Emergency Dentistry Allen

We Address Dental Emergencies Right Away

Dental emergencies in Allen are frightening situations that can potentially befall anyone at any time. If you or a loved one ever suffers a broken tooth, knocked-out tooth, or a severe toothache, you can always reach out to Advanced Dental Care of Allen to get the fast and professional attention you need. We’re happy to move around our schedule to see emergency patients as quickly as possible so that no one is ever left waiting in pain.

 

Why Choose Advanced Dental Care of Allen for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Same-Day Appointments for Emergency Patients
  • Dental Team Focused on Your Comfort & Health
  • Additional Financing Available Through CareCredit

 

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

  • Step 1: Give Us a Call. As soon as you think you may be experiencing a dental emergency, give us a call. We’re often able to see emergency patients the same day they call us, and we’ll also give you first-aid instructions to use until your appointment.
  • Step 2: Get an Emergency Exam from Dr. Kar. Once you arrive, Dr. Kar will see you right away. He’ll focus primarily on alleviating any immediate discomfort and evaluating the state of your emergency.
  • Step 3: Review the Findings & Make a Plan. After a thorough evaluation of your oral structure, Dr. Kar will review his findings with you and fully explain all your treatment options, including which ones he recommends. Together, you’ll put together a plan to get your oral health back on track.
  • Step 4: Get the Quick, Comfortable, & Professional Care You Need. When you’ve made a plan, our talented and compassionate team will get to work right away. Whether you need a filling, crown, root canal, or something else entirely, we will focus on repairing your smile, protecting your teeth, and keeping you comfortable. For anxious or uncomfortable patients, we offer sedation options to help you feel as relaxed as possible.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies usually fall into one of two categories. They may be the result of a longstanding dental health issue that suddenly manifests itself in great pain, or they may be the result of trauma. Thankfully, your emergency dentist in Allen, Dr. Kar, is well-equipped to handle both types of situations with a variety of different treatments.

Below, you’ll find some of the most common dental emergencies, including how urgently they need to be treated, how they should be handled at home, and how we’re most likely to treat them. If you experience the following or any other dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call immediately.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

The last thing you should have to worry about while seeking out emergency dental care is whether or not you’ll be able to afford it. Unfortunately, this can be the case for many patients. At Advanced Dental Care of Allen, we believe that everybody should have access to fast and high-quality urgent dental care, which is why we offer several different financial options to make the process stress-free and easy. Below, you’ll find some different factors that go into the cost of emergency treatment and how we make dental care accessible.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

There are many ways to treat a dental emergency based on each patient’s specific situation. For example, a minor toothache can often be relieved using a small filling, while more major ones may require a root canal and crown. The cost of your treatment will depend on a variety of factors, including some of the following:

  • If you need restorative treatment after we’re able to relieve your pain, such as receiving a dental crown after root canal treatment.
  • How severely your teeth are damaged. The more work that’s required, the more costly the treatment will likely be.
  • Whether you have dental insurance that can cover all or a portion of the cost. Our team is more than happy to help you find out.

Essentially, there is no set price for emergency dental care because so many factors can influence it. If you ever need urgent attention, we’ll work to relieve your pain right away, and then we can discuss the options for repairing your smile.

Available Financing Options

At Advanced Dental Care of Allen, we offer several different financing options to make paying for your treatment as easy as possible, including Cherry, CareCredit, and Sunbit. We also have an In-House Savings Plan that costs just $299 per year for new patients and includes your basic preventive care without the hassle of dealing with insurance.

The Importance of Treating Emergencies Fast

Without timely treatment, dental emergencies typically get worse. This often results in the need for more invasive and costly treatments, which is why we recommend contacting our office as soon as you experience any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms. We’ll work quickly to see you the same day you schedule an appointment to make sure that you don’t have to spend the rest of the day in pain and anxious.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are stressful to handle, and it’s safe to say that nobody looks forward to experiencing one. If you could avoid the hassle of an unexpected visit to your emergency dentist and oral pain, wouldn’t you want to? Below, our team has highlighted some helpful tips to minimize your risk of experiencing an oral emergency to help save you time, money, and stress.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

