Emergency Dentist – Mesquite, TX

Same-Day Treatment for Dental Injuries

Where else will you find an emergency dental office that offers same-day treatment as well as evening and weekend appointments? At Riviera Family Dentistry of Mesquite, we never want you to feel as if you must suffer in pain because of a lack of treatment options. Instead, we will deliver immediate care should you experience a chipped, cracked, or knocked-out tooth, or even a lost dental crown or nagging toothache. Call us to get the help you need right away from our emergency dentist in Mesquite!

Why Choose Riviera Family Dentistry of Mesquite for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day, Evening, & Weekend Appointments
  • Sedation Dentistry Available
  • Dental Insurance Is Welcome

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding cheek in pain needing emergency dentist in Mesquite
  • Call to set up an appointment – When discovering you have a serious dental injury, make sure to call our office right away. Our team will work quickly to find a time when you can come in and receive the care you need. In the meantime, you can use some of the helpful tips we provide to avoid further harm to your smile.
  • Visit our office – We’ll immediately take you back for digital X-rays so that we can identify the problem area and begin determining the best course of action. A thorough examination will also be included as well as the delivery of treatment to help you out of any pain.
  • Establish a treatment plan – Once we compile our findings, we will formulate a plan that we will review with you. Detailing how we are prepared to approach the problem, we will await your response before moving forward so that you are comfortable with our recommendations.
  • Undergo necessary care – As soon as you agree to treatment, we will begin our work. This will include either a dental filling, crown, root canal treatment, tooth extraction, or one of our other many available services. No matter which one we provide, we’ll work to get your smile back to its original state.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

You are encouraged to contact our dental office the moment you notice a problem with your smile. Whether it is a severe toothache that won’t go away, a laceration of your gums, a lost dental filling, or chronic jaw pain, we’re here to provide the care you need. To help you identify what might constitute a dental emergency, please review the information below.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dental team member showing a clipboard to a patient

Since every dental emergency treatment plan is different, the cost isn’t the same across the board. The good news is that we can provide you with an estimate of the price once we complete an exam, discuss your treatment options, and determine how best to proceed. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic of price, including the different financial solutions we welcome at our office.

Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why

Patient with toothache looking at dentist in treatment chair

As we mentioned above, there isn’t a flat fee for emergency dentistry. That’s because patients come to our office with all kinds of dental injuries, from small chips to completely knocked-out teeth. Plus, even two patients who visit us for the same reason, like a painful toothache, may need two completely different treatments to restore their healthy smiles. Rest assured, our emergency dentist in Mesquite will provide you with a price estimate upfront. Plus, no matter the price, our team can maximize your dental insurance benefits, if you have them, as well as go over additional payment options to help lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance form on tablet next to office supplies

The exam is sometimes covered in full by dental insurance. However, the restorative or cosmetic dental services needed are usually only partially covered. There are also usually waiting periods, yearly deductibles, annual maximums, and other red tape that need to be considered. The good news is that we welcome several popular providers, including MetLife, Humana, Cigna, and Guardian. Once we have your membership information, we can review your coverage, answer any questions you have, and help you maximize any available benefits.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Patient filling out paperwork in lobby

Of course, dental insurance isn’t the only way to make the cost of emergency dentistry more affordable. Our patients can also:

  • Sign Up for Our In-House Membership Plan – Doing so comes with several cost-saving perks, including a 20% discount on emergency treatments.
  • Take Advantage of Our Special Offers – Throughout the year, we offer periodic specials, like a $50 emergency visit with exam and X-ray.

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Patient smiling while holding small mirror

Remember, many common dental injuries are largely preventable. So, if you want to protect your smile and your wallet from harm, it’s best to incorporate healthy habits into your routine. A few examples include brushing twice a day, wearing a mouthguard during sports, and limiting your intake of foods and drinks with added sugar.

It’s important that we mention here that your biannual visits play a crucial role in preventing dental emergencies. If it has been more than six months since your last appointment, then it’s important to book one soon, even if you aren’t experiencing a toothache or any other unusual symptoms.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman in white bathrobe brushing her teeth

While we on the skilled team at Riviera Family Dentistry of Mesquite love to see our patients, we would much prefer them to prevent dental health problems than have to come in for emergency appointments. To ensure that everyone can keep their smiles healthy, beautiful, and comfortable, here are a few excellent tips that will help you protect your grin from infections and injuries.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Dental chair

The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist every six months for routine exams and cleanings. These appointments will allow us to carefully monitor your oral health, thoroughly clean the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, address problems in their early stages, and recommend better hygiene habits for you to practice at home.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home

Hand reaches for toothbrush in holder

Proper oral hygiene is your first line of defense against enamel erosion and harmful bacteria. Every day, brush at least twice, floss at least once, and rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to eliminate lingering plaque and food debris and kill infection-causing germs. This will prevent most cases of gum disease and dental infection.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

Spread of healthy foods

Your eating decisions can make a massive difference for your oral health. Be sure to get plenty of vitamins and minerals, lean protein, and healthy carbohydrates by enjoying healthy items like lean meat, fresh fruits and veggies, and white dairy products. Also take care to drink plenty of water so you can stay hydrated enough for proper circulation and healthy saliva flow. Remember to limit your intake of sugary and acidic items like sweets, soda pop, and starchy snacks.

