You may have had your dentures so long that they feel like a part of you. But recently, you’ve noticed a change in how they fit in your mouth.
It’s not you. It’s them.
Perhaps your dentures no longer sit properly in your mouth. Or, maybe you’re beginning to feel some pressure on your gums when you put your dentures in each morning. Either way, you may be wondering if you should replace the teeth in your dentures. And if so, how often should you replace your dentures from now on?
It can be difficult to know when dentures are due for a replacement. Here’s what to look for.
Why Do You Have to Replace the Teeth in Dentures?
Whether you’re missing teeth due to an accident or medical reasons, dentures can be an excellent solution. They can increase your self-esteem by restoring a pearly-white smile over your previously missing teeth. Dentures can also help you to speak and chew normally. Because dentures help to prevent the muscles in your face from collapsing due to the absence of teeth, they can help you to look young.
Even though dentures are sturdy devices built for everyday use, they unfortunately don’t last forever. It’s common to need to replace some or all of your dentures, and contacting a qualified dentist is the way to get started.
Why Dentures Don’t Last Forever
Although dentures provide many advantages and are generally built to last, you typically need to replace the teeth in your dentures after seven to ten years. However, how often you should replace your dentures ultimately depends on how well you care for them. Dentures may have a shorter lifespan if you do not clean them each night or allow your dentist to make revisions to them when needed, for example.
Signs It’s Time to Replace the Teeth in Your Dentures
You should replace the teeth in your dentures if you’ve begun to notice that they feel loose. For instance, you may be worried that your dentures will fall out if you sneeze, cough, laugh, or talk—something that never used to concern you. This is a clear sign that a denture replacement is in order.
Another indicator that your dentures might need replacing is if you are struggling to speak clearly or chew confidently when wearing your device. Likewise, you should replace the teeth in your dentures if any of the teeth have become broken. Although denture materials are wear-and-damage resistant, these devices can chip or crack over time.
Finally, replace your dentures if they are beginning to cause gum irritation and sores. Sores may develop if your dentures move around and rub against the gums, or if the dentures press more forcefully in some areas compared with others.
How a Dentist Can Help You to Replace the Teeth in Your Dentures
If you are experiencing any of the above-listed challenges with your dentures, the best thing to do is to head to the dentist. Your dentist will take new bite and jaw impressions for you, then create an accurate model of your new dentures. Your dentist will also assess your dentures’ fit, shape, and color.
Afterward, your new device will be fabricated based on the model. Then, any necessary final adjustments will be made to the dentures to ensure that they fit you perfectly.
Your dentist can also go over with you how often you should replace your dentures going forward and how to extend their lifespan.
Experience the Definitive Dental Difference By Booking an Appointment Today
As your leading full-service dental practice in Grand Prairie, we take pride in offering high-quality solutions ranging from dentures to crowns to teeth whitening. In our office, we use the latest dental technology to provide virtually painless treatment. If you ever experience too much pain during a procedure, we’ll stop right away and apply more anesthetic.
If your dentures are causing discomfort, know that we can fix it. Make your appointment by calling or texting our officeat (972) 646-0660 today!
Is dental insurance worth it? More often than not, it honestly isn’t. While dental insurance may assist you with a few things here and there, it usually does not cover all of the treatment you may actually need. Let’s dive right in and take a look at the truth about insurance coverage for dental procedures and other alternatives that may be more beneficial to you and your family.
The Honest Truth
This may sound crazy, but your dental insurance wants you to lose your teeth. You may have noticed that after having a necessary visit with a dental clinic, you’re left with a hefty balance to pay out of pocket. This isn’t by coincidence and it honestly does not have anything to do with the dentist you choose. You’re often left with a balance after visiting the dentist because the coverage with insurance simply is not extensive enough for your needs.
When it comes to dental insurance, many patients are often left making an unfair compromise. Insurance can be looked at as more of a discount plan, not actual insurance. You’ll have a co-pay until you max out your dental benefits and then eventually, you won’t have coverage at all.
