Emergency Dentist – Marshall, TX
Compassionate Care & Fast Pain Relief
Dr. Charles Parker is an emergency dentist in Marshall with over 30 years of experience in dentistry, and in that time, he has pretty much seen and done it all! If you or a loved one find yourselves in the middle of a dental emergency, give us a call, and our team will immediately spring into action. We always strive to see emergency patients the same day that they contact us because if you’re in pain, you shouldn’t be left to wait! We’ll arrange our schedule so you’re able to see Dr. Parker as soon as possible.
Why Choose Marshall Denture Clinic for Emergency Dental Care?
- Fast, Compassionate Care When You Need It Most
- Same-Day Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
- Highly Experienced Dentist with Over 30 Years of Experience
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Even if you are unsure whether or not your situation is an emergency, go ahead and give our office a call anyway. Describe your situation, and we’ll let you know if you should come see us. However, if you suspect that someone has a broken bone, or if they are bleeding for more than 10 minutes, be sure to head straight to your local emergency room.
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency that needs immediate care, here’s how you can typically expect us to treat it:
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
A dental emergency may be the result of a longstanding dental problem, or it may be the result of a traumatic injury. Thankfully, Dr. Parker and our team have plenty of experience and are well equipped to handle any urgent dental situation you may be facing. Below, you’ll find the most common dental emergencies we treat, as well as how you should handle them at home.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
The cost of emergency dentistry in Marshall varies from case to case. Treatment may be as simple as a prescription or as complex as an extensive procedure, such as root canal therapy. During your appointment, we will provide you with a candid estimate for the cost of whatever treatment we recommend. We will also help you explore your payment options. However much your treatment costs, remember that delaying or forgoing treatment will only give your dental health problem an opportunity to get worse (and become more expensive to treat).
Types of Emergency Treatment
An emergency dental exam is relatively inexpensive — some insurance policies will even completely cover the cost! However, the price of emergency treatment can either be relatively inexpensive or come with a much higher cost. It depends on which specific procedure you require. We will not be able to provide you with an estimate until we are able to assess your situation.
Some of the treatments that we often use to address dental emergencies include:
- Extractions
- Root canal therapy
- Restorations (such as crowns and fillings)
- And more!
Rest assured that we will always be transparent with you about our pricing. We don’t want you to face any unpleasant surprises!
Save Money by Caring for Your Smile
Some dental emergencies are unavoidable. Most of the time, however, they are the result of untreated damage or decay. Visiting us twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings can allow us to identify problems before they lead to an emergency.
Also, keep in mind that if you ever notice something amiss with your oral health, you should not wait until your next routine appointment to get it checked out. Rather, seek help as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse the problem may become — and the more expensive it will be to treat. For example, a filling is a relatively low-cost way to address cavities. But if a cavity becomes so deep that you require root canal therapy, you will end up paying a lot more.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance usually covers at least one emergency exam each year. Your plan is also likely to cover many of the treatments that we commonly use to address emergencies. For example, fillings are usually covered at 80%, while complex procedures like root canal therapy and crowns may be covered at around 50%. Our team will help you to navigate your insurance coverage, file your claims, and take full advantage of your policy.
As your emergency dentist in Marshall, Dr. Parker and our team are ready to help you deal with all aspects of your oral health crisis, including the financial details. Don’t hesitate to give us a call when your smile is in need of urgent care!
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Dr. Parker and our team are always ready to help you out if you face a dental emergency. However, we would much prefer it if you could avoid such a situation altogether! Although some problems are inevitable, most of the time it is possible to prevent dental emergencies in Marshall by taking a handful of simple precautions. Below, you’ll find advice for protecting your smile from disaster.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
The American Dental Association recommends that everyone attends a cleaning and checkup once every six months. These appointments clear your mouth of harmful plaque and bacteria. Plus, they give your dental team the opportunity to identify and treat most oral health problems while they are still in their early stages — before you notice that anything is amiss and long before they worsen to the point where they could cause a dental emergency.
Develop Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Your daily routine can play a huge role in helping you avoid a trip to our emergency dental office in Marshall. Maintaining strict oral hygiene is likely to prevent plaque and tartar from causing decay and gum disease. To keep a clean mouth, you should:
- Brush your teeth twice a day
- Floss once a day
- Drink plenty of water
- Use a mouthwash if recommended by your dentist
If you have any questions about oral hygiene, feel free to ask your hygienist — they are full of useful information!
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Things like candy, baked goodies, and sweet drinks are full of sugar. Enjoying such things in moderation can do much to limit bacteria growth in your mouth. Similarly, limiting your intake of highly acidic substances, such as sports drinks, can protect your enamel from erosion. It is best to stick to a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients that support oral health, such as calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin D. Apples, celery, leafy greens, and dairy products can all benefit your smile and contribute to preventing dental emergencies.
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you like to play sports? You should always wear a mouthguard when you are on the court or field, even if your activity of choice is usually considered “non-contact.” Keep in mind that over the counter mouthguards provide limited protection. Opting for a custom one from your dentist greatly reduces the risk of oral injury and concussion. Plus, custom mouthguards are much more comfortable.
Do Not Use Your Teeth as a Tool
We’ve all been there. You want to open that package that landed on your doorstep, and you don’t have a pair of scissors in sight, or you just bought some new clothes and are struggling to get the tags off. It can be tempting to use your teeth to help you! But that is unwise because the force required to open a package or tear off a tag could easily damage your tooth enamel and maybe even chip one of your teeth! Keeping a small multi-tool handy can help you to resist the temptation to use your teeth for something that they were never intended for.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Will my toothache go away on its own?
Toothaches generally don’t go away on their own. That being the case, you should see a dentist about the pain; they’ll see whether something is wrong.
You see, toothaches have many potential causes. Only a dental professional can rule them out and find the one that applies to your pain. Once they do, they’ll identify (and treat) the underlying problems before things turn more serious.
In particular, you’ll want to learn whether your toothache stems from an injury or infection. Those underlying causes demand immediate attention; failing to treat them will lead to severe oral issues.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
Sleeping with tooth pain isn’t ideal, but you should be able to manage it. You just need to use the right tips and tricks.
For example, keep your head elevated when you go to bed. Doing so prevents blood from rushing to your head and intensifying the ache. Pain in your mouth is bad enough for rest; you don’t need to do anything to make it worse.
Similarly, you can dull your discomfort before you turn in for the night. One option is to take over-the-counter pain relievers – ibuprofen, etc. On the other hand, you could apply a cold compress to the cheek nearest your tooth.
Should I visit an emergency room for my dental emergency?
In all honesty, no – you generally shouldn’t visit an emergency room for a dental emergency. It isn't equipped to handle urgent oral issues.
The main problem is that ERs don’t have dentists on staff. Therefore, the best they can do for most dental emergencies is to offer pain relievers and similar medications. Their workers don’t have the training to address a dental issue’s underlying cause.
That said, there are exceptions to this rule. You should visit an ER before a dentist if you have one (or more) of the following:
- Jaw fractures and dislocations
- Severe cuts or lacerations to the face or mouth
- A swollen abscess or infection that affects breathing
Do I need to see a dentist for a small chip in my tooth?
Even if your tooth only has a small chip, you should see your dentist for treatment. That’s the best way to avoid worse dental problems later.
Teeth simply don’t heal chips and fractures on their own; their lost enamel doesn’t grow back. Given that fact, leaving your chipped tooth alone will lead to further damage. You can avoid that outcome by seeing your dentist for a tooth-colored filling, dental crown, or other treatment options.