Emergency Dentist Midlothian

Get Your Dental Emergency Handled Right Away!

Have you experienced a dental emergency at some point in your life, but you weren’t sure what to do? Did you visit the emergency room, only to be told to go to a dentist? Dental emergencies don’t happen often, but when they do, it’s incredibly important to have a dentist you can rely on for your visit. If you’re experiencing a cracked tooth, an oral infection, or dental pain, don’t wait to call Dr. Johnson and his team! We can provide you with emergency dentistry in Midlothian right away so you can get back to enjoying a happy, healthy, and pain-free smile.

Why Choose Dental Center of Midlothian for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Oral Conscious & Nitrous Oxide Sedation Available
  • Talented & Experienced Dentist Focused on Your Comfort & Health
  • Same-Day Dental Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
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What to Do In a Dental Emergency

Man in white shirt rubbing jaw in pain in dental office

When a dental emergency strikes, whether it happens to you or a loved one, it’s crucial that you remain calm and act quickly. Your first order of business should be contacting our office. From there, here’s what you should do:

  • Schedule a same-day appointment: We go above and beyond to see our emergency patients the same day they call us. After scheduling your appointment, a member of our team can guide you over the phone on what steps you should take next to manage your situation.
  • Get an emergency exam with Dr. Johnson: As soon as you reach our office, Dr. Johnson will examine your mouth and take any necessary X-rays to learn more about your dental emergency.
  • Review the findings and make a plan: Johnson will then review his findings with you and fully explain your treatment options, working with you to create a treatment plan.
  • Get the care you need: We’ll get to work right away to alleviate your pain and protect your smile, no matter what your dental emergency is. If needed, we also offer sedation options to help nervous or uncomfortable patients feel as relaxed as possible while we take care of them.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies typically appear in the form of a decayed or infected tooth (long-term emergency) or sudden trauma (short-term emergency). Both require their own treatment needs, which is why you should always call our dental office the moment they appear. Not only can we get you scheduled for an appointment, but we can provide additional guidance to manage your symptoms beforehand. Below, you’ll find some of the most common dental emergencies we treat. If you experience these or any other worrisome symptoms, don’t hesitate to give us a call immediately.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

Bearded man in grey shirt with toothache touching side of face

Dental emergencies are already stressful enough without having to worry about their financial components. At Dental Center of Midlothian, we strive to provide hassle-free, affordable, and pain-relieving emergency dental care that helps restore the health of your grin. That’s why we offer several different financial options and payment plans. Throughout your appointment, we’ll keep you up to date on our findings and let you know what the cost of treatment will be. If you have any additional questions or require urgent dental care, don’t hesitate to contact our office.

What Determines the Cost of Emergency Dental Care?

Close-up of woman looking concerned due to toothache

There’s no set price for treating a dental emergency because they can come in many forms. Here are some common factors that affect the cost of your visit:

  • The severity of the damage to your mouth.
  • Your current dental insurance coverage.
  • Whether you require follow-up treatments or appointments.

Once we have completed our initial examination, we’ll discuss each of these factors with you and address any of your concerns. Our dental staff are more than happy to help you navigate your financial and insurance options to ease your stress.

Several Hassle-Free Ways to Pay

Two model teeth and stacks of coins

We believe that nobody should have to worry about how they’re going to be able to pay for their emergency dental care, which is why we strive to accommodate anybody’s financial situation. Here are some of the many hassle-free ways to pay that we offer:

  • Our in-house dental plan covers the cost of one adult emergency exam a year and includes 15 percent off all additional regular-priced services.
  • Make payments online through our portal.
  • Apply for additional financing through CareCredit or Lending Point.
  • File a claim through your dental insurance. We are an in-network provider for several major PPO plans.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, you can visit our new patient page for payment information or give our team a call.