Dental insurance really hasn’t changed since the 80s. While medical insurance has maximums for out-of-pocket payments, the amount of out-of-pocket payments for dental can range from $1-$2000. If you’ve had dental work done before, especially emergency dental work, you can testify that this kind of coverage really doesn’t get you far.
Insurance often downgrades the needs of your oral health. Often only covering silver fillings or metal crowns which are not typically used anymore and having you pay the difference. At Definitive Dental, we know how frustrating all of this can be.
Teeth are often referred to as luxury bones and that’s simply not true. Your teeth and oral health are important to your overall health, happiness, and comfort. There’s no need to suffer or go without the treatment you need because of the lack of affordability and restrictive dental insurance. When it comes to dental emergencies and maintenance, having treatment on time makes all the difference.
A Better Alternative
At Definitive Dental, we offer an affordable alternative to dental insurance that will actually give you the coverage you need. Our in-house dental membership plan is available to both children and adults. We want our patients to have happy and healthy smiles, which means, our patients need accessibility to regular cleanings and emergency procedures when necessary. Dental emergencies will never become cheaper or less painful, unfortunately, they will always become worse.
Our in-house dental membership plan can be used in place of dental insurance, or alongside it if you choose. For only $348 a year or $29 a month ($25 a month for children), you’ll get;
Two cleanings per year
X-Rays and exams
An extra exam for emergencies
15% off all dental work
For patients that require four cleanings a year, the total cost is $45 a month. And best of all, there is no maximum benefit. You can receive the dental treatment you need without worrying about restrictive dental insurance and hefty out-of-pocket balances.
We created our affordable and effective in-house dental membership plan because we are passionate about what we do. As seasoned experts in the industry, we deeply understand how important it is for dental maintenance and emergency procedures to be completed in a timely manner. From our dentists to our team members, we all have one goal, maintaining and restoring the oral health of our patients.
Conclusion
Teeth are not luxury bones, they are necessary bones. Healthy teeth help us to properly chew and digest delicious foods, speak clearly, and they also give our face shape. No matter how your dental insurance makes it out to be, there’s nothing luxury or optional about that, it’s essential. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits will help you to maintain good oral health and deal with any uprising issues, as quickly as possible. Having healthy teeth can prevent issues like:
Tooth decay and loss
Bad breath
Gum disease and bone loss
Strokes
Higher chance of oral cancer
Worsening of diabetes
Heart and respiratory disease
Low self-esteem and shattered confidence
How can poor oral health lead to the above issues? The digestive process begins at our mouth. With healthy and strong teeth, the system works well and can perform its intended function. If your teeth are in poor health, it affects more than just your smile, it affects their optimum functionality. Give us a call today to book a visit and learn more about our in-house dental membership plan.
Finding a dentist that’s right for you is a huge step. Your oral health, comfort, and happiness depend on it. Choosing a dentist that’s the perfect fit for you will prevent you from dreading and avoiding necessary visits.
Regular dental visits are essential for both children and adults, there’s no need to neglect your dental health because you’re not sure which dentist you should visit. Let’s take a look at our top three tips for finding the best dentist for you and your needs.
Social Proof
A great dentist will have positive social proof readily available for new clients. Aside from having close friends and family visit the same dentist’s office, it’s very reassuring to see favorable reviews from others, as well. Take time to read reviews about dentists you may be interested in to learn what others may have experienced.
When it comes to finding a dentist, you want to ensure that many of the reviews include being comfortable. While receiving routine or extensive dental procedures, you should not have to suffer from pain.
During your procedure, you should be comfortable and informed about what is taking place. A good dentist will not make you feel like you’re being dramatic if you express extreme discomfort or pain. A good dentist will do everything in their power to ensure you’re relaxed, comfortable, and ready before, during, and after your procedure.
If you’re not pleased with the work you received, the right dentist will continue the work until you are satisfied. The mission of a good dentist is to go above and beyond to exceed your expectations.
