Emergency Dentist in Fort Worth

Problems that need same-day attention

Some issues can wait a day or two. Others get worse quickly or risk losing a tooth. Call us right away for any of the following.

• A permanent tooth knocked out or pushed out of place
• A tooth broken with sharp pain or visible pink center
• Swelling in the gums, face, or jaw
• A throbbing toothache that keeps you awake
• Bleeding that does not slow with pressure
• A pimple-like bump on the gum, which may mean infection

What to do right now

Knocked-out tooth: Pick it up by the crown, the part you chew with, and avoid touching the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly with milk or water without scrubbing. Try to place it back in the socket and bite gently on a clean cloth. If that is not possible, keep it in a cup of milk or tucked in your cheek, and get to a dentist quickly. A baby tooth should not be put back in.

Broken tooth: Rinse with warm water and save any pieces. Press gauze on any bleeding area and use a cold pack on your cheek to limit swelling. Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax.

Swelling: Hold a cold compress on the outside of your face, 15 minutes on and 15 off. Do not apply heat, which can spread infection. Call us the same day, because swelling often means an infection that needs treatment.

Toothache: Rinse with warm salt water and floss gently to remove any trapped food. An over-the-counter pain reliever can help if it is safe for you. Do not place aspirin directly on the gum, since it can burn the tissue.

When to go to the ER instead

Some situations need a hospital emergency room before a dental office. Go to the nearest ER or call 911 if you have swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow, swelling spreading toward your eye or down your neck, a high fever with facial swelling, a possible broken jaw, or a serious head injury.

Once the urgent medical problem is under control, we can treat the tooth that caused it. The ER can manage infection and pain but usually cannot repair teeth.

Emergency dentist in Fort Worth, TX: how we help

When you call, our team asks a few quick questions to understand how urgent things are. Smiles Family Dental makes room for emergency appointments, and we aim to see you as soon as possible. Our Hulen St. office is easy to reach from Westover Hills, the TCU area, and much of west Fort Worth.

Our first goal is to relieve your pain. We then explain what is wrong and your options, from a simple filling to a root canal or extraction. You get clear costs before we start anything beyond pain relief.

If you reach us outside office hours, leave a message with your name, number, and what happened. For a true medical emergency, do not wait for a call back: go to the ER or dial 911.

Lowering your risk of the next emergency

Many emergencies start as small problems that were easy to miss. A cavity can grow into an abscess, and a cracked filling can turn into a broken tooth. Regular checkups help us catch these early.

Wear a mouthguard for contact sports, and ask about a night guard if you clench or grind at night. Avoid chewing ice, hard candy, and popcorn kernels. These small habits can save you a painful surprise later.

Handling a lost crown or filling

A crown or filling that falls out is not always an emergency, but it should be fixed soon. The tooth underneath may be sensitive and is more likely to break or decay while it is exposed. Keep the crown in a safe container and bring it to your visit.

Until you can be seen, avoid chewing on that side. Pharmacies sell temporary dental cement that can hold a crown in place for a short time. Do not use household glue, which can harm the tooth and gums. If the crown came off with part of the tooth still inside, or if there is pain or swelling, call us the same day.