PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DENTIST – FORT WORTH, TX
In Moments of Stress & Discomfort, You Can Count on Us
Accidents happen, especially with curious and adventurous children! If your kiddo chips a tooth on the playground or is complaining of a persistent toothache that won’t seem to go away, you can count on our Trinity Pediatric Dentistry team to provide them with timely and effective pediatric emergency dental care. Dr. Thorburn is also happy to offer safe children’s sedation dentistry, root canal treatment and pulp therapy, and in-house tooth extractions, so we can take care of everything from the examination and diagnosis to their treatment. Call us today to schedule a same-day or after-hours appointment if your child is in pain or experiencing a dental emergency.
Why Choose Trinity Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day & After-Hours Emergency Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentist with 10+ Years of Experience & Training
- Safe Children’s Dental Sedation Available
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Call Us. During a children’s dental emergency in Fort Worth, the first step you should take is to call our office. Our team will provide you with first-aid guidance over the phone to help ease your little one’s discomfort and prevent any further oral damage. We’ll then schedule a same-day appointment for them.
- Come In. As soon as you arrive at our practice, Dr. Thorburn and our phenomenal team will help your child get comfortable before capturing diagnostic images and conducting a thorough examination of their mouth. Once Dr. Thorburn can identify what’s causing their discomfort or the extent of the physical trauma, she’ll create a treatment plan and walk you through it. We want to answer any questions you may have, whether that’s associated with cost, what the procedure will entail, or the recovery process.
- Get Treatment. Once we answer all of your questions and you have consented to moving forward with treatment, our team will jump into action healing your kiddo’s smile!
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
We see a wide variety of dental emergencies, from tooth sensitivity to knocked-out teeth and toothaches, but we recommend calling our office if your child is experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary dental symptoms. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common situations we see, but we recommend that you give us a call if you’re ever unsure of whether your child requires emergency assistance.
Understanding the Cost of Pediatric Emergency Dentistry
When your loved one is experiencing a dental emergency, the last thing you want to have to worry about is whether you can afford the services needed to address the root problem. Many parents and guardians want to know what they can expect to pay for their child’s visit in advance, but the rate depends on their unique circumstances.
Continue reading to learn more about how the cost of pediatric emergency dental visits is determined, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions.
Every Pediatric Dental Emergency is Unique
It’s practically impossible to provide an estimate before Dr. Thorburn has examined your child’s condition and knows what’s required to address any areas of concern. There are many reasons your little one might need a same-day visit, and some problems are easier to treat than others.
For instance, sensitivity can sometimes be reduced with a less abrasive toothpaste or by switching to a soft-bristle toothbrush. However, other issues, like cavities, gum disease, or infections, require more involved procedures like fillings, professional cleanings, or root canals, which cost more.
After we have identified the underlying concern behind your child’s urgent problem, we’ll provide potential treatment plans complete with pricing and walk you through the information for your approval before proceeding.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?
Many insurance policies include at least partial coverage for your kid’s emergency situation, but every plan is different, and there are no guarantees, so it’s worth checking your details.
For example, your insurance might include an emergency exam and imaging. But it might only cover part of the cost for necessary services, like root canals and dental crowns, to alleviate their toothache and safeguard their smile.
If you’re unsure of what’s included in your policy, please don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance! Our friendly office staff is familiar with different insurance providers and is happy to help you maximize your family’s available benefits for your child’s emergency.
Other Options for Making Pediatric Dental Emergencies Affordable
Although dental insurance is a simple and effective way to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for your child’s emergency dental appointment, Dr. Thorburn and the rest of our team understand that not all families in Fort Worth carry a policy. However, we also believe that all kids deserve top-quality services to protect and preserve their still-developing smiles.
As a result, we offer flexible financial plans through CareCredit. If your application is approved, you can divide the final invoice for your child’s visit into smaller installments over a designated period until it's paid in full.
How Taking Care Of Your Child’s Smile Can Save Money
We understand that the cost of your child’s dental emergency can add up quickly, but thankfully, there are things you can do to avoid experiencing another one in the future. While many problems are due to circumstances beyond your control, you can help your child prevent issues by investing in routine dental visits and establishing a twice-daily at-home dental hygiene routine.
Scheduling a standard checkup and cleaning for your little one every six months allows our team to catch and treat areas of concern, like thinning enamel or swollen gums, before they become more severe. Also, brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque and bacteria that contribute to cavities, gum disease, and other injuries.
Generally, it costs less to invest in proper maintenance than to pay for repairs after your child develops an emergency.