Training and Technology
Choose a dentist who prioritizes training and technology. As times change, newer equipment and technology become available to the dental industry. Find a dentist who keeps up with dental technology and practices. This kind of dentist will make sure they always deliver the best products and services to their clients. All machines and equipment should be clean and up-to-date, and all staff members should have proper and current training. Newer and better ways to perform dental procedures are readily available to all dentists. Choose a dentist who makes it a priority to study and practice modern techniques for the safety and comfort of all of their patients.
A team that is developed both personally and professionally will give clients a world-changing experience from the first call, all the way up to the follow-up call made after the dental procedure has taken place. Alongside finding a dentist with a personable and professional team, aim to select a dental office that uses digital technology, at a minimum. Some offices will go above and beyond and offer digital impressions and x-ray machines that are typically only found at specialists. When you select a dental office that takes their practice and investment seriously, you can rest assured, you’ve found a good thing.
Office Environment and Culture
Have you ever walked into a dental office and felt like you’ve just entered an ice-cold box in the middle of nowhere? That feeling shouldn’t exist. A cold, lifeless dental office creates an anxious unwelcoming feeling that can be discouraging.
The right dentist’s office for you will be warm, welcoming, and inviting. You should be greeted by friendly team members who are excited and eager to assist you. The space should be immaculately clean and you should not feel an intense urge to spin around and walk right back out the door. Whether you’re heading in for a routine cleaning or a restorative procedure, you should feel right at home when you find a dentist that works best for you.
The dentist should always be comfortable but especially for those who have fear or anxiety when it comes to dental visits. One bad experience can scar an individual for a very long time. Avoid developing a negative connection with the dentist by choosing a dentist with an impressionable environment and friendly culture.
Conclusion
Find a dentist office that has social proof, advanced training and technology, and a warm office environment and culture. With a dentist’s office that excels in these three areas, you surely won’t have any regrets. When making your choice, always be sure to put your comfort and safety first.
A good dentist will be patient, kind, and helpful. Do not hesitate to ask your dentist or their team members any questions you may need clarification on. The right dentist will be more than happy to assist you with anything you need. For more information about our services here at DRG Dentistry, you can visit our website here. We proudly service the Grand Prairie area and are happy to help you with all of your dental needs!
If you think you may have a dental emergency it is important to know what to do to ensure your issue is addressed as soon as possible. Our office provides same day or next day appointments to accommodate our patients that need immediate treatment.
One of the most common dental emergencies that patients experience is tooth pain. There are tips you can try at home if the tooth pain does not go away while you wait for an appointment in our office. Pain is a way of our body sending a message that something is wrong. Typically, if patients experience pain this means there is a problem that must be addressed.
There are many causes for tooth pain such as tooth decay, issues with a filling, tooth fracture, or infection. If you have any of the below signs you may have an infection, and you must be seen right away.
• Fever
• Swollen or red gums
• Blood or pus around tooth
• Throbbing pain that does not go away
• Swollen or tender face or jaw
What Can I Do at Home to Relieve Tooth Pain?
There are remedies patients can use at home to help treat tooth pain while they wait to be seen in our office. These remedies can help reduce pain and keep you comfortable.
• Take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen.
• Use a pain relief gel on the area.
• Apply a cold compress covered with a cloth to the area to help reduce inflammation for 20 minutes each time.
• If you have a hot compress this can also be used on the area to help relieve pain.
• Peppermint tea bags can be used on the area and are known to help ease oral pain.
• Clove oil can be used on the area and is known to help reduce inflammation or numb oral pain.
Looking to Make an Appointment to Address Tooth Pain?
If you have tooth pain that does not go away we recommend making an appointment to be seen in our office. Our staff will provide a thorough exam to help identify the cause and address your tooth pain. X-rays may be taken to get a closer look at the issue. We will recommend treatment options, and always address serious issues immediately.
