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Emergency Pediatric Dentist — Garland, TX

Gentle Emergency Dental Care for Children

Dental emergencies are never fun at any age, but they can be more challenging and frightening when they happen to our children. If your child requires emergency dental care in the Garland area, don’t panic. Remain calm and contact your friendly pediatric dentist at The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry. Our team has the experience and training needed to provide gentle emergency dental care for children right when they need it most. To learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us right away .

Why Choose The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry for Emergency Kids Dental Care?

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Girl with toothache should see Garland emergency pediatric dentist

The Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Children’s dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s wiser to visit your dentist instead of an emergency room in these situations. Most times, the ER won’t have the necessary equipment or staff to deal with a dental emergency. We will be able to see your child much sooner than a crowded ER, and we are well-equipped to handle dental emergencies of all kinds.

However, as a general rule of thumb, if you think your child’s jaw is broken, or if they’re experiencing heavy bleeding, you should seek emergency care immediately! Below, you’ll find the most common children’s dental emergencies we treat.

Understanding the Cost of Treating Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Child holding stacks of money looking slightly confused

We won’t be able to give you an estimate for the cost of pediatric emergency dentistry in Garland until we see your child in person and give them an exam. Only then will we know the extent of their problem and which procedure(s) might be necessary. Rest assured, we’ll go over all of their options with you before actually beginning treatment. We are in-network with many dental insurance providers and also offer flexible financing to ensure this type of care is easily affordable for every family.

Every Pediatric Dental Emergency Is Different

If your child chips a tooth, your emergency dentist in Garland will recommend a very different treatment than if they lost their adult pearly white entirely. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to dentistry, which is why it’s difficult to provide a cost estimate without having examined your child’s mouth. However, potential expenses are definitely something we’ll cover in more detail during your child’s emergency appointment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?

Most dental insurance plans cover at least some of the expenses associated with pediatric dental emergencies. Depending on the severity of the issue and what type of treatment your child will need, you could receive somewhere between 50% to 80% coverage. It’s also possible that your plan will take care of the cost of your child’s emergency exam.

Since dental insurance benefits are often affected by a deductible and annual maximum, it’s best to double-check the details of your policy so you know what to expect. If you need help navigating your benefits or confirming your coverage, our team can also review your plan and make sure you save as much money as possible!

Other Options for Making Pediatric Dental Emergencies Affordable

Not everyone has access to dental insurance, but thanks to CareCredit financing, pediatric emergency dentistry in Garland can still be affordable. CareCredit has a reliable reputation as a third-party financier, and can break your treatment costs down into smaller monthly chunks. Many CareCredit plans come with little-to-no-interest and can be personalized, so parents tend to find them extremely manageable.

Save Money By Stopping Dental Emergencies Before They Occur

It can be tough to reinforce good dental habits and encourage your child to take care of their smile, but if you can do so, you can save money just by not needing emergency dental treatment.

Studies show that flossing once per day, brushing twice daily, and visiting the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning significantly reduces the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other costly complications. Since teeth can’t heal or repair themselves, it’s also best to address dental concerns sooner than later! Don’t wait – give us a call today if you’re worried about your child’s oral health.

How to Prevent Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Mother and son flossing to prevent children’s toothache in Garland

A few simple habits will go a long way in helping your child avoid the most common dental emergencies:

Dental Emergency FAQs

Young girl with children’s dental emergency in Garland As an emergency kid’s dentist in Garland, our team of professionals are here to deliver timely care when your little one needs it most. At The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry, we know these unexpected accidents can cause your child to feel scared, but it’s important to remember that by staying calm, you can help them avoid further damage and ensure a more positive experience when arriving at our dental office. But before these events ever occur, you probably have several questions about when to see an emergency dentist, what to do if your child has a dental accident while on vacation, or even what you can do to minimize pain. Below is a list of FAQs for you to review. Should you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to  contact our office .

WHY IS IT BETTER FOR MY CHILD TO SEE AN EMERGENCY DENTIST INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE ER?

