems like these by visiting Dr. Desai every six months for checkups and cleanings. So, if it’s been more than six months since your last visit, schedule an appointment with us today!

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Father and daughter smiling while brushing teeth in bathroom

A solid at-home oral hygiene routine is essential because it helps prevent plaque buildup and decay while also keeping your teeth white and your breath fresh. If your dental regimen is currently a bit lackluster, then there’s no better time to adopt better habits. A few examples include brushing twice a day, flossing each morning or evening, and rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash daily.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Woman smiling while eating lunch in car with friends

While crunchy foods can result in a considerable chip, sticky foods can pull a dental filling loose. That’s why we encourage our patients to be careful when eating caramel, raw nuts, popcorn, and the like. It’s also important that we mention here the importance of filling your plate with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. That way, your body can fight infections while simultaneously keeping your jawbone strong and your teeth healthy.

Wear a Mouthguard

Man holding clear mouthguard

If you play sports, lift weights, or have a hobby like surfing or skateboarding, you need a mouthguard. That way, your teeth are protected from everything from chronic clenching to unforeseen accidents. We also recommend getting a custom mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night. This will help prevent cracks, fractures, and chips.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Smiling man sitting in dental office

Simply put, you should never use your teeth as tools. That means you shouldn’t use your teeth to remove plastic wrapping, hold your keys, trim your nails, or anything similar. In fact, we recommend avoiding even using your teeth to bite into cubes of ice since this can seriously damage your teeth!

Dental Emergency FAQs 

Will my toothache go away on its own?

No matter how much you brush your teeth and stay away from sugary foods, a damaged tooth cannot fix itself. That’s why it’s so important to schedule an appointment with our Grand Prairie dentist the moment any abnormal symptoms arise, like pain or swelling. Once we’ve determined the root of the problem, we can put a plan in place to restore both the look and function of the tooth.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

In most cases, treating a dental injury requires a visit to your emergency dentist. There are, however, some exceptions. For example, if you are having trouble breathing, dealing with a fractured jaw, are unable to control the bleeding, or are struggling with another potentially life-threatening symptom, then the ER is the best place to turn for medical attention. All other dental injuries, like toothaches, fractured teeth, or a lost filling, should be treated by a dentist. (Don’t worry – our team offers morning, evening, lunchtime, and weekend hours, increasing our chances of being able to treat you the very same day).

Should knocked-out teeth be placed in water?

In short, the answer is no. To preserve the root, a knocked-out tooth should be placed back in the socket (only if it slides back in without resistance). Otherwise, you can place it in a glass of milk. If that’s not available, put it in a saline solution. You can also hold it in your mouth, but you need to be especially careful not to accidentally swallow it.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

If you’re struggling with a painful toothache, then getting a restful night’s sleep can feel near impossible. The good news is there are a few things you can do to ease your discomfort. First, don’t eat any sugary or acidic foods in the evening. When it does come time for you to turn in, prop yourself up with several pillows to keep your head elevated. You can also use a cold compress or take an over-the-counter pain reliever right before bed to help ease any soreness. (Note: these are all short-term solutions and do not take the place of treatment from a dental professional. For long-lasting relief, schedule an appointment with our team).

My chipped tooth doesn’t hurt. Do I still need to visit?

You should always schedule an appointment with a dentist after chipping a tooth. Even if you aren’t experiencing any pain, you can’t tell if the inner area of the tooth is exposed until you have it examined by a dentist. That being said, a chipped tooth isn’t as urgent as a knocked-out tooth or painful toothache, so you can wait a couple of days if needed. Just schedule an appointment to have the issue resolved at your earliest convenience.

Can superglue be used to repair broken dentures?

Superglue is not recommended for fixing broken dentures. It may seem like a good temporary fix, but the chemicals used in this type of product can be toxic and even result in allergic reactions in some patients. These chemicals can also affect the way that your food tastes. Additionally, superglue does not work well in damp environments, so it likely wouldn’t last very long after being applied to your dentures.

Is my tooth pain from an infection?