Patients can prevent tooth pain by practicing good oral hygiene habits at home. Brushing and flossing each day is important as well as eating a healthy diet, and avoiding high sugar foods or drinks. We also recommend to avoid hard food items that may cause a crack or injury to your teeth. Regular dental cleanings and exams in our office can help keep your mouth and teeth feeling great.
If you have tooth pain and would like to make an appointment, please call our office and our staff will make sure you are seen as soon as possible!
Changing doctors is always a big decision, but if you’ve been dissatisfied after your most recent dental checkups, it may be time to switch dentists. Perhaps you have concerns about insurance and financing, you’ve moved and the office is no longer convenient, or maybe the level of care has not met your expectations. No matter what your reason, here’s how to switch dentists without any lapses in your oral health care.
Signs Indicating It May Be Time to Switch Dentists
Not only do your personal and financial circumstances change over time, but your teeth change with age, too. You may require a new specialist to meet your current dental needs, or maybe you want a second opinion on a recommended treatment.
Here are some common signs that it might be time to look for a new dentist:
Your dentist is retiring
You’ve moved to a different area
Your dentist no longer accepts your insurance
Your dentist’s appointment schedules are inconvenient
You are not comfortable with the treatment plan your dentist has recommended
You are not happy with the quality of treatments you receive
How Do I Switch Dentists?
Making the switch can seem daunting, but by following these steps, you can make it easier to find a new dentist as soon as possible.
1. Do Your Research
Finding the right dentist requires a bit of research. Start by searching your area for offices with convenient locations. When you’re ready to switch dentists, make sure the new practice offers the services you want. Do you have little ones? Then look for an office offering family dentistry and services like orthodontics.
Once you’ve found a dentist accepting new patients, read reviews from other patients to see what you can expect. It’s also a good idea to visit the dentist before making an appointment to check out their facilities and dental technology.
2. Notify Your Old Dentist
When you’ve picked a new dentist, notify your old one that you’re leaving them. This step is not a necessity but rather a courtesy.
Plus, when you switch dentists, you will need to transfer your old dental records to the new practice. Notifying your old dentist can expedite this process.
3. Visit Your New Dentist
Once the new dentist has all the necessary dental records, they are ready to see you. You can schedule your first appointment and visit the office. If you’ve chosen the right dentist for your needs, you will have a comfortable visit and a healthier smile.
Meet Your New Dentist in Grand Prairie
Now that you know how to switch dentists, you can find a new practice and receive the dental care you need.
If you want to switch dentists in Grande Prairie, Dr. Guirguis and his team at Definitive Dental are accepting new patients. We offer a full range of preventative and restorative services, and we work with you to maximize your insurance benefits or find financing options that fit your budget. Call us at (972) 646-0660 or contact us through our website to schedule your appointment and enhance your smile at Definitive Dental.
Dental emergencies can occur at virtually any time, leaving you in pain and feeling distraught. For instance, extreme tooth pain is an emergency that is difficult to tolerate without immediate treatment. You should seek urgent care for throbbing tooth pain and other dental emergencies soon after experiencing the problem.
But what qualifies as an emergency? How bad does a tooth have to hurt before you should be concerned? This guide explains how to know when you have an emergency and what to do next.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any situation that is causing you pain, discomfort, or distress lasting for more than a few minutes. Some dental emergencies aren’t necessarily painful but can become an issue if ignored. For instance, if you have an infection in your mouth, you need an antibiotic as soon as possible to keep it from spreading.
Other issues can be severely painful and require emergency dental treatment. You should never wait to handle a dental emergency since, in many cases, the pain will not go away without some type of in-office treatment.
What Are Examples of Dental Emergencies?
Emergencies can range from severe tooth pain to fractures and avulsions. Dental emergencies can affect both pediatric and adult patients. Children’s dental emergencies are similar to adults’ but need gentler care. Here are some of the most common situations that require emergency dental treatment.
