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¡Se Habla Español! • Insurance/Medicaid • Dental Emergencies
(254) 727-7144 4311 W Adams Ave Suite 201
Temple, TX 76504
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Emergency Dentist — Temple, TX

Fast Care for Your Dental Emergency

Whether it’s a toothache that has developed as a result of poor dental hygiene or dental damage that occurred due to an accident, a dental emergency can strike you at any time. When you call Temple Choice Dental for an emergency appointment, we’ll strive to schedule your visit on the same day whenever possible. The sooner you get in touch with us for help, the sooner you can find the relief that you need with emergency dentistry in Temple, TX. If you need fast care for your dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Woman with toothache should visit her Temple emergency dentist

Why Choose Temple Choice Dental for Emergency Dental Care?

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Man with toothache in Temple should visit his emergency dentist in Temple

You need to have a firm grasp on what to do in the event of a dental emergency so that you can prevent the damage from getting even worse. In general, you need to stay calm and focus on limiting the pain and protecting the tooth. From there, all you need to do is follow these four easy steps:

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Some dental emergencies are the result of an injury or accident, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth. However, others come about gradually because of poor oral hygiene or bad habits, like toothaches and sensitive teeth. At Temple Choice Dental, we are well-equipped to address either type of emergency quickly and comfortably so you can get back to enjoying your healthy, pain-free smile. Even if you’re unsure if you need urgent treatment, we encourage you to give us a call anyways! Below, you’ll find some of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Temple Choice Dental.

Toothaches

Chipped Tooth

Cracked Tooth

Sensitivity to Hot & Cold

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Tooth

Gums, Lips or Tongue Injury

Jaw Pain or Clenching

Something Stuck Between Teeth

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Man smiles after toothache treatment in Temple

It’s good to know how to handle the most common dental emergencies, but naturally, your smile will be much better off if you can avoid these scary situations altogether! To keep your risk at a minimum, it’s important to take steps to protect your teeth from damage and decay. Here are the five best ways to prevent dental emergencies in Temple.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Woman visiting her Temple dentist for dental checkup

Using your teeth to open a bag of chips, package, bottle, or other container may feel like a convenient shortcut in the moment, but it could easily cost you a lot more time and money in a flash! Every time you use your teeth on anything that isn’t food, your enamel is worn down. Before you know it, one wrong move could send you on a trip to our Temple emergency dental office with a broken tooth! Always keep the right tools somewhere easy to reach so you’re not tempted to use your teeth instead.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Man brushing his teeth to prevent dental emergencies in Temple

While many dental emergencies are a result of an unavoidable accident, most come about from poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush, floss, and take care of your teeth every day, the plaque and bacteria buildup can lead to severe toothaches, serious infections, and even tooth loss! Practicing great dental hygiene habits like flossing daily and brushing for two minutes twice a day is essential for keeping these dental emergencies at bay.

Be Careful with Your Diet

Two friends eating healthy to prevent dental emergencies in Temple

What you choose to eat and drink every day has a significant impact on the health of your teeth and your risk of dental emergencies. Overindulging in hard foods like popcorn and ice, sugary snacks like sticky or hard candies, or acidic beverages such as soda and sports drinks can dramatically weaken your teeth and leave them more vulnerable to sensitivity, damage, and infection. Instead, choose healthier foods that can help keep your smile strong and healthy, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and foods with lots of calcium.

Protect Your Pearly Whites

Closeup of woman in boxing gloves holding mouthguard in Temple

Are you active or do you play sports? Do you grind your teeth in your sleep? If so, then it’s time to invest in a custom-made mouthguard. A sudden blow to the face can easily break or knock out teeth that aren’t protected by a sports mouthguard. Similarly, long-term exposure to the extra pressure that comes with teeth grinding will wear down your enamel and potentially crack your teeth if you don’t wear a nightguard. We make custom-made mouthguards to give our patients the best protection, so feel free to ask us about them during your next checkup!

Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging

Man using tools to open packages to prevent dental emergency in Temple

Using your teeth to open a bag of chips, package, bottle, or other container may feel like a convenient shortcut in the moment, but it could easily cost you a lot more time and money in a flash! Every time you use your teeth on anything that isn’t food, your enamel is worn down. Before you know it, one wrong move could send you on a trip to our Temple emergency dental office with a broken tooth! Always keep the right tools somewhere easy to reach so you’re not tempted to use your teeth instead.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Mother and daughter visiting an emergency dentist in Temple

How severe is the damage to your teeth and gums? What sort of treatments will be required? These questions need to be considered carefully before we can give you a reliable estimate of the cost of treating your dental emergency. We will always aim for cost-effective, conservative treatments whenever we’re able, and we’ll work with your insurance company to make sure that you get the coverage that you’re entitled to keep your out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Dentist explaining cost of emergency dentistry in Temple to patients

Without knowing the exact cause of your emergency or the severity, it’s extremely difficult to know how much your treatment will cost. That’s why it’s crucial that you visit our office so we can perform an exam. While some dental emergencies have relatively simple treatments, (i.e. dental fillings), others require more time and effort to perform (i.e. root canal therapy, extractions etc.) The costs of the latter are generally more expensive than the former, but we’ll always break down your options with you directly before performing a treatment or charging you for care.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Person pressing keyboard button labeled “dental insurance”

In most cases, dental insurance plans will offer some form of coverage for one annual emergency exam. Common restorative services designed to resolve dental emergencies like root canal therapy, crowns, and extractions will generally receive partial coverage, ranging anywhere from 80% to 50%. Every plan is unique, which means you shouldn’t assume your plan maintains this coverage. Confirm the details of your insurance company first before making any commitment to treatment. Our team will be happy to help you facilitate this process as well.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Dentist explaining cost of emergency dentist in Temple

If you do not have dental insurance or it doesn’t offer the coverage you were hoping, there are other solutions that can help make your care more affordable. Our office is happy to accept Medicaid and CHIP to help cover the costs associated with dental emergencies. Additionally, third-party financing options like CareCredit allow you to pay for dental services over several months in smaller, low-to-no interest payments to make treatment easier to fit into your budget. To take advantage of our limited dental emergency visit special, be sure to mention it at your next appointment.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Woman receiving a dental exam from an emergency dentist in Temple

It’s fair to say that some dental emergencies can be completely unavoidable, such as an accidental fall or other sudden injury. Thankfully, most dental emergencies can be avoided when you take proper care of your oral health and invest in routine dental care. While his includes at-home brushing and flossing, it also means staying on top of routine checkups and cleanings. Both of these habits as well as others can help you save hundreds and even thousands of dollars on dentistry in the long-term.

The moment you become aware of dental pain or a damaged tooth, the best thing you can do is get it taken care of right away, especially if you’re concerned about costs. Allowing an issue to worsen over time only increases the risk that you’ll need more extensive and expensive services to restore your oral health. Even minor issues like small cavities restored with a dental filling are cheaper and more ideal to complete than a full-blown root canal or tooth extraction.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s 

Man with toothache in Temple wonders if he should visit his emergency dentist

When you need fast care for your dental emergency, it’s important to have as much information ahead of time as possible. That way, you can keep a level head while acting quickly and correctly! While we hope you never have to deal with a dental emergency, we want to make sure you’re prepared for one just in case. Here are some of the most common questions we get about dental emergencies and how to handle them. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

What Can I Do to Be Prepared for a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies are almost always sudden, unexpected, and somewhat overwhelming, but there are some steps you can take to be prepared for them. Consider making or buying a dental first aid kit and keep it in your purse, car, or medicine cabinet for easy access. It should contain clean gauze, pain relievers, floss, a small container, and other helpful items for an emergency situation. You could even buy a tooth preservation kit or dental cement to have on hand in case a tooth, filling, or crown falls out. Most importantly, you should save our number in your phone so you can call us immediately if an emergency strikes.

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of an Emergency Dentist?