If your tooth feels sore or is throbbing, it could be due to infection. Other signs of a tooth infection include a bitter taste in the mouth, chronic bad breath, tooth sensitivity, loosening of the teeth, red and swollen gums, and a sore on the gums surrounding the affected tooth. The only way to find out for sure if it is a dental infection is to see a dentist who can capture X-rays and provide a diagnosis.

Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?

You should never attempt to pop a dental abscess on your own. Instead, get in touch with a dentist right away. Tooth and gum abscesses are considered to be dental infections and are therefore dental emergencies. Popping the abscess will only expose your mouth to additional bacteria and irritate the area more. Additionally, putting off treatment can allow the infection to spread within the mouth and to other areas, like the neck, throat, and head.

More to Explore

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Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Toothaches are considered a dental emergency if they cause stabbing or shooting pain for more than 24 hours. Toothaches can be caused by many things, including an injury such as a chip or crack, a tooth infection, a cavity, or even an impaction such as with a newly erupted wisdom tooth.If you are experiencing this type of discomfort, please contact Care 32 Dental at your earliest convenience to schedule an urgent appointment.

How You Should Handle a Toothache: If you’re experiencing a toothache, the first step is to schedule an appointment at Care 32 Dental. Next, nurture your tooth by easing any pain with an over-the-counter pain medication. You may also experience some relief by using a cold compress on the affected area, and by avoiding chewing on the side of your mouth with the affected tooth.

How We Treat Toothaches: How your toothache is treated depends on its root cause. If it is infected, it will likely need a root canal, however if it hurts due to a cavity, you may only require a filling or crown. For impacted wisdom teeth, you may require an extraction. Your Care 32 Dental team can provide you with your pain relief options following your consultation.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Not all chips are dental emergencies, but they should all be evaluated by your dentist at Care 32 Dental. If you chip your tooth, call us as soon as possible and explain the location and size of the chip. From there, we can determine how quickly you should be seen and what you should do to protect your tooth in the meantime.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth: If you chip your tooth, call Care 32 Dental as soon as possible. Prior to your appointment, keep your mouth clean by rinsing well with room temperature water. To keep the tooth shielded, cover it with sugarless gum. If you have any meals before your appointment, avoid foods that are sticky, crunchy, acidic, or sugary.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth: There are multiple ways to treat chipped teeth, including dental bonding or veneers. Dental bonding uses the same materials as tooth-colored fillings to rebuild the missing piece of your tooth. A veneer can cover the tooth and hide any chips or discoloration. In some cases, a chipped tooth may also require a crown or extraction, however this will depend on the location of the chip, the size, and the type of tooth itself.

Learn More About Veneers

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? A cracked tooth is certainly a dental emergency, and you should not delay getting it repaired. Contact Care 32 Dental if you experience any kind of crack or break in your tooth. We can assist you over the phone in determining your next steps, including how to protect it until your appointment.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth: If your tooth cracks, it is important to keep it safe to protect it from any additional damage. Do not chew with that side of your mouth, stick to soft foods, and don’t smoke or use your teeth as tools or to chew anything other than food.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth: Depending on how severe the crack is, your dentist at Care 32 Dental may be able to repair it with a dental crown or a filling. For more serious damage, your dentist may recommend extraction and restoration with a dental implant or bridge.

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Dental Implants

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency?

Tooth sensitivity is caused by the exposure of the layers of tooth under your enamel or tooth roots. If your tooth sensitivity is mild, this is considered non-urgent, and could be caused by over-aggressive brushing, whitening products, an acidic diet, or teeth grinding (bruxism).

Sensitivity is considered a dental emergency if the pain or sensitivity is severe, long-lasting, or only affects one or two teeth, as this may be caused by a cracked tooth or filling, a deep cavity, receding gums or gum disease, or a tooth abscess or infection.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth

If you are experiencing sudden sensitivity, contact Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie as soon as possible for further instructions. It may be possible to treat your sensitivity at home by modifying your diet, brushing habits, or oral health products. You may also need to be seen by your dentist. In the meantime, drink plenty of lukewarm water to keep your mouth clean, avoid spicy, acidic, or sweet foods and beverages, and treat any discomfort with an over-the-counter pain reliever.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth 

How your Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie dentist treats your tooth sensitivity depends on what is causing it. If it is an enamel erosion issue, you may simply need to switch to a desensitizing toothpaste, prescription mouthwash, or topical fluoride. Should you be diagnosed with gum disease or a tooth infection, you may require antibiotics, a gum graft procedure, gum disease.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency?

