A dental emergency can be a frightening and often painful experience. Plus, as if that weren’t bad enough, it’s almost always inconvenient! For these reasons, we at Summer Creek Dentistry offer urgent dental care when you need us most. If you find yourself with a dental emergency in Fort Worth, call our dental office right away. Whether you are a patient of record or a new patient, we will be happy to assist you. We’ll be able to offer advice on how best to cope with the emergency at hand and, if necessary, we can schedule an appointment for immediate treatment.
Perhaps you’re not sure what an emergency dental visit involves. Well, don’t worry – Summer Creek Dentistry is here to lay out the basics. When you see us for urgent dental care, you can expect the following:
There are two general types of dental emergencies: an unexpected accident or injury to the mouth and a longer-term infection or toothache. If you’re not sure whether your situation is an emergency, call Summer Creek Dentistry anyway. We’d much rather see you for a non-emergency than have an actual emergency go untreated.
Of course, there are some situations that are unquestionable dental emergencies. Here are few of them and some ideas of what you can do until Dr. King sees you.
The cost of treating a dental emergency varies since each case has unique circumstances. That’s why we can’t provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost online. Regardless, we encourage every patient with a dental emergency to contact Summer Creek Dentistry. That way, Dr. King and our expert, caring staff can provide the care you need to alleviate any pain you’re experiencing and restore your oral health.
We mentioned above that the cost of emergency dental care varies because each case is unique. That’s true! For example, an infected tooth that requires root canal therapy may cost more to treat than a small cavity that requires a filling.
With all of that, you don’t have to worry – our friendly and experienced dental team won’t leave you in the dark about something as important as the cost. Quite the opposite: we will provide you with an estimate once we have an in-depth understanding of your dental needs, we’ve reviewed your treatment options, and we’ve solidified the details of your treatment plan.
Good news: in addition to covering essential preventive care, many dental insurance providers cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of restorative treatments. Some even offer complimentary emergency exams! So, if you are insured, it’s worth taking a look at the fine print on your plan to see if you have any available benefits.
If you aren’t familiar with your coverage or you have questions about the process of using your benefits, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’re proud to work with all major PPO dental plans, and we would be more than happy to provide you with the answers you’re looking for.
If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t let that stop you from scheduling an emergency visit! After all, we have several other payment options available, including:
In short, many common dental problems – from tooth decay to gum disease – are largely preventable with the right best practices in place. So, if you aren’t already, it’s important that you start incorporating healthy habits into your routine, like brushing and flossing consistently. It’s also vital that you schedule an appointment with us if you start to experience abnormal dental symptoms, like tender gums – even if your routine visit is a few months away. The sooner you come in, the sooner we can pinpoint (and treat!) the root of the problem.
Preventive measures (like the ones listed below) won’t just save your smile from harm; they will protect your wallet from a large bill. So, make them a priority! Then, if an accident happens or you start to experience abnormal dental symptoms, call our emergency dentist in Fort Worth ASAP so they can alleviate your pain and provide the restorative care you need.
To put it simply, visiting our dentist in Fort Worth every six months is vital to maintaining a healthy smile. After all, they use these visits to examine the condition of your teeth, gums, and existing dental work, looking for decay, inflammation, and other warning signs of trouble in the process. Then, the second portion of your visit (the cleaning) ensures plaque and tartar are removed before they build up and wreak havoc on your oral health.
Practicing excellent oral hygiene at home can help prevent tooth decay and other oral infections from developing. So, if you aren’t already, make sure that you’re using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day, and for two full minutes each time. Then, incorporate other healthy habits into your routine, like flossing and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash every night before bed.
Do you enjoy playing a contact sport, like football? Maybe you prefer a solo sport, like riding your bike, rollerblading, or running. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that you wear a protective mouthguard. Not only will this dramatically reduce the risk of you knocking out a tooth, but it will lower your chances of sustaining minor chips, cracks, and fractures too.
Tip: If you clench or grind your teeth at night, wear a custom nightguard to protect your smile!
Another way to prevent dental damage is by being mindful of what you eat. More specifically, not eating extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels and peanut brittle. Instead, opt for nutrient-dense, softer foods that won’t crack your tooth or lead to a cavity, like cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and oatmeal.
It’s also important that you drink lots of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and prevent dry mouth. If you do opt for something else, like a coffee or soda, make sure to use a straw.
In short, you should never try to tear open bags of chips or other packaging with your teeth. If you’re having trouble opening something, reach for the scissors instead! You also shouldn’t smoke, chew on ice cubes, bite your nails, or do anything else that has the potential to damage your enamel.
If you are having trouble breaking an unhealthy habit or two, don’t hesitate to talk to your dentist! They can share helpful resources and recommendations based on what has worked for previous patients.
Do you have questions about dental emergencies? Want to feel more confident should you have to face one in the future? Dr. King and the staff at Summer Creek Dentistry have compiled some frequently asked questions to help provide clarification and insight, so you can be better prepared to take care of your oral health while waiting to get in for your emergency appointment. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office .
Although most dental emergencies can be handled by Dr. King and her team of professionals, there are certain situations that require immediate medical attention, including:
Not only will you spend less time waiting to see your emergency dentist, but you will also receive start-to-finish treatment. A general doctor will only be able to treat your symptoms, whereas a dentist will look for the main cause of the problem and work to remedy it so that you do not need continual care for the same problem.
Yes. The reason is that just because the pain is gone doesn’t mean there isn’t a possible underlying problem. What can appear on the surface as something minor or menial can actually be something much more serious if not treated in a timely manner. When in doubt, always call and alert our team to the situation. It’s better to let us take a look and make sure your teeth and gums are in good shape after a dental accident.
No, if you are on vacation or out of town for any reason and you experience a dental emergency, find a local dental professional who will look at the problem and offer an immediate solution. Make sure to contact us so that we can make an appointment for when you return, but in the meantime, don’t let the pain and problem fester. Get the relief you need so you can continue to enjoy your time away. When you return, we will perform a quick examination to ensure no additional care is needed.
If you do not have dental insurance, you don’t need to forgo treatment when faced with a dental emergency. Accidents happen and when they do, our team will be available to help you navigate the available payment options to pay for the cost of your dental care. CareCredit financing is available for qualified individuals, offering low and no-interest loans to help you better manage your payments.
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I am Looking for a Dentist for My Child I am Concerned About Bleeding Gums I Have a Cavity or Broken Tooth I am Missing One or More Teeth I am Unhappy with My Smile I Need a Straighter Smile I am Scared of the Dentist View Our Services