4540 Ross Ave Ste 140, Dallas, TX 75204
(469) 210-7223Emergency Pediatric Dentist— Dallas, TX
Crucial Care for Kids’ Aching Smiles
You may already know, but kids often get into all sorts of problems – dental emergencies included. Their urgent oral issues can range from bad toothaches to injuries that knock out teeth. Still, rest assured that there’s no need to panic; just send your child to our office for help. As your pediatric emergency dentist in Dallas, Dr. Liu will gladly repair your little one’s grin and make it as good as new. Find out more by reading below or book a consultation today!
Why Choose Ross Avenue Family Dental of Dallas for Children’s Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- Open on Saturdays
- Children’s Medicaid & CHIP Accepted
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
If your child faces their first dental emergency, you may worry about what to expect from their care. Well, our dental team is here to walk you both through our treatment process. Here are four things that’ll happen as part of your kid’s emergency visit:
- Same-Day Appointment – Right when you call us, we’ll book your child’s visit as soon as possible. We may even see them the very same day! Regardless, our team can provide first-aid tips (over the phone) to help you manage until the appointment.
- An Emergency Exam – Once your child arrives for their visit, we’ll give them a quick (but thorough) oral exam. This assessment lets us learn the source of their dental issue, which helps us know how to relieve their pain.
- Findings Review – Dr. Liu will share her findings with you and your child after the exam and suggest some procedures. She’ll then use your feedback to draft a custom treatment plan. Of course, we’ll outline the relevant cost and time involved before you commit to anything.
- Crucial Dental Care – With a treatment plan in hand, our team will quickly address your child’s oral issue. Their skill and experience equip them to handle nearly any dental dilemma a kid can have. Whether the solution is a filling, dental crown, or something else, we’ll get your little one’s smile back on track.
The Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Your child’s dental emergency shouldn’t be lethal, but you’d be wise to treat it quickly. Leaving it unchecked will lead to worse oral problems down the line. In fact, you should call even if you’re unsure whether the situation counts as an emergency. Just remember to manage the problem while you wait for qualified treatment. To do so, click the relevant icon(s) below and examine the listed tips. Common dental emergencies your child may have include:
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Like many other parents, you may be worried that the emergency dental care that your child needs will end up “breaking the bank.” If that’s the case, you can rest easy – we will provide you with an estimate of the cost and discuss the different financial solutions that are available upfront. If you want to learn more on the topic in the meantime, however, you can simply read on!
Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why
Oftentimes, parents assume that there is a flat fee for emergency dentistry. That’s not the case because there are several factors that need to be considered, including the type of dental injury your child has sustained, the severity of the damage, and the restorative treatment that’s needed to address the root of the problem. Once again, you don’t have to worry – we won’t leave you in the dark about the cost. Rather, Dr. Liu will give you a precise estimate before covering the different ways to make the price more affordable, like dental insurance.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Fortunately, many dental insurance plans cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. Some also include additional benefits, like a free emergency exam each year. So, it’s worth taking the time to read through the fine print on yours and familiarize yourself with your available benefits! If you need any assistance, you’re more than welcome to reach out to our team at Ross Avenue Family Dental of Dallas, too. We’re proud to welcome several PPO dental insurance plans from Aetna, Ameritas, Cigna, and several others, so we can help make understanding and utilizing your coverage easy.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, don’t hesitate to ask us about the other financial solutions that are available. At our office, we’re proud to welcome Medicaid or CHIP. Plus, flexible financing is available with CareCredit and Sunbit. As a result, we’re able to work with just about any budget!
How Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money
Remember, a crucial part of children’s dentistry is prevention. In other words, if you want to protect your little one’s smile from harm and your wallet from an unexpected bill, it’s important to prioritize healthy habits. A few examples include brushing for two full minutes each morning, wearing a mouthguard during sports, and eating lots of nutrient-dense, well-balanced meals.
Important reminder: Taking the “wait and see” approach may seem like a good idea. However, the more time that passes, the worse the root of the problem will get. So, the best thing for your child’s smile and your wallet is to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Dallas when you initially suspect that something is wrong.
How to Prevent Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Though some dental emergencies aren’t avoidable, your child can take steps to reduce their risk of having one. All they need to do is practice the right oral habits, such as:
- Brush their teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Floss once daily to remove plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach places.
- Attend regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings with their local dentist.
- Avoid poor oral habits, including nail-biting, ice-chewing, using teeth as tools, etc.
- Wear a mouthguard when they play sports or grind their teeth.
Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs
Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?
If your child knocks out a baby tooth, it’s less urgent than losing a permanent tooth, but it should still be taken seriously. Unlike conventional wisdom for adult teeth, baby teeth should not be placed back into their socket. Doing so could damage a developing permanent tooth underneath.
Instead, gently rinse your child’s mouth with water, apply light pressure with gauze to their gum if there’s bleeding, and use an ice pack to reduce swelling. Once your child is comfortable, call our office so our emergency kids dentist in Dallas can examine your child. Dr. Liu will check nearby teeth and make sure your child’s smile development is on track.
How should I help my child sleep with tooth pain?
To help your child sleep with tooth pain, the first step is good oral care. Start by gently brushing, flossing, and rinsing around the affected tooth with salty water to remove any debris.
Next, you can try applying a cold compress to their cheek to reduce swelling and dull any pain. Have them keep their head slightly elevated and avoid giving them hot, cold, sugary, or acidic snacks before bed.
If their discomfort is more severe, you can give them an over-the-counter pain reliever that’s appropriate for their age and weight. Be sure you follow the label’s instructions carefully. With good sleep hygiene and oral care, your child can fall asleep soundly while waiting to see us.
Will my child’s toothache go away on its own?
Unfortunately, unlike a minor cut or bruise, a toothache almost never goes away on its own. In children, tooth pain is often a sign of a cavity, infection, or trapped food irritating their gums. You can gently clean the area and use a cold pack or a small amount of numbing gel if recommended, but this should only be a short-term solution.
If you notice your child complaining of ongoing pain, sensitivity to temperature, or discomfort when chewing, schedule a visit with our Dallas office as soon as possible.
What should I do if my child chips or breaks a tooth?
If your child chips or breaks a tooth, rinse their mouth gently with lukewarm, salty water and check for any pieces of tooth you can bring with you. If there’s bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth, and use ice on their cheek to reduce swelling.
Try to instruct your child not to chew on that side of their mouth until they see us and call our office right away. Our team can check the damage, relieve your child’s pain, and explore the best way to move forward, so they can get back to smiling like a child should.