Severe Toothache
Severe tooth pain is an emergency that can disrupt your whole day. Note that not all toothaches are emergencies. If you have an intermittent toothache — one that seems to come and go throughout the day — it could be due to a sinus infection. You should be concerned when your toothache is at a constant intensity and has lasted for more than a day. Receiving tooth pain urgent care is also necessary when you feel a bump on your gums, the tooth is darkening, or you’re experiencing fatigue and fever.
If you are experiencing severe tooth pain, rinse your mouth with warm saltwater and floss your teeth. The pain may be due to something stuck between your teeth. If the pain doesn’t go away, take over-the-counter painkillers. Put a cold compress over the area and call the dentist for emergency dental treatment.
Infections and Abscesses
Dental abscesses and infections can occur due to aggressive brushing or underlying gum disease. Dental abscesses become emergencies when there is severe pain, swelling, bleeding, vomiting, or a weird taste in the mouth. You must seek immediate treatment because if the infection spreads throughout your body, it can be life-threatening.
Before your appointment, you can control the swelling with a cold compress. Rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash or saltwater to manage the infection. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen can reduce your pain while controlling the bacteria.
Chipped or Fractured Teeth
A chipped tooth can result from falling or otherwise injuring your mouth. Chipped teeth don’t always require same-day emergency dental treatment. If the extent of damage is too severe and you’re experiencing unbearable tooth pain, urgent care is necessary. Otherwise, you can wait a few days for an appointment.
The biggest concern is infection. It may not always be visible, but you can tell a tooth is fractured if you experience sudden pain or sensitivity following an injury. Apply an ice pack over the area to control swelling, and don’t chew anything on that side of your mouth.
Before your appointment with Dr. Guirguis, rinse your mouth with warm salt water to wash away the chipped fragments. If your tooth is fractured, keep the broken piece in milk and bring it to your emergency dental treatment appointment.
Knocked-Out Tooth
You must make an appointment immediately if your tooth falls out due to a sports injury or an accident. If you see the dentist soon enough, he might be able to put your tooth back in its place.
In these cases, pick up the avulsed tooth from the crown. Wash away any debris and try to place it back in the socket. If this isn’t possible, put it in a container with milk and bring it to your emergency dental treatment appointment.
Severe Sensitivity
Severe tooth pain from sensitivity is often an emergency. You may always feel some sensitivity to hot or cold foods. However, sudden or severe sensitivity accompanied by tooth pain requires urgent care. That is because it may be due to an infection, abscess, or a chipped tooth.
Try to avoid sweet or acidic food and hot or cold beverages. You can take over-the-counter medications until your appointment if the pain is too much.
Loose or Fallen Restorations
Restorations are temporary. Even the highest quality dental fillings, veneers, crowns, or bridges don’t last forever and may become loose or fall out. These situations don’t usually require same-day emergency dental treatment, but you do need to address the problem soon to prevent further complications. Call Definitive Dental if your crown or filling becomes loose to avoid infections.
Broken Appliances
You may not feel tooth pain with broken appliances, but you still need urgent care. Mouthguards and dentures breaking in your mouth can damage your soft tissues.
Do not try to reinsert them back into your mouth. Drugstores carry emergency at-home repair kits for broken dental appliances, but it’s best to avoid them to prevent further damage. The best thing you can do is call our office to address your dental emergency in Grand Prairie.
Other Mouth Injuries
While severe tooth pain is an emergency, injuries to the mouth, gums, and lips are usually not. You only need emergency dental treatment for mouth injuries when the bleeding doesn’t stop after you apply pressure.
If you experience trauma and your mouth starts bleeding, control it by applying some pressure on the area. Rinse your mouth off any blood and use a cold press to reduce swelling. Take painkillers to help with the pain and if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes, call our office at 972-646-0660.
FAQs
What should I do in an emergency?
As much as possible, stay calm. The first step is to call in the emergency and schedule an appointment. We’ll accommodate you as soon as we can. When you arrive at our office for your emergency dental treatment, we will ask a few questions and may take some X-rays if needed.
