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Fort Worth, TX 76123
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Emergency Dentist — Fort Worth, TX

Overcome Dental Pain with Our Expert Care

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.

Woman holding her jaw in pain before emergency dentistry in Fort Worth

Why Choose Summer Creek Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

A woman receiving treatment for a dental emergency

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:

 

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

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.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

A distraught woman rubbing her cheek while sitting in dental chair

The cost of treating a dental emergency varies since each case has unique circumstances. For example, an infected tooth that requires root canal therapy may cost more to treat than replacing a lost filling or crown.

Regardless, we encourage every patient with a dental emergency to contact Summer Creek Dentistry. Dr. King and our expert and caring staff will provide helpful advice in the moment and deliver the care you need to get you back to smiling in no time at all.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

A smiling woman in dental chair

Practicing excellent oral hygiene at home by brushing twice a day and flossing daily can help prevent tooth decay and other oral infections from developing. In addition, visiting your dentist in Fort Worth every six months for a routine dental exam and cleaning is vital to maintaining a healthy smile.

 

Other tips to prevent dental emergencies include:

Dental Emergency FAQs

A pensive woman sitting on a couch

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 .

What Scenarios Warrant a Visit to the Emergency Room?

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:

  • Continual bleeding from the mouth that does not stop after a few minutes
  • Swelling that will not go down
  • You have a fractured or broken jaw

Why is It Better to See a Dentist Instead of Going to the ER?

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.

My Toothache Pain Is Gone. Should I Still Come In?

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.

If I Experience a Dental Emergency While on Vacation, Should I Wait to Get Help?

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 I’m Not Insured, How Can I Pay for My Emergency Dental Treatment?

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.

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Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Not all toothaches are considered urgent situations, but you don’t want to ignore them completely, even one that’s minor. Since this can be an indication of infection, you’ll want to seek treatment from your dentist sooner rather than later. Be sure to schedule an appointment if you notice the following:

  • Throbbing pain when biting down
  • Lingering discomfort that lasts more than 24 hours
  • A small bump in the gums around the painful tooth
  • Signs of infection (such as a fever, swelling, and fatigue)

How you should handle a toothache: You should first try rinsing your mouth and then flossing around the tooth to loosen any debris or food particles that are stuck. If this doesn’t work, then you can notify your dentist for help. Until you can see them, be sure to take over-the-counter pain relievers or even an ice pack to minimize swelling.

How we treat toothaches: Our team will evaluate your oral health to detect the root of the toothache. We’ll recommend the best approach depending on what we find. Your treatment can involve getting a filling, a dental crown, antibiotics, gum disease treatment, root canal therapy, or an extraction.

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Learn More About Gum Disease Treatment

Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? A chipped tooth isn’t always a serious issue, but you’ll still want to get it fixed early on. Without treatment, even minor damage can leave it susceptible to further harm or infection. To avoid future complications, it’s best to get help from your dentist.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: Gather up any pieces you can find of your tooth and bring them with you to your appointment. You can also place a small amount of dental wax or sugar-free gum over the tooth to protect it and your soft oral tissues. Apply a cold compress on the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling that might occur.

How we treat chipped teeth: Most chipped teeth can be repaired with tooth-colored composite resin. Although, if the injury occurred on a highly visible tooth, then you might consider getting veneers for a longer-lasting solution.

Learn More About Dental Bonding

Learn More About Porcelain Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? A cracked tooth is definitely an emergency and will need to be treated as soon as possible. Leaving it unaddressed can make your smile vulnerable to bacteria, infection, and further damage, which can cause you more discomfort and complications in the long run. If you feel pain and sensitivity after taking a blow to the face, be sure to visit your dentist.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: Rinse your mouth carefully with lukewarm water to clear away any bacteria. If necessary, try taking over-the-counter painkillers or use a cold compress to alleviate discomfort. Don’t chew on that side of your mouth until you’ve had the tooth treated.

How we treat cracked teeth: If the damage is minor, then we might be able to repair it with composite resin. For more severe cracks, our team can fix and improve your tooth with a dental crown. If the tooth is beyond saving, then we may have to pull it out to protect the rest of your smile. We’ll go over your tooth-replacement options beforehand, like dental implants.

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? Although sensitive teeth usually don’t require same-day treatment, there are some exceptions. If you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease (like inflamed gums), the sensitivity is stemming from one tooth, or the discomfort has persisted or gotten worse over the last 24 hours, then we recommend calling our Fort Worth dental office right away so we can determine what the next best steps are.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth Naturally, one of your top priorities is minimizing sensitivity. Therefore, we recommend avoiding spicy, acidic, and sugary foods, as well as hot and cold beverages. You may also find it helpful to switch to a desensitizing toothpaste until Dr. King has a chance to treat the root of the problem.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth To determine the best course of action, Dr. King will need to conduct an oral exam. If the sensitivity is actually the result of gum disease, then she will work on restoring your healthy gums. If it’s stemming from a cavity, then she can remove the decayed tissue and restore the tooth with a tooth-colored filling or dental crown. Of course, there are some cases where switching to a prescription mouthwash and desensitizing toothpaste is all that’s needed as well!