The American Dental Association, along with our team at Advanced Dental Care of Allen, recommends visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These appointments are a key to preventive dental care because they allow us to catch small oral health problems before they have a chance to worsen, causing significant oral damage and resulting in a trip to our emergency dental office in Allen. Your preventive appointments also include a thorough cleaning, which can reduce your risk of cavities and infections.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

A good at-home oral hygiene routine can help prevent the formation of common problems, including cavities and gum disease. A few essential elements of effective oral hygiene include:

  • Brushing twice a day. Brush for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash. If you aren’t sure which mouthwash is right for you, ask your hygienist.
  • Flossing at least once a day. Floss cleans the tight spaces between the teeth that your toothbrush simply cannot get to.

Be Careful with Your Diet

You may not associate your daily diet with your oral health, but these two things go hand-in-hand. Harmful oral bacteria are responsible for the formation of common oral infections and feed off of sugars in plaque. By eating fewer processed foods and sweet treats, you’ll be able to minimize the build-up of bacteria in your mouth and maintain a healthy oral microbiome. It would also be wise to reduce your intake of acidic foods and beverages because they can weaken your enamel.

Protect Your Pearly Whites

If you play sports or have a condition called bruxism, where you grind and clench your teeth while you sleep, using a mouthguard is an important step to take to avoid damaging your smile. We provide custom-crafted acrylic mouthguards that are made to offer maximized protection from forceful grinding or a traumatic injury. They are much more comfortable than over-the-counter mouthguards, and they offer greater protection against knocked-out teeth, jaw injuries, and other oral injuries during sports.

Use Tools, Not Teeth, to Open Packaging

It may be tempting to use your teeth to open a package that came in the mail or rip off a price tag on a new shirt that you just bought, but it’s best that you don’t! Teeth are quite durable, but they are not invincible; they can easily break or chip when they are exposed to too much force. Grab a pair of scissors or use another appropriate tool when you might otherwise use your teeth to accomplish a certain task. Doing this could prevent dental emergencies in Allen.

Dental Emergency FAQs

When should I go to the ER?

If you’re experiencing a severe emergency that is life-threatening or requires immediate medical attention, always visit your local ER before. This includes:

  • Dislocated, fractured, or broken jaw
  • Bleeding that hasn’t stopped in 10 minutes
  • Swelling that’s making it hard to swallow or breathe

At your local ER, they’ll be able to provide you with treatment to stabilize you and ease your pain. Once that’s taken care of, you can schedule an appointment with our office to address any dental concerns, such as broken or chipped teeth.

Will my toothache get better on its own?

Although we’d all like to believe that a severe toothache will simply disappear on its own, that’s commonly not the case. When problems are left untreated, they usually only get worse, resulting in the need for more invasive and extensive treatments and procedures. That’s why it’s best to visit our office as soon as you notice any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms. With early intervention, we’ll be able to take care of the problem, prevent additional damage, and ease your pain so you no longer have to be stressed or worried.

How can I bring down facial swelling & dental pain?

Facial swelling is a common occurrence due to tooth infections and dental trauma. To help ease your discomfort and bring down any puffiness, you can place a cold compress on the affected area for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for up to an hour. This will help slow the reaction of the nerves in that area as well, helping you feel more comfortable.

If you’re experiencing oral pain, you can use an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen to help. It’s best to avoid aspirin, because if you have a tooth infection and it comes into contact with the gums in that area, it can cause a burning sensation. If you have any questions or are concerned about using certain products, you can always contact our office and ask us firsthand. Our dental staff would be more than happy to help.

Are root canals painful?

Many patients who have toothaches are concerned about potentially needing root canal treatment. Although many people have a fear of the treatment itself being painful, it’s actually the toothache caused by the infection that’s the worst part. After you get a root canal, your toothache will be cured and you’ll be much more comfortable. Plus, before your procedure, we’ll make sure that you don’t feel any pain by administering a local anesthetic to the affected area beforehand.

What should I do if I have a dental emergency outside your office hours?