Most ERs can stabilize a dental emergency, but they typically aren’t equipped to treat the underlying issue. You’ll almost always save time, money, and hassle by giving us a call to repair your smile first. However, you should go directly to your local emergency room for:

  • A dislocated or broken jaw
  • Bleeding in the mouth that hasn’t stopped in 10 minutes
  • Swelling in the mouth, jaw, or face that’s making it difficult to swallow or breathe

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency?

Any toothache should be looked at in a timely manner, but most aren’t a major cause for concern. However, sometimes dental pain is a warning sign of a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Give us a call right away if your toothache is accompanied by:

  • Darkening or discoloration of the painful tooth
  • Pain that is severe, long-lasting, or seems to be getting worse
  • A small, pimple-like bump on the gums by the painful tooth
  • Loose permanent teeth
  • Signs of infection, such as discharge between teeth, swelling, or a fever

Do I Still Have to Go to the Dentist If My Toothache Goes Away?

Remember: teeth can’t heal themselves like the rest of your body. Problems like cavities, chipped teeth, and dental infections won’t just go away on their own. If your toothache suddenly goes away or if a painful tooth goes numb, it’s likely that the underlying issue has gotten worse, not better! In fact, the dental nerve may be seriously injured and your tooth may be at risk of falling out, even if it’s no longer hurting! You should always come see us to evaluate a toothache, even if it goes away.

Have more questions? Not sure if you’re experiencing a dental emergency? Give us a call to get the fast, compassionate help you need!

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Toothache

Is my child’s toothache an emergency? The vast majority of minor toothaches in children are caused by issues like cavities or enamel erosion, which don’t warrant emergency care. However, while all toothaches should be seen by a dentist in a timely manner, some require immediate attention. Your child’s toothache is an emergency if they are also experiencing:

  • Severe pain that lasts for several hours
  • A small bump on the gums near the painful tooth
  • Discoloration or looseness in the painful tooth
  • Swelling in the gums around the painful tooth
  • Fever, fatigue, or other signs of infection

How you should handle your child’s toothache: First, try flossing around the painful tooth to dislodge any debris that may be causing the problem. If the pain persists, you can have them rinse their mouth out with plain water or salt water to clean the area. Then, you can use acetaminophen according to its instructions and apply an ice pack to the outside of the face for 10 minutes at a time.

How we treat toothaches in children: Since there are so many things that can cause a toothache, how we treat your child’s symptoms will depend largely on the root issue. They may need a tooth-colored filling or dental sealant to treat a cavity. In more serious cases, they may need a tooth extraction or root canal therapy to fully address the toothache.

Learn More About Emergency Dental Treatments for Kids

Chipped Tooth

Is my child’s chipped tooth an emergency? Although scary, most chipped teeth do not need immediate emergency dental care. That being said, should your little one chip one of their pearly whites, we will want to see them right away for treatment. Enamel cannot repair itself or grow back, so it’s important we see your child before the damage gets worse.

How you should handle your child’s chipped tooth: First, have your child rinse their mouth out with water to make sure there are no pieces of the tooth left in their mouth. If your child is young, you may also want to look inside their mouth to double check this. The chipped tooth can be covered with sugarless gum or dental wax to prevent sensitivity if needed. Keep your child from biting or chewing anything hard or sticky until we can see them.

How we treat children’s chipped teeth: Many times, we can fill in the chipped portion of the tooth with tooth-colored resin for seamless repair. If your teen has chipped a permanent front tooth, you may be interested in investing in a veneer for them. Though somewhat pricey, these thin shells of dental porcelain offer optimal protection and aesthetics.

Learn More About Emergency Dental Treatments for Kids

Cracked Tooth

Is my child’s cracked tooth an emergency? Not only are broken teeth often very scary and painful, but they put the whole tooth in danger! An untreated cracked tooth can lead to irreparable damage or a serious infection, so you should call us immediately if your child sustains one. Remember, not all cracks in the teeth are easily seen! If your child starts complaining of a toothache or tooth sensitivity sometime after taking a blow to the face or biting down on something hard, there may be hidden damage.