Taking Care of Emergencies When They Occur

Woman in grey shirt sitting on couch with toothache

Some patients are tempted to ignore their dental issues to see if they cure themselves. Unfortunately, this often results in the need for more invasive treatments down the road. That’s why we recommend coming in sooner rather than later. Oftentimes, the earlier we’re able to diagnose and treat a problem that’s giving you trouble, the more cost-effective the entire process will be.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Close-up of woman flossing her teeth

In most cases, you can prevent a dental emergency by practicing proper prevention at home and our dental office. Daily brushing and flossing prevent plaque buildup, which is the main cause of cavities and oral infections. Visiting our dental office once every six months helps us catch problems before they become emergencies. Furthermore, wearing a mouthguard protects your teeth while playing contact sports, and not using your teeth as a tool prevents most serious problems.

Maintain Great Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Man in grey shirt brushing his teeth

If you go even 12 hours without brushing and flossing, plaque in your mouth hardens into tartar. Because you can’t get rid of tartar by yourself (only a dental professional can remove it), the bacteria in it have ample time to damage your teeth and gums by causing painful infections. To prevent this, brush twice a day for two minutes at a time, taking care to clean the surfaces of each tooth. Flossing daily can remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas.

Also, be sure to attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least twice a year. Not only do cleanings remove built-up plaque and tartar, but regular exams allow Dr. Johnson to spot and treat problem areas before they have the chance to spiral into full-blown emergencies.

Watch What You Eat

Plates of food on a picnic table

Cavities don’t always hurt in the early stages, but they can quickly spiral into a monster of a toothache if the decay reaches the sensitive pulp in the center of the tooth. Naturally, cutting down on sugar can drastically reduce this risk. It’s perfectly fine to indulge from time to time but be sure to consume these things in moderation. Sipping sugary beverages through a straw can minimize direct contact with the teeth. Try to brush your teeth after eating or drinking these items, but if you can’t, at least swish some water around in your mouth.

Don’t bite down on anything very hard, like peppermints or nut shells, as this could result in broken teeth. Similarly, you should also avoid using your teeth to open packages, hold bags of groceries, and chew on inedible objects such as pen caps.

Protect Your Pearly Whites

Man in collared beige shirt smiling

Contact sports like martial arts or football carry a high risk of mouth injuries that could result in a tooth getting loosened or even knocked out entirely. To protect your smile from injury, wear a mouthguard whenever you engage in this sort of activity.

Your teeth might also be at risk for damage while you’re asleep. Many people suffer from bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding or jaw clenching that often happens while sleeping). This can wear down or weaken your enamel. Wearing a nightguard to bed can provide cushioning between your top and bottom teeth, avoiding this problem.

Dental Emergency FAQs 

Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?

The answer is…it depends. If you suffer from a broken or fractured jaw, continuous bleeding from the mouth, or increased swelling that is making it difficult to breathe or swallow, get yourself to the closest emergency room for immediate medical attention.

Otherwise, you will be fine to call our office and schedule an appointment. We will work to get you in as quickly as possible so that you will achieve relief from the pain.

Why Is Seeing a Dentist Better Than Going to the ER for a Dental Emergency?

Your emergency dentist is not only more knowledgeable but also trained in handling all types of dental injuries. Apart from the fact that you will be working with someone who knows you personally and can offer start-to-finish dental care, you will avoid long hours waiting in a lobby. Instead, you will have a set time in which you can come in and get the care you need without sitting among others who may be very sick.

Should I Still See a Dentist If My Pain Is Gone?

Naturally, any time you feel pain in your mouth, you should contact us. However, if this discomfort goes away on its own, you may be tempted to cancel the appointment. Don’t do this. The reason is that there could be an underlying cause for your pain that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Pain doesn’t just occur for no reason, so even if it does dissipate, make sure you let us take a look. By examining your oral cavity and reviewing digital X-rays, we will be able to determine if anything is happening beneath the surface.

What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency While on Vacation?

First, find a local dentist who can see you and offer immediate dental care. You don’t want to spend your entire vacation in pain, so it’s best to get in to see someone who can minimize discomfort and fix your particular issue. Second, make sure to call us and alert us to the situation. This will allow us to discuss what kind of treatment you received and determine if you will need additional care when you return.