A knocked-out tooth is considered an urgent dental emergency. In fact, the faster you get treatment, the better your odds of being able to save the tooth.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth

If you knock out a tooth, the first thing you should do is protect the fallen tooth. At Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie, we recommend you soak it in milk or saliva, or place it in an ADA approved tooth preservation kit. Never soak a fallen tooth in water, as this can damage it.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth 

Your Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie dentist will make every effort to save your lost tooth, however this may not always be possible. In the case that it cannot be re-implanted, your dentist will discuss tooth replacement options with you. These may include a bridge or a dental implant.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency?

When you get a filling or crown, it is only meant to last for about ten years. Thus, older ones may break or fall off. This is not considered an urgent dental emergency, however even if the tooth does not hurt, once it loses its restoration it becomes vulnerable to infection, so it is important to call Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown:

Should you lose a filling or crown try to locate the restoration and bring it with you to your appointment. While it is possible to temporarily reseat your crown using an over-the-counter dental cement kit, we do not recommend using this to repair a dental filling.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns:

For restorations that are still mostly intact, Care 32 Dental of Grand Prairie may be able to re-cement it back into place. Unfortunately, however, if the damage is too severe or if you cannot locate the restoration, you may need a replacement filling or crown.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Yes, which is why we recommend contacting our Grand Prairie dental team right away. In addition to scheduling an appointment, we will walk you through what to do in the meantime to prevent your restoration from breaking further.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture We usually recommend placing your restoration in a clean container instead of wearing it. That way, it doesn’t break any further and you don’t suffer any soft tissue injuries. Of course, calling us is also important; we want to start the process of repairing or replacing your dentures right away.

How We Treat Broken Dentures Hopefully, we can repair your dentures at our office. If that’s not possible because it has split down the middle or broken into several pieces, then we will need to have a new one made. We can also upgrade your dentures with dental implants at this time!

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTURES

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, because there’s a chance that it could fall out completely without emergency care! So, don’t wait – contact our Grand Prairie dental team ASAP to share what’s going on and to schedule a same-day visit.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth It’s crucial that you avoid doing anything that could loosen your tooth further, like wiggling it with your finger or eating chewy foods, like peanut butter. Instead, avoid chewing on that side of your mouth, don’t wiggle the tooth, and, of course, schedule an appointment with one of our talented emergency dentists.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth If your tooth is loose, but can be saved, then the solution will likely be a dental splint. If your tooth is loose but it cannot be saved, then we will need to carefully extract it before replacing it with a dental bridge or implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Usually, soft tissue injuries like these can be handled at home. That said, you’re more than welcome to give us a call if you have any questions – whether it’s about what to do or if you should go to the ER.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue First, rinse your mouth with clean water so you can locate the cut. Then, use gauze or a damp washcloth to apply pressure, stopping the bleeding in the process. You can use a cold compress to alleviate any lingering swelling too.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue Although rare, there are some cases where we can provide stitches. Typically, however, soft tissue injuries are either minor enough that they can be handled at home, or they are severe enough that they warrant a visit to the ER.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Jaw pain definitely warrants a call to our office if it is negatively impacting your day-to-day life. Once we know a little more about your symptoms, including how severe they are, we can determine if a same-day visit is necessary.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain To alleviate your discomfort in the short-term, we recommend eating only soft foods, using a cold compress for 10 minutes at a time, and taking OTC pain medication as directed.

How We Treat Jaw Pain Before we can provide a solution, we need to determine the problem. That’s why we review your dental history, take X-rays, and conduct an oral exam before reviewing your treatment options, like extracting problematic wisdom teeth.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If you get something stuck between your teeth, don’t panic. Instead, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm saltwater to loosen the debris. Then, use some floss to gently clean between your teeth. If that doesn’t work, then call us!