It’s important to share the full extent of your pain and symptoms with the dentist so we can make a quick diagnosis and recommend the proper treatment right away.
How do you treat each type of dental emergency?
Each emergency dental treatment is different depending on the problem. For instance, for severe sensitivity or tooth pain, urgent care involves treating the underlying issue, which can be a cavity or gum disease. If there is an infection, you may need to take antibiotics first to clear the bacteria before further treatment.
We treat abscesses by draining them under local anesthesia and repair chipped or broken teeth with restorative treatments. Knocked-out teeth are sometimes salvageable, and we can place them back in the socket. Other times we may need to consider tooth replacement options. No matter the dental emergency, you can receive the appropriate treatment at Definitive Dental.
How much is the cost of emergency dental treatments?
The costs of emergency treatments differ based on the problem and the patient. We can’t give you an exact estimate until we have examined your mouth. You may need a simple filling or a more complicated treatment like root canal therapy.
However, we won’t let the cost stand in the way of you receiving the quality treatment you deserve. Our team will work with your dental insurance and help reduce the costs as much as possible. Remember that taking care of your teeth in emergencies can help you avoid future expenses.
Contact Dr. Peter Guirguis in Grand Prairie
Don’t ignore your dental health. If your tooth pain is severe enough that you wonder if it is an emergency, you are likely overdue for an appointment. Whether you need urgent care for tooth pain or another emergency dental treatment, we are here for you.
Definitive Dental has experience offering emergency treatments in Grand Prairie to patients of all ages. If you need immediate assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff to schedule a visit with Dr. Peter Guirguis as soon as possible!
Children are often more susceptible to injuries. They tend to be a bit careless and accident-prone, and sometimes injuries occur in their mouths.
Your child can fall when playing or bite on something hard and break a tooth. Children’s dental emergencies can happen quickly. It’s easy to panic in these situations, so it’s best to know what to do in a dental emergency in advance. Here is everything you need to know to deal with dental emergencies in kids.
Common Dental Emergencies in Kids
During playtime, when children fall on the ground, their mouths usually take the maximum jerk. High-impact falls can result in an internal injury such as a broken tooth or a deep cut on the walls of the mouth or gums. These dental emergencies in children can look severe as mouths bleed more than many other body parts.
While minor mouth injuries will heal on their own, as a parent, you must determine whether your child is experiencing a dental emergency. Firstly, you need to rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to drain the blood. This will allow you to see the extent of the injury. Then, you can follow a few tips for dealing with such situations before scheduling a kids’ emergency dental visit in Grand Prairie with Dr. Peter Guirguis. Here are the most common children’s dental emergencies.
Severe Tooth Pain
Severe toothache in children can be due to a piece of food stuck between their teeth or an underlying issue like cavities or gum disease. To help with your children’s tooth pain, first, have them wash their mouths with warm water to loosen any piece of food. Then floss between their teeth to remove anything that is stuck.
If their pain doesn’t go away, they could have a cavity, an abscess, or another dental issue. This persistent pain is your cue to contact your emergency dentist and make an appointment.
Chipped or Broken Tooth
Contact your dentist immediately if your child has a chipped or broken tooth. This situation is a children’s dental emergency that needs quick action to prevent infection and save the tooth. Have your child rinse the injured area and hold a cold compress over it to reduce swelling.
Find the broken piece of the tooth if you can and keep it in a container with milk. Bring the tooth to your kid’s emergency dental visit in Grand Prairie. The dentist might be able to restore the tooth by smoothing it or using some appropriate material to rebuild it. Dentists use dental bonding to reattach a tooth.
If a baby tooth chips before it is naturally ready to fall out, it is still important to see your child’s dentist as soon as possible. A damaged tooth can lead to other oral health complications.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If it was already loose, a knocked-out baby tooth is not necessarily a children’s dental emergency. Never try to adjust the tooth back in the cavity. Doing this could cause damage to the permanent tooth lying beneath it. You can give your child painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol. Also, to stop the bleeding, you can apply pressure using gauze.