Although we offer extended and convenient hours, accidents can still happen outside of when we’re open. If you suffer from a dental emergency and our office is closed, still contact us. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible to help you address any issues and schedule an urgent visit. If your problem is putting you in severe pain, affecting your ability to breathe and chew, or involves a broken or fractured jawbone, visit your local emergency room. Once you’ve received urgent medical treatment, be sure to contact our emergency dentist in Allen afterward so we can take care of any of your dental needs and get your smile up-and-running again.

What should I include in a dental emergency kit?

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for whatever problems come your way. Dental emergencies always occur at the most inconvenient and stressful times, and even if you’re careful, they can still happen. That’s why it’s a good idea to make a dental emergency kit to take with you on road trips and keep at home. Here are some products you’ll want to include in it:

  • Saline solution.
  • Prepackaged gauze pads.
  • A handkerchief or cloth.
  • A small container that can be secured shut.
  • Sterile gloves.

It helps if all of your items are individually packaged so you can avoid spreading germs and keep anything that would be going into your mouth sterile. This way, you can avoid bacteria transfer that could potentially make a dental emergency worse than it already is.

Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches are often a sign of infections that have developed deep beneath the surface of the enamel, within the inner chamber. While some cases are considered mild, others require urgent dental attention.

How you should handle a toothache: Whether you are struggling with a sharp, stabbing tooth pain or something milder, attempt to alleviate the discomfort by gently flossing, which should dislodge any food particles or debris. Next, rinse with a mixture of salt and warm water. This at-home remedy is a natural disinfectant and pain reliever. If the pain persists, however, you can take ibuprofen to reduce soreness and aches.

How we treat toothaches: Dr. Kar will need to conduct an oral examination to determine the best treatment option for your toothache. Depending on the cause, you may need anything from a filling to root canal treatment or an extraction. Rest assured – we’ll do everything we can to save the natural structure of your tooth!

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? If you chip or break a tooth, do your best to stay calm. While it’s not necessarily an emergency, you should still schedule an appointment with Dr. Kar as soon as possible. Otherwise, leaving it untreated can lead to serious complications down the line.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: To mitigate any swelling, place a cold compress against the outside of your cheek for 10 minutes at a time. If part of your tooth was dislodged, collect the pieces, place them in a sealable container, and bring them with you to your appointment.

How we treat chipped teeth: Dr. Kar can usually fix a chip with tooth-colored composite resin. However, you can ask about getting a veneer if you’ve damaged a highly visible tooth and are worried about your appearance.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a small crack in the enamel can put your tooth at risk of infection and further damage. Contact us right away if you’ve cracked your tooth, especially if you experience pain or sensitivity.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to wash away any lingering bacteria. If needed, you can use a cold compress or take over-the-counter pain medication to ease your discomfort. Make sure you avoid chewing on the injured side of your mouth while you wait for your appointment.

How we treat cracked teeth: We usually address cracked teeth with custom-made dental crowns. However, Dr. Kar may also be able to restore the tooth with the same material used for dental fillings. If your tooth is damaged beyond repair, an extraction might be the best solution.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Tooth sensitivity can often be due to minor problems that aren’t considered urgent situations, like thinning enamel or a cavity. But this condition can also be an indication of something serious, including gum disease or an oral infection. If your tooth sensitivity persists or becomes worse, be sure to notify our team right away for help.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Notify our office if you’re experiencing severe or chronic tooth sensitivity. We’ll evaluate your oral health and determine the root cause of your situation so that we can develop the proper treatment plan for you. In some instances, we recommend desensitizing toothpaste to keep you more comfortable while cleaning your pearly whites. As you wait for your treatment, make sure to take over-the-counter pain medications as instructed and keep your mouth clean by rinsing with water (preferably salt water).

