Emergency Dentist – Arlington, TX
Immediate Care When You Need It Most
Emergencies are never expected. While there are things you can do to help prevent emergencies, some are unavoidable, and when they happen, we are here to help. At South Arlington Dental Care, we want to be a safe place for patients of all ages. Don’t wait to reach out – contact us right away so we can schedule an emergency appointment for you. If you’re unable to reach our office right away, we can provide guidance on how to manage your situation until our emergency dentist, Dr. Prachi Shah , can give you the relief you need through expert care.
Why Choose South Arlington Dental Care for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Visits
- Dentist Certified in Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Practice That Accepts Insurance and Offers Financing
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
The treatment process varies depending on the problem you’re facing, but there is a general structure that we follow to put a stop to your pain and save your smile:
- Schedule an Emergency Appointment: When you get in touch with our office, we’ll ask questions to gather as much information as possible about your situation. Then we’ll set up your emergency appointment. (We’ll try to schedule it on the same day as your call whenever we can.)
- Perform a Thorough Examination: We’ll need to learn more about your specific dental issue before we can treat it. During our emergency examination, we may take X-rays to help us identify the source of the problem.
- Review Our Findings: We’ll explain what we found during our examination and make sure that you understand the exact nature of your emergency. Then we’ll review your options for treatment.
- Treat Your Smile: We’ll tailor your treatment plan according to the nature of your dental emergency and how severe it is. For example, we might treat an infected tooth with root canal therapy.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Knowing if an injury is worth a visit to the dentist isn’t always easy. Should you experience any problems, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and call to speak to a member of our team. After evaluating the situation, they can determine if you should get in right away or wait to see if the symptoms subside. Below are some of the most common emergencies that our team treats.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
At South Arlington Dental Care, we are pleased to serve as an in-network provider for many dental insurance policies (i.e., Delta Dental, Dental Network of America, Cigna, Aetna, and BlueCross BlueShield), but we also accept and file all major PPO insurance plans. If you are uninsured, or if your out-of-pocket expenses are still too much for you to pay at one time, we do offer financing with CareCredit, which will allow you to enroll in a low-interest or no-interest payment plan.
Finally, our office does provide a VIP Savings Plan for patients who wish to pay a single fee each year for services.
No matter the cost of treating your dental emergency, we can identify a plan that will help you stay within your budget while getting the help you need.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Making good oral health decisions can lower the odds of a dental emergency occurring. Here are some good habits to practice:
- Remember to brush two times a day and floss daily. Consider setting a reminder on your phone so that you don’t forget.
- Eat fewer foods that are high in sugar and starch.
- Wear a nightguard when you go to bed. This helps stop your teeth from becoming worn down due to bruxism.
- Visit our office for routine checkups and cleanings. You should plan on visiting the dentist twice every year.
Frequently Asked Questions - Emergency Dentistry
At South Arlington Dental Care, your emergency dentist is ready to help when problems arise. Whether they’re due to poor oral health or traumatic injury, it’s important that you know we’re here to provide the level of care you need, especially when you need it most. But before you make it to our office, we want you to have the information and tools you need to handle the situation on your own. To do this, we’ve compiled some frequently asked questions about dental emergencies. Review them and feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.
How do I know if I’m having a dental emergency?
When trying to determine if the problem you’re experiencing is, in fact, a dental emergency, there are a few ways you can tell, such as if you’re bleeding, you’re experiencing swelling, or you’ve fractured, chipped, or broken a tooth. It’s always best to err on the side of caution when dealing with injuries that are related to your teeth, gums, or facial structure. These types of injuries do not heal on their own, so when they occur, it’s in your best interest to contact our office and alert us to the issue. We will be happy to walk you through the steps to take while at home, and we’ll quickly schedule an appointment.
What can I take to help with tooth pain?
Toothaches can be very annoying. The throbbing and aching pain radiating through your mouth can make your neck and shoulders tense up, and your head might start to hurt as well. Before we are able to see you in our office, there are a few things you can do to manage tooth pain at home, including:
- Gargling with a salt and hot water mixture to reduce irritation and aching.
- Using a cold compress or ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
- Gargling with hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Using a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar to help with swelling and discomfort.
How do I remove an object that’s stuck in my teeth?
The best way to remove something that is stuck between your teeth is with dental floss. The key is to carefully move the floss back and forth between your teeth to dislodge the object. If that doesn’t work, a water flosser might be able to help.
Remember, never use tools such as pliers, forks, knives, tweezers, or any other sharp object to remove a stuck item, as they can do much more harm to your teeth and gums.
How long does a toothache last?
This answer mostly depends on what is causing the toothache. If your pain lasts longer than 1-2 days, you should seek treatment right away. If there is something stuck between your teeth and you can dislodge it, you should experience relief almost immediately; however, if there is a more harmful underlying problem such as an infection, the pain will likely continue until treatment is administered.
Never underestimate a toothache. While you might think it will go away on its own, it may not, which is why timely care is important to protect your overall oral health.
Should I go to the emergency room?
This is a question asked by many patients who have experienced a dental emergency. A dental professional will often be able to effectively handle your situation and recommend treatment options. However, if you are suffering from continual bleeding, swelling, or a fractured or broken jaw, you should get to your local emergency room as soon as possible.