A knocked-out permanent tooth is an emergency. Find the dislodged tooth and gently wash it with room-temperature water. Try placing it back in your child’s socket while holding it from the crown. If you can’t do this, keep the tooth moist by putting it in a container with milk. So call your dentist in Grand Prairie immediately for a kid’s emergency dental visit.
Dental Abscess
A dental abscess will look like an inflamed, swollen little pocket of skin in your child’s mouth. It may be a sign of gum disease or infection. Left untreated, it can lead to other problems like severe toothache, fever, and difficulty breathing. Your child might even need to visit the ER.
Call your emergency dentist if you notice your child’s face swelling. Meanwhile, place a cold compress on their face to control the swelling.
Loose Dental Fillings
A prevalent dental emergency in older children with composite fillings is dislodgement. If your child’s dental filling becomes loose or lost, it will expose the unprotected tooth beneath it to bacteria. These bacteria can lead to cavities and make the tooth sensitive to hot or cold foods.
It’s crucial to visit a dentist immediately and replace the filling. The longer you delay this visit, the more serious the problem will become.
Tooth Sensitivity
Minor tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages is normal. However, sudden sensitivity or too much of it can indicate an underlying issue and a children’s dental emergency.
If your child is complaining about tooth sensitivity, the reason might be a cavity or a dental injury. A kids’ emergency dental visit to Definitive Dental in Grand Prairie can determine the cause of this sensitivity and rid your child of the pain.
Dental Trauma
Children can easily experience dental traumas while playing and running around. If trauma occurs, their teeth may start losing color and become darker. There may also be tenderness and swelling. Even worse, your child may fracture their jaw.
If this children’s dental emergency happens, apply a cold compress over the injured area to reduce swelling. Tell your child to avoid moving their jaw and call the dentist for an emergency appointment.
Broken Braces and Stuck Objects
Another form of emergency is when your children’s braces break or something gets stuck between their teeth. With broken braces and appliances, you can cover the sharp ends with cotton balls as you try to remove them. If removing them is painful, you must schedule a kids’ emergency dental visit in Grand Prairie.
You can use floss for a children’s dental emergency involving a stuck object between their teeth. Gently lower the floss between the teeth in a back-and-forth motion and try to dislodge the object. Avoid using sharp tools like tweezers to remove it, and call the dentist if you can’t get it out with floss.
Mouth Injuries
Biting down on the lips, inside the cheeks, and tongue is not uncommon, especially among children. You can help your child by having them rinse their mouth. If the area is bleeding, apply pressure with clean gauze and use a cold compress to control the swelling.
Most injuries of this type are insignificant and don’t count as children’s dental emergencies. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10-15 minutes, you can call for an emergency appointment.
FAQs
How can I prevent kids’ dental emergencies at home?
Sometimes accidents happen, but there are things you can do to lower their chances:
Don’t give young children hard candy, or — if you do — require them to sit while they eat it.
Don’t let children run around with objects in their mouths.
Ensure your children are wearing mouthguards when playing sports.
Teach your kids good oral hygiene to keep their teeth healthy.
How do you treat dental emergencies in your office?
We will prioritize your kids’ emergency dental visits in our Grand Prairie family dentistry practice. When you bring your kids to the office, our friendly staff will make them feel comfortable. The dentist will then ask about the symptoms and thoroughly examine their teeth before determining the appropriate course of action. For instance, he will prescribe antibiotics for infections and drain the abscess in the office. Whatever your children’s dental emergencies are, we take every step to ensure they will experience pain-free treatment.
Treat Your Kids’ Dental Emergencies at Definitive Dental
Definitive Dental is where dentistry is done right, and we are ready to treat your dental emergencies. Whether you or your children are experiencing these emergencies, call our office at (972) 646-0660 or fill out our contact form to make an appointment. We’ll do everything we can on the same day to ease your discomfort.