It’s natural to assume that a dental emergency would warrant a visit to your local ER; however, there are downsides to taking this approach. By choosing to see a pediatric emergency dentist, you can:

  • Avoid long wait times in the ER as well as the potential for contracting viruses and other illnesses from others waiting to see a doctor
  • Receive timely care by a professional who knows you and your child
  • Expect treatment recommendations that will get your child back to their normal activity sooner rather than later
  • Expect the dentist to treat the root cause, not just the symptoms

CAN I SEE AN EMERGENCY DENTIST ON THE SAME DAY AS MY ACCIDENT?

Yes, at The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry, we offer same-day appointments for individuals experiencing dental emergencies. When calling to alert our office to the accident, we will determine whether it is necessary for your child to get in right away or if it is a situation that can be easily treated at home for the time being. While toothaches, knocked-out teeth, chipped or broken teeth, or a lost crown or filling are all considered emergencies, some are more time-sensitive than others.

HOW CAN I MINIMIZE MY CHILD’S PAIN?

There are often three ways to help minimize your child’s dental pain. These include:

  • Administering an over-the-counter pain reliever
  • Using a cold compress
  • Having them perform a warm saltwater rinse

Each method is effective in its own way. Not only can they reduce discomfort, but they can also decrease swelling and wash away any debris and encourage faster healing. If you’re unsure how to get your child’s pain under control, don’t be afraid to ask when calling to alert our team to the situation.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD EXPERIENCES A DENTAL EMERGENCY WHILE ON VACATION?

If you and your family are out of town on vacation and a dental emergency occurs, don’t wait to see your child’s pediatric dentist when you get home. Instead, find a local professional who can provide immediate care. Make sure to call our office and let us know of the incident. This will give us an idea as to whether you should plan to bring your child in when you return. No matter the type of accident, make sure you get your child the help they need as soon as possible.

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Toothache

Is My Child's Toothache a Dental Emergency? Is your child struggling with a toothache? Whether it’s a sharp, stabbing pain or a dull, consistent discomfort, don’t hesitate to give our Garland dental team a call. Once we’ve determined how urgent the situation is, we can schedule an appointment and guide you through what to do in the meantime.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Toothache First, schedule an appointment with us, especially if your child’s symptoms are severe. Then, transition your focus to doing what you can to help them – from having them rinse with warm saltwater to making sure they don’t eat anything sugary, spicy, or crunchy (especially on that side of their mouth).

How We Treat Toothaches in Children Most often, toothaches are the result of untreated tooth decay. The treatment we recommend will depend on the extent of the damage and the location of the tooth in question. That said, a tooth-colored filling or dental crown is usually the solution.

Cracked Tooth

Is My Child's Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, especially since an infection can develop and the tooth is at risk of breaking further. So, don’t wait – call our Garland dental office ASAP to schedule an emergency appointment for your little one.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Cracked Tooth In addition to scheduling an appointment, we recommend having your child rinse their mouth gently with clean, room-temperature water periodically. It’s also important that they don’t place any additional pressure on their tooth, like eating popcorn, tortilla chips, or any other crunchy foods.

How We Treat Children's Cracked Teeth Dental crowns are usually an option, but there are some cases where the damage is so extensive that we have no choice but to remove the tooth. If the crack was the result of a sports-related accident, then we will have a custom mouthguard made to protect your child’s smile from harm in the future as well.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT ATHLETIC MOUTHGUARDS

Chipped Tooth

Is My Child's Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Not always. For example, if the chip is minor and your child isn’t experiencing any pain or discomfort, then scheduling an appointment within the next day or two should suffice.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Chipped Tooth Rinsing with clean, room-temperature water is a great first step. It’s also a good idea to place dental wax or sugar-free gum over their tooth to protect their tongue, lips, and the insides of their cheeks from getting cut.

How We Treat Children's Chipped Teeth Usually, the missing structure of your child’s tooth can be restored with dental bonding. Not only can it be placed in a single visit, but it’s completely painless and available in a wide range of shades, ensuring that no unwanted attention is drawn to their smile moving forward.

Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth

Is A Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, so it’s important that you act quickly! Call our Garland dental office right away so we can schedule an emergency visit for your child and walk you through how to help them until they arrive.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth It’s important that you don’t pick up the tooth by the root or scrub it vigorously to remove debris. Instead, pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), rinse it gently with clean water, and place it back in the socket. If it doesn’t slide back into position or your child is too scared, that’s okay – putting it in a clean container filled with milk will help preserve the root surface cells too.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Permanent Teeth If the tooth is reimplanted and stabilized within 30 minutes, we have a 90% chance of saving it. That’s why it’s so important that you come to our office ASAP! Of course, if we cannot save your child’s tooth because it was badly damaged or lost, then we will replace it with the next best thing: a dental bridge.

