Emergency Dentistry Bullard
In Pain? Call Us Now!
Dental emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye, causing significant panic and pain. If you or a family member has badly damaged a tooth or is experiencing oral pain with no known cause, reach out to the Bullard dental office of Tad Morgan, DDS, right away to schedule an emergency dentistry appointment! Our team will make time to see you as soon as we possibly can, and additional first-aid assistance can be provided over the phone, as well as a recommendation for whether or not to proceed to your nearest emergency room. Our Bullard practice is open to patients from Mixon, TX, and surrounding areas. Please don’t hesitate to call us whenever you need help with dental damage or discomfort. Our Bullard dentist and dentistry team members are always happy to help you get the smile back on your face fast.
Why Choose Tad Morgan, DDS for Emergency Dentistry?
- Friendly Local Dentist with Years of Experience
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Modern Office with Advanced Dental Technology
I Need a Checkup & Cleaning I Need a Dentist for My Child I Want to Enhance My Smile I Need Tongue-Tie Treatment I Have Jaw Pain/Headaches I Have Sleep Apnea I Have a Cavity/Broken Tooth I'm Missing One or More Teeth I Have Sensitive/Bleeding Gums I'm Scared of the Dentist View Our Services
What Should I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?
When you call our team during a dental emergency, we’ll walk you through first aid and pain management steps over the phone. However, some basics you may want to consider include:
- Clean any damaged areas or pieces of tooth with cool water. Be gentle and avoid removing tissue.
- If you have a knocked-out tooth, you should try to replace it in its socket whenever possible. If you can’t replace the tooth, store it in a container of water or milk until you reach our office.
- If you’re experiencing bleeding due to soft tissue injury, use gauze or a clean cloth to apply gentle pressure. If this doesn’t stop blood flow, you may also want to use an ice pack or cold compress.
- Using an ice pack at 20-minute intervals (20 minutes on and then 20 minutes off) is also a great way to relieve pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.
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Take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed to reduce discomfort, but do not apply an aspirin or other pain reliever directly to your tooth.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
What exactly constitutes a dental emergency? If you’re unsure, here are some of the most common scenarios we see where urgent care may be needed:
How Can I Avoid Dental Emergencies?
In some cases, dental emergencies are unavoidable, but there are some habits you can change and behaviors you can avoid to reduce your risk, including:
- Brush and floss teeth carefully each day to avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other common oral health issues.
- Visit our office two times each year for preventive dentistry appointments to help you avoid the need for more advanced restorative dentistry solutions.
- Wear athletic mouthguards as directed to protect teeth during athletic competitions, or nightguards to protect from nighttime teeth grinding and clenching.
- Do not use teeth as tools to open packages or crack nuts.
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Do not chew on ice, fingernails, or other hard objects.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
It’s difficult to provide a precise estimate without seeing you first. The cost of emergency dentistry in Bullard will range depending on the exact cause of the urgent situation. We will always make you aware of the price of our recommended treatment before starting, plus we will work with you to make your care as affordable as possible. Read on to learn more about the factors that contribute to the price of dental emergencies.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
No two cases are the same, which is why it’s so tough to determine the cost without examining your smile first. Emergencies can range from minor issues that occur from poor oral health over time to serious dental injury. That’s why we offer everything from mild antibiotics and minor fillings to tooth extraction and replacement. Before beginning, we’ll review our treatment options and costs to ensure that you have the information you need. Serious injuries like jaw fractures, facial wounds, or anything that interrupts breathing should be addressed immediately in an urgent care facility.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer some form of coverage for dental emergencies. At least one emergency exam is covered per year, and treatments associated with emergencies get coverage between 50% to 80%. This will vary from plan to plan, which is why we recommend speaking with your provider first. We are always happy to communicate with your insurance directly, and our friendly team is experienced in maximizing your benefits to minimize your out-of-pocket spending.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have insurance, there’s no need to worry! Dr. Morgan is committed to making emergency dental care affordable for all budgets. We partner with CareCredit to give patients alternative financing. With this option, you’ll simply choose the monthly payment plan that works best for you, and you’re done – no confusing deductibles or maximums that come with insurance. Plus, these plans often come with low-to-no interest, making it a popular solution for patients without coverage.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While dental emergencies can never be completely avoided, there are some steps you can take to proactively protect your smile. This starts with investing in a good at-home oral healthcare routine, including daily brushing and flossing. You should also be committed to visiting our office at least twice a year to lower your risk of needing an emergency dentist in Bullard. As soon as you notice that something is wrong with your mouth, contact us right away. Dental emergencies will only become more painful and expensive if you wait! For example, a simple filling could turn into a root canal or even require an extraction if treatment is prolonged. Keep in mind that losing a tooth will also require a replacement, which is much more costly than the original treatment.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Usually, toothaches won’t go away on their own. That’s why you should always call our office to schedule a checkup, just in case. There are many potential causes of your pain, which is why seeing a professional is so important. During your checkup, we can catch underlying problems before they grow more severe. In some cases, it could be the difference between saving and extracting your tooth. Sometimes, pain surrounding the tooth in the gums will go away on its own, but it’s always better to contact us to ensure your health.
Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?
Unfortunately, most emergency rooms do not have the equipment to address dental issues. That said, there are 3 main dental emergencies that require an immediate trip to an urgent care facility:
- Jaw fractures and dislocations
- Serious facial wounds or cuts
- An abscess or infection that alters your breathing
In almost all other situations, it’s best to visit a dentist’s office. They will have the knowledge and technology to get you out of pain and back to smiling.
Do chipped teeth heal?
While enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it cannot regrow or heal itself. At best, teeth can “remineralize,” which sometimes occurs when there is slight decay. The only way to repair a chipped tooth is to visit a dentist. Dr. Morgan provides amazing cosmetic and restorative treatments to correct chipped and cracked teeth. Depending on your specific chip, he will normally recommend dental bonding or a dental crown.
Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?
Baby teeth are meant to come out, so don’t try to place them back in your child’s mouth if one does get knocked out. That said, a baby’s tooth can come out too soon, which is why you should schedule an appointment with our office just to make sure there is no damage. Permanent teeth can erupt too early if a baby tooth is lost too soon, causing various issues like misalignment. If your son or daughter’s bleeding doesn’t stop, or you believe they hurt their jaw, visit the emergency room right away.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
If you have tooth pain at night, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head, which can intensify your toothache. Before bed, take over-the-counter pain medication and do your best to avoid hard, acidic, or cold foods – especially at night. You can also use a cold compress to ease discomfort and prevent swelling.