Wear a Mouthguard

Man wears athletic mouthguard

Sporting activities are great ways to get exercise and have fun, but they can be risky for your smile if you don’t take the proper precautions. We’ll be happy to provide you with a customized athletic mouthguard that delivers superior protection for when you are playing a sport or riding a bike. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, we can fit you with a personalized nightguard that will minimize the stress this causes.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man opens bottle with opener

You should only use your teeth for smiling and chewing, so always remember to never use them to open packages or bottles. Instead, invest in an appropriate tool such as a bottle opener or a box cutter. It’s also important to avoid chewing on non-food materials such as ice, wood, metal, plastic, and fingernails.

Dental Emergency FAQs

What if My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?

If the sensitivity, pressure, or discomfort you’ve been experiencing goes away seemingly overnight, you might assume that your tooth has healed on its own. Usually, it’s the opposite: the nerve has died. This means there is only a small window of time left for us to save your tooth as well as the surrounding teeth and gums from harm. So, don’t wait – schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Mesquite right away.

Should I Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?

A chipped tooth that doesn’t hurt doesn’t typically warrant an emergency appointment. That said, you should still call us to schedule an appointment within the next day or two. That way, we can complete an exam, determine if the tooth is at risk of breaking further, and, if it is, provide the necessary restorative care.

Is It Safe to Repair Dentures with Superglue?

No, it is not safe to repair dentures with superglue. After all, this adhesive contains toxins that are not safe to ingest. Not only that, but it doesn’t work in damp environments. So, whether there is a small crack or a significant break, the best thing to do is contact our team at Riviera Family Dentistry of Mesquite.

Will My Tooth Sensitivity Eventually Go Away on Its Own?

That depends. For example, temporary dental sensitivity is expected in the days following a root canal. However, if you cannot pinpoint a trigger or your symptoms are progressively getting worse, then you shouldn’t assume that it will go away on its own. Instead, you should give us a call to share your symptoms. That way, a friendly and knowledgeable member of our team can assess the urgency of the situation and determine if you would benefit from an emergency visit to our Mesquite dental office.

Is It Safe to Use A Toothpick?

Using a toothpick is not recommended for a few reasons, including that accidentally swallowing one can be fatal. So, if you get something stuck between your teeth, don’t reach for one. Instead, rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm saltwater. Then, use a strand of floss to gently clean between your teeth. If the debris remains firmly in place, then give us a call.

Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?

If you find yourself in the middle of a dental emergency in Mesquite, it’s important to know where to turn. If you are experiencing any potentially life-threatening symptoms, like trouble breathing or swallowing, then you should go to the ER or call 911 immediately. If that’s not the case, then your first call should be to our team at Riviera Family Dentistry of Mesquite since hospitals don’t usually have dentists on staff.

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Toothaches  

Is My Toothache a Dental Emergency? Although toothaches don’t always warrant same-day treatment, they are usually a warning sign that something is wrong. For that reason, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us when any abnormal dental symptoms arise – from a persistent toothache to pain when biting down.

How You Should Handle a Toothache There are a few recommendations we have, including using a cold compress, avoiding spicy, acidic, and sugary foods, and taking an OTC pain reliever (if needed). However, to treat the root of the problem, you’ll need to visit our Mesquite emergency dentist. So, don’t wait longer than a day or two to schedule an appointment.

How We Treat Toothaches Toothaches can be treated with dental fillings, dental crowns, and root canal treatment – it really depends on the source of your pain and the severity of the problem. That’s why we need to take X-rays and conduct an oral exam before reviewing your treatment options.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Chipped Teeth  

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? Sometimes they are! For example, if you’re in pain, then a chipped tooth is definitely a dental emergency. If you aren’t, then you should still schedule an appointment within a day or two so we can conduct an exam.

How You Should Handle a Chipped Tooth Before you cover the tooth with some dental wax or sugar-free gum, we recommend gently rinsing your mouth with clean, room-temperature water. Naturally, you should also avoid chewing anything crunchy, hard, or sticky since this can cause the tooth to break further.

How We Treat Chipped Teeth Dental bonding, metal-free restorations, and veneers can all restore the look and function of a chipped tooth. The one we recommend will depend on your specific situation, including which tooth was damaged and how large the chip is.

Cracked Tooth  

Is a Cracked Tooth a Dental Emergency? If you can see that your tooth is cracked, then you should definitely schedule an appointment with our Mesquite emergency dentist right away. We also recommend getting in touch if you’re experiencing abnormal dental symptoms that could be the result of a cracked tooth, like pain when biting down.

How You Should Handle a Cracked Tooth Until you get the restorative care you need, we recommend not chewing on that side of your mouth. Additionally, you should periodically rinse with lukewarm water and, if needed, take an OTC pain reliever to stay comfortable.

How We Treat Cracked Teeth Fortunately, we can sometimes save a cracked tooth with a dental crown. If the crack is so severe that that’s no longer an option, then we will need to find another way to restore your oral health, like removing your tooth and replacing it with a dental implant.

LEARN MORE ABOUT TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Very Sensitive Teeth  

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? There are times when dental sensitivity warrants an immediate call to our Mesquite dental office, like when you’re experiencing pain when biting down or there is a pimple-like bump on your gums. If that’s not the case, then we still encourage you to visit us for an exam before the end of the week.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth Naturally, you want to avoid anything that will exacerbate your discomfort leading up to your appointment with us. That includes steering clear of acidic, sugary, and spicy foods and taking OTC pain medication as directed.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth Ultimately, the treatment we recommend will depend on what we find during your exam. If a small cavity is the root of the problem, then a dental filling may be the solution. If extensive decay is the source, then a dental crown or root canal treatment may be necessary instead.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Knocked-Out Tooth  

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? Knocked-out teeth are always a dental emergency. After all, the more time that passes, the less the chances are that we’ll be able to save your tooth! That’s why we recommend calling our Mesquite dental office ASAP – we need to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist within the hour.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Until you get to our office, one of your top priorities is saving the root of your tooth. There are a few ways you can do this. First, you can submerge the tooth in a clean container filled with milk or saline solution. Second, you can place the tooth back in its socket. However, you should only do this if the tooth slides back into place without force.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth Fortunately, we can often save a knocked-out tooth if you have it and the root is preserved. We also have the option to replace the tooth with a dental implant, which is ideal for patients who couldn’t find their tooth, or it was damaged amid the dental emergency.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Lost Filling or Crown  

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Absolutely! So, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Mesquite dental team right away. The sooner you do, the sooner we can schedule a time for you to come in and have your restoration repaired or replaced.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown Since your tooth is now vulnerable, you need to make a few adjustments, like not chewing on that side of your mouth. We also recommend storing your restoration somewhere safe, like a small, clean container.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns How we restore the look, health, and function of your smile depends largely on the damage. If a small filling came loose, then we can simply replace it. If a dental crown fell out (but it’s still in good shape), then we might be able to re-cement it back in place!

Broken Dentures  

Is My Broken Denture a Dental Emergency? Broken dentures are always a dental emergency. So, don’t hesitate to call us, even if there is only a small break in your restoration.

How You Should Handle a Broken Denture The best thing to do is put your dentures (or the pieces of your dentures) in a clean container for safekeeping and visit our Mesquite dental team.

How We Treat Broken Dentures Sometimes, we can repair broken dentures at our office, which is usually the case when the damage is minor. There are also some cases where the restoration needs to be replaced with a new traditional denture or implant denture.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL IMPLANTS

Loose Permanent Tooth  

Is a Loose Permanent Tooth a Dental Emergency? Yes, it is! The best thing to do is to call our Mesquite dental team ASAP, even if your tooth is only slightly loose.

How You Should Handle Loose Permanent Teeth Naturally, you shouldn’t chew on that side of your mouth, and you should avoid crunchy foods entirely. You also should avoid touching the tooth with your tongue or fingers since this can loosen it further.

How We Treat Loose Permanent Teeth The good news is that we can sometimes save a loose tooth with a dental splint. Other times, we need to extract it and replace it with a dental implant to restore the look and function of your smile.

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? Soft tissue injuries can take you by surprise, especially when you see how much blood can come from even a small cut. The good news is that they can usually be handled at home – without a trip to our office or the ER.

How You Should Handle an Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue First, go to the sink and rinse your mouth a few times with clean, cool water. Then, grab some gauze or a damp washcloth and use it to apply pressure to the area. Once the bleeding stops (which should be within 10 minutes), use a cold compress to alleviate the swelling.

How We Treat Injuries to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue Soft tissue injuries sometimes require medical care, like if the bleeding persists for more than 10 minutes. In that case, you should head to the ER.

Jaw Pain  

Is Jaw Pain a Dental Emergency? Jaw pain does warrant a call to our Mesquite dental office, especially if it lasts for more than 24 hours, it hurts to bite down, or you’re experiencing other abnormal dental symptoms.

How You Should Handle Jaw Pain From home, the only thing you can do is try to alleviate your discomfort in the short term. We recommend using a cold compress, sticking to soft foods, and taking an OTC pain reliever as directed.

How We Treat Jaw Pain When you arrive at our office, we will learn more about your symptoms, take X-rays, and conduct a visual exam to determine what the root of the problem is (i.e., impacted wisdom tooth, chronic teeth grinding, TMJ dysfunction).

LEARN MORE ABOUT WISDOM TOOTH EXTRACTIONS

Something Stuck Between the Teeth  

If something is stuck between your teeth, don’t ignore it. Instead, take action by rinsing thoroughly with warm saltwater and using floss to gently dislodge the debris. If that doesn’t work, call us to schedule an appointment. Do NOT use sharp objects, like tweezers, instead.