EMERGENCIES

Grand Prairie Children’s Dentistry will provide emergency care for all individuals during normal hours of business. 

Emergency care beyond normal hours of business can be provided only to individuals who are patients of record.  True dental emergencies requiring immediate care during evenings or weekends are directed to previous dental- care providers, or to the nearest emergency-care facility.  If your attempt to contact Grand Prairie Children’s Dentistry is unsuccessful, or if your message remains unanswered after 20 minutes, you are directed to the emergency-care facility nearest you.

Contact GPCD: 
TEL: 972-522-0660
Monday - Thursday  8:30-5:30
Friday  8:30-2:00

No specific schedule is established during normal hours of business for emergencies.  You may contact Grand Prairie Children’s Dentistry if your child experiences a dental emergency to receive recommendations and/or an appointed time.  As these appointed times are based either on openings in the day’s schedule or on changing the day’s schedule, understanding and flexibility in your own schedule is appreciated.  Every effort will be made to meet your needs.  Should you arrive for your child’s appointment to find the schedule is delayed because of another child’s emergency, you will be notified and given an opportunity to reschedule.  Please remain mindful your child would receive the same priority consideration in an emergency.

You can aid a successful outcome for your child’s dental emergency.  The following are common dental emergencies, and tips for managing them.

• LOST PERMANENT TOOTH:  If an accident has caused a permanent tooth to be out of the mouth it is important to act quickly.  Handle the tooth by the crown (or the part of the tooth used for biting), and gently rinse the tooth with water over a covered drain.  DO NOT SCRUB THE TOOTH OR REMOVE ATTACHED SOFT TISSUE.  Because the tooth should not be allowed to become overly dry it is best to gently place tooth back in its original position in the mouth.  OBSERVE THE SURROUNDING TEETH TO BE SURE TOOTH IS PROPERLY ORIENTED.  If unable, tooth may be stored in one of the following:  an emergency tooth preservation kit, milk, inside the mouth by the cheeks (CAREFUL NOT TO SWALLOW!), or in water with a small amount of salt.  Contact the dental office immediately to receive instructions.  The tooth has a far better possibility of being saved if the it can be reimplanted within one hour of it being lost.
  
  
• LOST PRIMARY TOOTH:  If an accident has caused a primary/”baby” tooth to be out of the mouth it should not be placed back in the mouth.  Reimplanting primary teeth can cause infection and can damage the developing permanent tooth.  It is still recommended you contact the dental office to arrange for an evaluation of the tooth’s previous location and surrounding tissues.
  
  
• CRACKED or BROKEN TOOTH:  If an accident has caused part of the tooth to be lost, clean the area with warm water rinses and apply a cold compress to that area of the face to minimize swelling.  Try to locate and preserve the tooth part (in tooth preservation kit, milk, water with salt), and immediately contact the dental office for instructions.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REATTACH TOOTH PART.  An evaluation of the remaining tooth portion and surrounding tissues will determine if/what treatment is required.  A well-preserved tooth can sometimes the tooth portion can be used in restoring the tooth’s appearance and function.
  
  
• LOOSE TOOTH:  If an accident causes a tooth to become loose, or change its position, please contact the dental office.  Not all loose teeth require treatment.  Details you provide will assist in determining if immediate evaluation is required.
  
  
• BROKEN FACE BONES:  A cold compress should be applied to the area to minimize swelling.  Contact the dental office or an emergency-care facility immediately.
  
  
• TOOTHACHE: Clean with gentle brushing, flossing, and/or warm salt-water rinses.  Contact the dental office to arrange for an evaluation if pain persists.  Avoid the application of hard, sharp instruments that can damage the tooth or surrounding tissues.  Avoid placement of painkilling pills (aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc.) next to tooth or surrounding tissues as this may produce a chemical burn.
  
  
• SWOLLEN and/or BLEEDING GUMS:  Possible causesinclude deposits of food or bacteria, viruses possibly transferred to the mouth via contact with hands or foreign objects, erupting teeth, accidental trauma, abscess (infection from tooth decay that has been allowed to grow beyond the tooth).  Clean with gentle brushing, flossing, and/or warm salt-water rinses.  Avoid use of mouthwashes that can irritate.  Contact the dental office to arrange for an evaluation if pain and/or fever develop.  Or if gentle cleaning does not improve condition.

PLEASE NOTE: Dental emergencies which involve a loss of consciousness, open wounds which continue to bleed, or swelling that interferes with normal opening of the mouth or the eyes are referred FIRST to the emergency-care facility nearest you.