Keys to Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Even relatively mild dental injuries usually come with a lot of pain and stress. That’s why our Fort Worth dental team wants to help you protect your child’s smile from harm! With this in mind, keep reading to learn the keys to preventing common pediatric dental emergencies, like chipped, cracked, and knocked-out teeth.
Schedule a Dental Checkup Every Six Months
Routine dental visits with Dr. Meghan Thorburn aren’t just a suggestion; they are crucial. There are a few reasons for this, starting with the fact that periodic exams ensure that tooth decay and other issues are diagnosed and treated ASAP. The cleaning portion of these appointments is equally as important because it allows us to gently remove plaque and tartar while also cleaning the hard-to-reach areas of your child’s mouth that are often missed while brushing and flossing.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, routine checkups and cleanings alone won’t cut it; your child also needs to take good care of their smile on a daily basis. That starts with brushing for two full minutes each morning and extends to flossing their teeth each night before bed. Oftentimes, this can feel like a chore for little ones, so do your best to make it fun by playing music or completing your oral hygiene routine together!
Keep Sugary Foods to a Minimum
Like many other children, your child may love all things sugar. Unfortunately, frequent consumption of ice cream, taffy, and lollipops can quickly lead to tooth decay. For this reason, we encourage parents to do their best to offer healthy, well-balanced meals that are filled with nutrient-dense foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, instead. It’s also important to encourage your little one to drink water throughout the day to keep them hydrated and prevent dry mouth.
Have a Custom Mouthguard Made
Is your child on their school’s soccer team? Maybe they prefer a solo sport, like skateboarding or rollerblading. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good idea to have a custom mouthguard made. That way, their teeth and gums are protected, reducing their risk of sustaining a serious soft-tissue injury or knocking out a tooth.
Break Bad Habits
Finally, you need to break any existing bad habits. A few examples include nail-biting, chewing on ice cubes, and chewing on pens/pencils. If you notice your child doing one of these, then kindly redirect them. It will likely take consistent follow-up to fully break the habit, but it’s well worth it, especially when it comes to something as important as your child’s oral health.
If you want to learn more about preventing dental emergencies in Fort Worth, or you have a question for us about dental insurance, don’t hesitate to take the next step: schedule a consultation!
Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs
With good habits in place – like wearing a mouthguard when playing sports and implementing a solid oral hygiene regimen – your child may never experience a dental emergency. However, it’s always a good idea to be prepared just in case one does arise. That’s why we’ve dedicated this next section to answering FAQs about pediatric dental emergencies!
Will my child’s toothache go away on its own?
From eating something really cold to injuring their tooth on the playground, toothaches can arise for all sorts of reasons. If your child’s discomfort persists, we strongly recommend making them an appointment. That way, our Fort Worth pediatric dentist can take a look at their teeth and gums, determining if any restorative care is needed in the process.
Do chipped teeth heal?
No, chipped teeth cannot heal on their own. So, whether the damage seems relatively minor or is severe enough to cause your child pain, you should contact us ASAP. From there, we can determine if same-day treatment is necessary. If it isn’t, then we will provide you with a few helpful tips on how to care for their smile in the meantime and schedule an appointment within the next couple of days.
Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?
Although a knocked-out baby tooth does warrant a visit to our office, same-day treatment isn’t always necessary. For example, if the tooth was knocked out around the time it would’ve naturally fallen out anyway, bringing your child in for an exam before the end of the week should suffice. However, if they are in pain or the tooth came out much too soon, then we’ll likely recommend bringing them to our office right away.
What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?
Having an emergency dental kit on hand is always a good idea, but it’s especially helpful if you have children. If you don’t currently have one, you have a few options. First, you can order one online. Second, you can make your own with the following items:
- A small storage container for teeth
- Sterile gloves (ideally nitrile)
- Gauze pads and dressings
- Cotton balls
- Dental cement (or another temporary filling material)
- Petroleum jelly
- Anti-inflammatories
- A topical anesthetic
- Floss
- Ice pack
- Our phone number and address
How should I help my child sleep with tooth pain?
If your child is struggling with a painful toothache, there’s good news: there are a few simple steps that will help alleviate their discomfort. First, make them a dinner that doesn’t contain any crunchy, acidic, spicy, or sugary foods since this will only exacerbate the soreness they are feeling. Second, give them a cold compress to place against the outside of their cheek for about 10 minutes at a time. Third, prop them up on a few pillows so their head stays elevated as they sleep.
Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Sedation Dentistry for Kids View Our Services