How you should handle your child’s cracked tooth: Have your child rinse their mouth out with water to clean the area and wash away bacteria. If needed, you can cover the damaged tooth with sugarless gum or dental wax to minimize sensitivity. Children’s acetaminophen or an ice pack can be administered to manage discomfort. If possible, have your child refrain from eating or chewing until we can treat them.

How we treat children’s cracked teeth: The treatment we recommend for your child’s cracked tooth will depend on the severity of the damage. Sometimes, we can simply fill in the damaged areas with tooth-colored fillings. For seriously injured teeth, we may need to extract them. However, the most common treatment for a cracked tooth is a custom-made dental crown.

Learn More About Emergency Dental Treatments for Kids

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency?: Tooth sensitivity develops as a result of the tooth roots becoming more exposed due to eroded enamel. However, it can appear for a variety of reasons. For example, you may be brushing too hard, have a highly acidic diet, or simply use too many whitening products. While changing these habits is relatively easy, they aren’t the only potential causes of your sensitivity. More serious concerns like chronic teeth grinding and clenching, a cracked tooth or filling, deep cavities, and even infections could be the cause. If you notice your sensitivity becoming chronic, severe, or turning into pain, call our office.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: Call our office to report your symptoms. We’ll be able to confirm if you should come visit us immediately or on the next business day. Drink plenty of lukewarm water and avoid eating foods or beverages that are spicy, acidic, or sweet. Take painkillers as needed.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: The treatment we recommend depends on what’s causing your symptoms. For example, we may only need to recommend fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel as well as changes in at-home habits. However, more complex solutions like root canal therapy or gum disease treatment may be necessary.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Gum Disease Therapy

Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Is a knocked-out baby tooth an emergency? Even though the baby teeth are destined to fall out, it is always better if this is allowed to happen naturally. However, should a baby tooth fall out due to an accident or injury before it was beginning to loosen, we will want to see your child right away. We need to ensure that the surrounding teeth, the gums, and the permanent tooth underneath are not damaged and to determine if the situation needs to be treated.

How you should handle a knocked-out baby tooth: Unlike a permanent tooth, do NOT try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth. Try to get it out of your child’s mouth, but don’t panic if they accidentally swallow it. Have your child rinse their mouth out with water, and any bleeding can be quelled with a piece of gauze or a wet washcloth.

How we treat knocked out baby teeth: First, we will check to make sure there isn’t any damage to the nearby teeth, the gums, or the underlying permanent tooth. Depending on how far along the permanent tooth underneath is towards erupting, we may recommend placing a space maintainer. This device will ensure your child’s teeth stay put, preventing shifting teeth that potentially trap the permanent tooth underneath.

However, in many cases, no treatment will be needed.

Learn More About Emergency Dental Treatments for Kids

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency?: Dental restorations will not last forever, even if you take the best possible care of them. Eventually, your dental filling or crown will need replacement. If your filling or dental crown comes out, give us a call to schedule an appointment and get it replaced.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Locate your restoration if possible and bring it with you to our office. Dental fillings should not be placed back into the mouth if they come out, but dental crowns could be temporarily reseated with dental cement if you have it. This should not be considered a permanent solution.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: Restorations that are still intact may be replaceable, but only if they are still relatively new. Old, worn down, or broken restorations will more than likely need a full-blown replacement.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

Learn More About Metal-Free Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency?: Wearing a damaged denture can harm your jaw, gums, soft tissue, and existing teeth if you have any. Avoid wearing the denture for now and call our office as soon as possible.

How to handle a broken denture: You can use an older denture if you’d like, but this is not considered a permanent solution. Avoid using denture repair kits which can easily break the denture further. Keep the broken denture submerged in water to prevent it from drying out.

How we treat broken dentures: Depending on the type and severity of the damage, we may recommend composite resin to fill small chips and cracks. The denture could need readjustment as well to fit properly. If the denture cannot be fixed, we may recommend a new one. This could be either a traditional option or one designed to attach to dental implants.