What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency But I’m Uninsured?

No matter the type of injury, forgoing treatment will only end in additional time and money spent attempting to save your oral health from further deterioration and damage. The sooner you seek treatment, the better off you and your smile will be. If you do not have dental insurance, we will be happy to assist in identifying additional payment methods that can be used to cover your out-of-pocket expenses.

Toothaches

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? If you have a toothache, don’t ignore it! Instead, contact our Midlothian dental team to schedule an exam. Remember, your pain receptors are designed to signal that something is wrong, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us, even if your toothache seems minor.

How You Should Handle a Toothache There are a few things you can do at home to alleviate your discomfort, including placing a cold compress against the outside of your cheek, sticking to soft foods, and taking an OTC pain reliever. However, these are just short-term solutions. To treat the root of the problem, you need to visit our Midlothian emergency dentist.

How We Treat Toothaches Oftentimes, toothaches are the result of untreated decay. If that’s the case, then we will intervene with a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, or root canal treatment to restore the look, health, and function of your smile.

Learn More About Root Canal Treatment

Chipped Teeth

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Chipped teeth don’t always warrant same-day treatment. The best thing to do in this scenario is call us so we can learn more about your situation. From there, we can determine if you need to see us right away or if coming in before the end of the week suffices.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth Naturally, you don’t want your tooth to break further. So, don’t put any pressure on it. Additionally, we recommend covering the sharp edge of your tooth with sugar-free gum or dental wax.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth When you come in for your appointment, we will conduct an oral exam, assessing the size of the chip, the location of your tooth, and other important information in the process. From there, we will review our findings and make our recommendations, like using a veneer to restore the missing structure of your tooth.

Learn More About Veneers

Cracked Tooth

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Even if you aren’t in pain, a cracked tooth warrants a same-day visit to our Midlothian dental office. That way, we can intervene before the damage progresses to the point where saving your tooth is no longer feasible.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth To keep the area around your tooth clean and prevent the crack from getting larger, we recommend not chewing on that side of your mouth, sticking to soft foods, and rinsing periodically with clean, room-temperature water. Of course, getting to our office is also a top priority, so don’t forget to call us to schedule a same-day appointment as well.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth Fortunately, we can often use a lifelike, durable, and custom-made dental crown to cover the cracked tooth, saving it in the process. If that’s no longer an option, then we will carefully remove your tooth to restore your oral health. Don’t worry – you won’t have a gap in your smile moving forward; we can fill the open space with a dental bridge or implant.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions Learn More About Dental Implants

Very Sensitive Teeth

Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Tooth sensitivity happens for several reasons: eroded enamel, cavities, gum recession, over-use of teeth whitening products, and more. Most of the time, the discomfort is mild or temporary. However, if you experience severe or persistent tooth pain, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like a bad taste in your mouth, it should be addressed quickly.

How you should handle sensitive teeth: First, call our office and describe your symptoms to the best of your ability. We can provide first-aid guidance to manage your discomfort until you can come to your appointment. Try to avoid food and drinks that are hot, cold, sweet, or acidic, and drink plenty of lukewarm water. Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen can also help.

How we treat tooth sensitivity: The treatment you receive will depend on the cause of your sensitivity. Fluoride treatments, root canals, gum disease treatment, nightguards, and root canals are all effective ways to treat various sensitivity issues.

Learn More About Fluoride Treatments Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism Learn More About Root Canal Therapy

Knocked-Out Tooth

Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Yes. As soon as your tooth is removed from its socket, the clock starts ticking. Reimplantation of an avulsed tooth becomes far less likely after 30 minutes to an hour. So, it’s important to see us as soon as possible. Luckily, we offer same-day appointments for emergency patients, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: First, pick it up by the crown (the part that does the chewing) and rinse it with cool water without scrubbing for a few seconds if it’s dirty. Next, place your tooth in a container of milk, saliva, or an ADA-approved preservation kit. Do not use regular tap water, as it can damage the sensitive connection tissues.