Knocked-Out Baby Tooth

Is a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth a Dental Emergency? Parents often assume that a knocked-out baby tooth isn’t an issue because baby teeth aren’t meant to last forever. However, if they fall out too soon, several oral health problems can arise. So, even if the situation doesn’t seem urgent, it’s important that you reach out to our emergency dentist for children.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth Unlike knocked-out permanent teeth, knocked-out baby teeth should not be reinserted into the socket. Instead, you can bring it to our office in a small, clean container.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Baby Teeth Oftentimes, a space maintainer is needed to ensure the teeth surrounding the new gap don’t begin to drift out of place. That said, if your child’s underlying permanent tooth is about to make an appearance, then no further care may be needed.

Bitten Tongue, Lip, Cheek

Is a Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek an Emergency? Even small soft tissue injuries can produce a lot of blood, which often causes children and their parents to panic. The good news is that cuts to the tongue, lips, and cheek can often be handled at home in just two or three steps.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Soft Tissue Injury First, have your child gently rinse their mouth with clean, cool water. Then, once you locate the cut, use some gauze or a damp, clean washcloth to apply pressure. Once the bleeding stops, you can also use a cold compress to alleviate lingering swelling, inflammation, and discomfort.

How We Treat Soft Tissue Injuries in Children Fortunately, soft tissue injuries can usually be handled at home. That said, you should bring your child to the ER if the cut is bleeding uncontrollably.

Dental Concussion  

Is My Child's Dental Concussion an Emergency? If your child’s tooth is partially dislodged, don’t wait – schedule an appointment at our Garland dental office. That way, we can alleviate any pain they are experiencing and restore their healthy smile ASAP.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Dental Concussion Like many other children, your child might be scared, so it’s important to take the time to reassure them that everything will be okay. It’s also important to guide them through how to handle this dental injury, starting with not chewing on that side of their mouth and rinsing periodically with clean, room-temperature water.

How We Treat Dental Concussions in Children Sometimes, the best solution is a dental splint. Other times, the only way to restore your child’s oral health is by removing the tooth. That’s why it’s so important for us to complete a comprehensive oral exam first!

Sensitive Teeth  

Are My Child's Sensitive Teeth an Emergency? If your child ate some soup before it cooled down or they recently got a filling, then sensitivity is to be expected. Of course, if there doesn’t seem to be a trigger, then you shouldn’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us so we can pinpoint the root of the problem.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Sensitive Teeth Until their visit, your child should avoid doing anything that could exacerbate their symptoms, like drinking hot chocolate or ice-cold water. It’s also a good idea to avoid acidic, spicy, and sugary foods.

How We Treat Sensitive Teeth in Children Usually, dental sensitivity stems from an untreated oral health problem, like a cavity. If that’s the case for your child, then we will alleviate any discomfort they are feeling and restore their healthy, happy smile with a dental filling or crown.

Lost Fillings or Crowns  

Is My Child's Lost Filling or Crown an Emergency? We recommend calling us right away, especially if your child is experiencing considerable discomfort. That way, we can schedule an appointment at our office and guide you through how to handle this dental injury in the meantime.

How You Should Handle Your Child's Lost Filling or Crown Scheduling an appointment at our office is an important first step. Outside of that, focus on doing what you can to help your child, like placing their restoration in a small, clean container, having them rinse with room-temperature water, and making sure they don’t chew on that side of their mouth.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns in Children Oftentimes, the solution is providing your child with a new restoration. There are some exceptions, though. For example, if their dental crown is still in good condition and it’s relatively new, then we may re-cement it back in place instead of having an entirely new one made.

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

Is Having Something Stuck Between My Child's Teeth an Emergency? Most of the time, the debris can be removed at home and, therefore, doesn’t warrant a same-day visit with our kids’ emergency dentist in Garland.

How You Should Handle Something Stuck Between Your Child's Teeth First, dissolve some salt in warm water. Then, have your child rinse with the mixture for 30 seconds or so before spitting it out. Finally, use some floss to gently clean between their teeth.

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