Learn More About Dentures

Learn More About Dental Implants

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Is a knocked-out permanent tooth an emergency? While we can replant a knocked-out permanent tooth, we can only do so if you come to see us within an hour or so of the accident, so be sure to move quickly in this situation! Additionally, you’ll need to handle and store the tooth properly in order to keep it viable.

How you should handle a knocked out permanent tooth: Find the tooth if possible and handle it by the crown portion only. Avoid touching the roots! Rinse the tooth with water only and DO NOT use any soap or scrub the tooth unnecessarily. Look for any fractures. If the tooth is in one piece, do your best to reinsert it back into the empty socket it came from. Once in place, have your child bite down on gauze to keep it in place. Alternatively, the tooth can be stored in the mouth between the cheeks and the gums.

However, neither of these options are recommended for a young, irresponsible, or panicking child. To prevent accidental swallowing or choking, the tooth can also be stored in a cup or container of milk or saliva. Do NOT store the tooth in plain water. The tooth needs to be kept moist to stay viable, but plain water can damage the cells on the tooth’s roots. Get to our dental office as quickly as possible.

How we treat knocked-out permanent teeth: If the tooth is still viable and undamaged by the time you reach our office, we may be able to save it. We’ll place the tooth back in its socket if you have not yet done so, then secure it to the surrounding teeth to encourage it to heal back in place. However, if we aren’t able to save the tooth, we’ll discuss your child’s tooth replacement options.

Learn More About Emergency Dental Treatments for Kids

Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek

Is a bitten tongue, lip, or cheek an emergency? If your child is adventurous, clumsy, or athletic, they may end up with a cut on their tongue, lips, or cheek. While these injuries may bleed a lot, they are often no cause for panic. In fact, most of these situations can be easily contained at home!

How you should handle your child’s soft tissue injury: Have your child rinse their mouth out with water. Rinsing with saltwater can kill bacteria and ease inflammation, but plain water works just as well in a pinch. Once the area is clean, press and hold a piece of gauze or a wet washcloth over the injury to stop the bleeding. Once the bleeding has subsided, your child can apply an ice pack to the outside of their face for 10-minute intervals or take a children’s OTC pain reliever as instructed on the label to minimize discomfort.

If you cannot get the bleeding under control within 10 minutes, you suspect their jaw may be broken or dislodged, or you are concerned they may have sustained a concussion, go to your local ER.

How we treat soft tissue injuries in children: If you are concerned about the wellbeing of your child’s teeth after a soft-tissue injury, we’ll be happy to take a closer look during our next available appointment. In some cases, we may be able to provide stiches. If the injury occurred as a result of a sports accident, then now may be the perfect time to have your child fitted for an athletic mouthguard.

Learn More About Emergency Dental Treatments for Kids

Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency?: Jaw pain can become frustrating to deal with, but it’s not typically a dental emergency. It’s best to give us a call so we can evaluate your symptoms and determine if our office can help.

How you should handle jaw pain: We’ll provide specific instructions over the phone to manage your discomfort when you call us. This typically includes taking painkillers and applying a cold compress to your face. If you believe your jaw is broken or dislocated, go to the emergency room immediately.

How we treat jaw pain: If jaw pain is present, a custom-made mouthguard may be able to help get you relief. Additionally, we can perform more targeted treatment through TMJ therapy. In other cases, an erupting wisdom tooth could need removal, especially if you’re also noticing pain in the back of your mouth.

Learn More About Mouthguards

Learn More About TMJ Therapy

Learn More About Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

When food debris gets stuck in between your teeth, do not try to remove it using tweezers, toothpicks, or any other sharp tools or objects. This can easily cause permanent damage to your gums and tooth enamel. It can also push the foreign material further into your mouth, making the issue even worse. Instead, it’s far more effective to brush your teeth, floss, and rinse your mouth out with warm water. Visit our office if you’re still struggling.