How we treat tooth sensitivity: Your chosen treatment will depend on the reason for your tooth sensitivity. In many instances, you might simply need to get a filling or undergo fluoride treatment. For more severe situations, like gum disease or an infection, we might have to perform periodontal therapy or a root canal.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism

Learn More About Periodontal Therapy

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? A knocked-out tooth will need to be treated right away if you want to save it. This usually means you should reach your dentist within 30-60 minutes for the best chance of reimplanting your fallen tooth. While you wait or make your way to our office, you’ll need to focus on keeping it viable with the following instructions.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Always handle a tooth by the top side (crown) and never the bottom side, as the latter will increase the risk of damaging the root surface cells. Instead of using soap to scrub it clean, simply rinse it with water while being careful not to remove any tissue from the tooth. If possible, you can try placing the tooth back in its socket or storing it between your gums and cheek. For a safer alternative, store it in a container of saline solution or milk.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: Our team will do everything possible to save your tooth and place it back in its socket. If possible, we’ll try to splint your tooth to another healthy one nearby to support it while it heals. If this isn’t a viable option, we’ll then discuss solutions for replacing your missing tooth, such as a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implant.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Dental crowns and fillings will eventually have to be replaced later on, so it isn’t the end of the world if you lose one. However, you won’t want to leave your underlying tooth exposed for long without the restoration. Make sure to visit our team so that we can help you avoid further complications to your oral health, such as damage to your tooth or a dental infection.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Refrain from using household products to fix your filling or crown, such as super glue, as they can be extremely hazardous to humans when ingested. Make sure to rinse your mouth frequently and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth until you’ve been treated. Take pain relievers as necessary and consider using toothpaste, dental cement, or even sugar-free gum to temporarily keep your dental crown in place. The same should not be done with a filling.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: Most of the time, a lost filling will need to be replaced with a new one. Lost dental crowns, however, might simply require having them recemented in place as long as they remain in great condition. If not, then our team will replace them with a brand-new one to avoid future complications.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Dentures  

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Broken dentures are a dental emergency, even if the damage seems relatively minor. Our Allen dentist needs to inspect them before you wear them again to ensure that they will function optimally without posing any risks to your oral health.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Handling this situation correctly is more about what you shouldn’t do. For example, you shouldn’t put off getting in touch with us or use super glue to try and repair your dentures at home. The best thing to do is simple: schedule an appointment with our team.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: There are a few options, including repairing your existing dentures, providing you with new ones, or upgrading your traditional dentures to implant dentures.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth  

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? There’s no doubt about it: a loose permanent tooth warrants a call to our Allen dental office. That way, we can learn more about your dental emergency and schedule a time to administer the necessary treatment.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Do not use your fingers or your tongue to touch your tooth since this can loosen it further. Additionally, you should rinse with clean, lukewarm water and take over-the-counter pain medication as needed. Chewing on that side of your mouth should be avoided as well.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: We may be able to use a dental splint to give your tooth the support it needs. If that’s not feasible, then we may recommend extracting the tooth before replacing it with a dental bridge, dental implant, or another tooth-replacement solution.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue  

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Soft tissue injuries can be scary, but they don’t usually require a same-day visit to our Allen dental office. However, if you’ve been applying pressure to the cut for 10 minutes and it’s still bleeding, then you should head to the ER for medical attention.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: To stop the blood, rinse the wound thoroughly with clean water before applying pressure with a damp washcloth. If your gums, lips, or tongue are a bit swollen, then you can place a cold compress against the inflamed area to reduce puffiness as well.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: Although we typically don’t treat soft tissue injuries, you should go to the ER if the cut continues to bleed after 10 minutes of applying pressure.

Jaw Pain  

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? It’s certainly possible, which is why you shouldn’t ignore your jaw pain. If you have fractured or broken your jaw, then head to the ER. If, on the other hand, it’s simply causing you discomfort and the pain has persisted for more than 24 hours, call our team to schedule an appointment.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: To alleviate inflammation and temporarily numb the area, you can place a cold compress against your jaw for 10 minutes at a time. You can prevent additional discomfort by not chewing anything crunchy and taking an OTC pain reliever as directed.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: The first step is taking X-rays and examining your jaw. Most often, chronic pain is the result of an untreated oral health issue, like bruxism, TMJ dysfunction, or an impacted wisdom tooth.

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extractions

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

If something is stuck between your teeth, don’t just assume it will eventually come loose. Instead, take active measures to dislodge it, like using some floss to clean between your teeth. Never use a toothpick, tweezers, or any other sharp objects since this can result in additional issues, like a serious soft tissue injury. If you aren’t having any success removing the debris, then get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment.