Don't Let A Dental Emergency Spoil Your Holiday Plans

When you imagine the perfect holiday get-together, perhaps you think of being surrounded by your loved ones gathered around the tree. But nothing ruins a Currier and Ives-worthy moment quite like a dental disaster!

Luckily, this holiday season and throughout the year, 1st In Smiles offers fast, high-quality care in the midst of a dental emergency. You shouldn’t have to let dental pain or damage interfere with your holiday plans.

In most cases, we can see you the same day that the emergency occurs. Not only does this minimize dental damage and manage pain quickly, but it also allows you to get back to what’s really important: making memories with your family and friends.

Read on for more information about how we handle dental emergencies in Plano, TX. Then, if you’re looking for top-notch care, give us a call at 972-380-8105

One important note: If you’re currently experiencing an emergency in which you can’t control the bleeding, please seek immediate medical attention. Then, we’ll help you repair any damage and get back to optimal oral health!

How Quickly Can You See Me?

At 1st In Smiles, we know that a dental disaster can strike at any time. That’s why we’ve built our office hours to include early-morning and evening hours. We’re even open on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.!

We also offer same-day emergency care. We’re committed to minimizing damage to reduce the chance you’ll need a more involved dental procedure later on. Plus, we don’t want you to have to “tough out” dental pain when we can help you manage the discomfort.

How Do I Know if I’m Having a Dental Emergency?

Particularly during the holiday season, some folks are hesitant to call 1st In Smiles because they’re unsure whether their dental pain or injury constitutes an actual “emergency.” To help you out, here are some common dental emergencies that we see, as well as what you should do if it happens to you or a loved one.

Toothache. For as small as a tooth is, it’s unbelievable how much pain it can cause if something’s amiss. Often, a bad toothache is a sign of infection that could require a root canal procedure or — worst case scenario — a tooth extraction. If you’re experiencing a terrible toothache, you can reduce swelling by applying a cold compress to your face. And give us a call! The pain usually doesn’t go away on its own. In fact, it usually just gets worse with time. We’ll help you manage the pain until you can come into our office.
Broken or knocked-out tooth. Maybe your little one was rough-housing with his cousins and all of a sudden, disaster struck. Or maybe you bit down too hard on a candy cane and realized you had broken part of your tooth. Whatever it is, a broken or knocked-out tooth requires some quick thinking and acting on your part. Rinse the tooth or its pieces in warm water, taking care to avoid the root if it has been exposed. Then, place it in a small container of milk or saliva. Alternatively, you can place a knocked-out tooth back in its socket — holding it by the crown, not the root. And call us right away.
Gum pain. Though it might be tempting to reach for painkillers or even apply alcohol to hurting gums, these measures can actually make matters worse. Instead, give us a call immediately because your pain could be related to advanced periodontal disease.
Injury. Accidents happen. If you’ve damaged tissue because of dental trauma, control the bleeding and give us a call. Taking an over-the-counter painkiller can ease some of your discomfort and swelling. Do not take aspirin if you’re having trouble controlling the bleeding.

How Much Will My Dental Emergency Cost?

This largely depends on the nature of your dental emergency and what kind of treatment you need. However, 1st In Smiles is committed to helping our patients get the excellent dental care they need when they need it. You shouldn’t have to avoid a necessary procedure because you’re afraid of its cost.

That’s why we offer several payment options, including:

Cash
Person check
Credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa)

We’re a registered CareCredit provider as well. Patients who qualify can enjoy 12-month, no-interest financing and long-term low-interest financing plans to help ease any financial burden.

We also offer in-office financing for more expensive procedures, where you can pay half up front and the remainder in three easy payments over the next three months. Just ask our friendly administrative team if you qualify.

Keep Us in Mind if Emergency Strikes

Hopefully, you’ll never need to call us for a dental emergency. But keep our phone number on hand in case you do experience a dental mishap during the busy holiday season or anytime during the year.

Call 1st In Smiles at 972-380-8105 You can also contact us using our convenient online form.