LEARN MORE ABOUT GUM DISEASE TREATMENT

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL CROWNS

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes! There are two reasons for this. First, our Fort Worth emergency dentist needs to see you within 60 minutes of the incident for the highest likelihood of saving your tooth. Second, a knocked-out tooth can be quite painful and make eating, speaking, and sleeping comfortably near impossible.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Priority number one is calling our team. From there, we can schedule a time for you to come in and provide you with step-by-step instructions on what to do until you arrive. For example, after locating the tooth, pick it up by the dental crown and carefully place it in a cup of milk or saliva.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth If you have your tooth and it’s in good condition, then rest assured that we will take every measure to save it. Unfortunately, that’s not always feasible. In that case, we will review the tooth-replacement options available to you, such as a dental implant or bridge.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL BRIDGES

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? It is, especially if you’re in pain! Remember, the missing restoration leaves your tooth vulnerable to sensitivity, infection, and damage. So, it’s important that you don’t wait to contact our office. Over the phone, one of our knowledgeable team members can schedule a time for you to come in for treatment.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown If you’ve lost a dental crown, do your best to find it. If you are able to locate it, pick it up carefully and place it in a clean container for safekeeping. In both scenarios, it’s important not to chew on that side of your mouth and keep the area clear of bacteria by rinsing periodically with clean, room-temperature water.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns For lost dental fillings, our Fort Worth emergency dentist will simply replace them with new ones. The treatment for dental crowns depends on a few factors, including if you were able to locate the dental crown. If you were, then we may be able to recement it in place. If you couldn’t find it or it’s no longer in good condition, then the best solution may be ordering a new one.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL CROWNS

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency? Often enough, a broken denture is an urgent oral issue. Wearing one too long injures your gums, teeth, and mouth tissues. Therefore, it’s best to call your dentist when facing this dilemma.

How you should handle a broken denture: First and foremost, avoid wearing the denture if possible. Keeping it in your mouth will worsen its damage. Once that’s done, visit our office for repairs. DIY fixes won’t help the situation.

How we treat broken dentures: Our treatment differs based on your denture’s damage. If the appliance only has a small chip or crack, we could fill the latter with composite resin. More severe harm, meanwhile, may require denture readjustment. In the worst case, our team might have to replace your restorations.

<Learn More About Dentures>

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<Learn More About Dental Bridges>

Loose Permanent Tooth

Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency? Put simply, yes –  a loose permanent tooth is an emergency. It’ll likely fall out of your mouth if it isn’t addressed quickly and carefully. Should that happen, you’ll get a smile gap that hurts your oral health.

How you should handle loose permanent teeth: Before anything else, call our office at once. We’ll book you for a fast, same-day appointment if possible. While waiting for that visit, you can swish warm water to reduce mouth irritation.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: Ordinarily, we’ll try to save your tooth before it dies. If that’s not possible, though, we could pull the chomper with a tooth extraction service. Our team would then offer potential replacement options like dental implants or bridges.

<Learn More About Tooth Extractions>

<Learn More About Dental Implants>

<Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy> 

<Learn More About Nightguards>

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? If an oral injury leads to bleeding gums, lips, or tongue tissue, it’s an emergency. After all, your mouth suffers if you lose too much blood; the wound may also get infected. That said, the emergency can be a milder one when the bleeding is minor.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Start out by gently rinsing the cut with warm water. (With this action, you’ll remove any debris that’s present.) Your next step is to apply a washcloth or gauze to stem the bleeding. From there, use a cold compress to reduce any swelling.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: If the cut isn’t too bad, our team may be able to stitch it closed. In case it’s large or bleeds persistently, however, go to your local ER.

<Learn More About Mouthguards>

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Overall, jaw pain isn’t normally a dental emergency. The worst things to expect from it are just a few annoying symptoms. When the ache becomes chronic, though, you’ll want to see us immediately. You could develop serious oral health issues otherwise.

How you should handle jaw pain: Ahead of an in-office treatment, our staff can help you manage jaw pain over the phone. For instance, we often suggest that patients take OTC pain relievers, use ice packs to ease swelling, and more. These steps can manage your smile trouble until the future dental visit.

How we treat jaw pain: When a patient has jaw pain, we’ll often suggest that they get a nightguard. This appliance relieves jaw joints from the aches of teeth grinding. On the other hand, we could do an extraction if the pain’s cause is a wisdom tooth.

<Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism>

<Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction>

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

Is something stuck between the teeth a dental emergency? While it can be annoying, an object stuck between teeth is rarely an emergency. Still, it can become one if it’s causing a great deal of pain. When that happens, call our office – we’ll settle how and when to settle the problem.

How you should handle something stuck between the teeth: Even if you’re tempted, don’t use tweezers, toothpicks, or other sharp object to dislodge debris. For a better at-home solution, just floss and rinse near the affected area.

How we treat something stuck between the teeth: Dr. King and her team are well-equipped to remove foreign materials from between your teeth. If you can’t dislodge the troublesome object yourself, visit our office!