How we treat knocked-out teeth: We do our best to save your tooth by reimplanting it whenever possible. However, sometimes a tooth can’t be saved. In these cases, we’ll discuss replacement options like a bridge or dental implant to avoid future dental issues due to tooth loss.

Learn More About Dental Bridges Learn More About Dentures Learn More About Dental Implants

Lost Filling or Crown

Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Even when made with the best materials and the most skilled hands, dental restorations will eventually need to be replaced. It’s a common occurrence that becomes more likely as your restoration ages. While not an urgent emergency, missing a filling or crown leaves your tooth vulnerable to sensitivity, damage, and bacteria. Because of this, it’s best to let our office know right away so we can schedule an appointment to have your restoration repaired.

How you should handle a lost filling or crown: Try to find your restoration so you can bring it with you to your appointment. If it’s too damaged or if you can’t locate it, let us know when you call. If you have some dental cement, you can temporarily reattach an undamaged crown.

How we treat lost fillings or crowns: In the best-case scenario, we can reattach your restoration if it’s not too weakened or damaged. Otherwise, we’ll need to replace it with a new one.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings Learn More About Dental Crowns

Broken Denture

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? A broken denture isn’t usually a painful or life-threatening issue, but you rely on your prosthetic every day to chew, speak, and smile. You should still treat this as a dental emergency and have it addressed as soon as you can. If you continue to wear your broken denture, you could end up with soft-tissue irritation and additional damage to your prosthetic.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture: Don’t attempt to repair your denture by yourself. The kits you can find over the counter and household items can make the damage worse. Instead, call our office to let us know what happened. We will give you advice from there.

How We Treat Broken Dentures: The way that we address broken dentures depends on the severity and type of damage. For smaller chips and cracks, we may be able to fix them with composite resin. However, for more severe damage, we may need to replace your dentures. This is also a great time to consider another tooth replacement option, like dental implants!

Learn More About Dentures Learn More About Dental Implants

Loose Permanent Tooth

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? A loose permanent tooth is an urgent dental emergency. If a tooth is loose, it is at risk of falling out. You should have this issue addressed as soon as you can.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth: Once you realize that your tooth is loose, you should give us a call to schedule an emergency appointment. Until you see us, avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the loose tooth. You should also do your best not to touch it with your fingers or tongue.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth: We will do everything we can to try to save your tooth. However, if we are unable to save it, we will discuss tooth replacement options to fill in the gap.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions Learn More About Dental Implants

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue a Dental Emergency? Experiencing trauma in this area can be alarming because it tends to bleed a lot. If you have concerns about a wound on the gums, lips, or tongue, give us a call to explain the situation. We will be able to guide you from there.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: You should begin by rinsing the wound with water to wash away any dirt debris. Next, use a clean washcloth or gauze to apply pressure to the area until the bleeding stops. For pain and inflammation, use a cold compress.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue: For smaller cuts, we might be able to help by stitching the area closed. If you have any larger cuts or lacerations, the emergency room is a better option. We are happy to examine your smile after you have been discharged.

Jaw Pain

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? In most situations, jaw pain is not an urgent dental emergency. However, it can be very uncomfortable to deal with. If your pain becomes chronic or severe, let us know so we can start to take steps to help you feel more comfortable.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain: Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually strong enough to temporarily relieve jaw pain. If you think that your jaw could be dislocated or broken, you should head to the emergency room. We’d be happy to take a look at your smile after you’ve been discharged.

How We Treat Jaw Pain: The treatment we use for jaw pain varies from patient to patient. For some, a nightguard for bruxism can help to reduce discomfort. For other patients, wisdom tooth extraction may be necessary. During your appointment, we will discuss your symptoms and put together a plan that meets your needs.

Learn More About Nightguards for Bruxism

Something Stuck Between the Teeth

You shouldn’t use anything sharp to try to get an object out from between your teeth. Using tweezers, toothpicks, or cutlery can push the item further or cause damage to your soft tissues. Instead, start by rinsing your mouth with water. Then, carefully use dental floss to try to remove the item. If you are still having difficulty, call us so we can assist you.