When your tooth starts throbbing at 9 p.m. or a crown pops off during dinner, the first question is always the same: do I need to see a dentist right now, or can this wait? Knowing the difference can save you a tooth — and an unnecessary trip to the ER. Here’s how our Arlington team helps patients decide, and what to do in the meantime.
True dental emergencies: call the same day
Some situations should never wait. If any of these apply, call Madison Square Dental at (817) 275-2229 — we set aside time for same-day emergency appointments.
- A knocked-out permanent tooth. Time matters most here. Handle the tooth by the crown (not the root), rinse it gently, and if possible place it back in the socket or keep it in milk. Seen within about an hour, a knocked-out tooth can often be saved.
- Severe, persistent toothache or facial swelling. Swelling of the face or jaw can signal an infection that needs prompt attention. An untreated dental infection can spread, so don’t wait it out.
- Uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction or injury that doesn’t slow with firm gauze pressure after 20–30 minutes.
- A cracked or broken tooth with pain. A fracture that exposes the inner tooth can quickly become infected — early treatment often means the difference between a simple repair and a root canal.
Urgent, but usually next-day
These problems deserve a prompt call, but with sensible home care they can typically wait until the next available appointment:
- A lost filling or crown. Keep the crown if you have it. Avoid chewing on that side; drugstore dental cement can protect the tooth for a day or two.
- A chipped tooth without pain. Save any fragments and cover sharp edges with dental wax.
- Mild, intermittent tooth sensitivity. Often a sign of early decay or a worn filling — best evaluated soon, before it escalates.
- Broken braces wire or appliance. Cover the wire with orthodontic wax and call for guidance.
What you can do at home first
While you wait for your appointment: rinse with warm salt water, use a cold compress on the outside of the cheek for swelling, and take over-the-counter pain relief as directed on the label. Never place aspirin directly against the gum — it burns the tissue — and avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods on the affected side.
Dentist or emergency room?
Hospital ERs can manage pain and prescribe antibiotics, but they generally cannot treat the tooth itself. For almost every dental problem, a dentist is the faster and far less expensive path to actually fixing the cause. The exception: go to the ER first for trauma involving a possible jaw fracture, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling that is closing the eye or throat. Those are medical emergencies.
What happens at a same-day emergency visit
At our Arlington office, an emergency visit starts with a focused exam and any needed X-rays so we can find the true source of the pain. We’ll stabilize the problem the same day — whether that means starting an infection on antibiotics, placing a temporary restoration, or handling an extraction when a tooth can’t be saved. Then we’ll walk you through your options, with clear pricing, before anything else is done. If you’ve been told elsewhere that you need major treatment, we’re also happy to provide a second opinion so you can decide with confidence.
How to reach us fast
Madison Square Dental has served Arlington families for more than 40 years from our office at 803 Washington Dr. If you’re having a dental emergency in Arlington, Grand Prairie, or the surrounding area, call (817) 275-2229 and tell us what’s happening — we’ll get you in as soon as possible, often the same day. You can also request a visit anytime through our contact page.
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional dental care. If you have severe swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a possible jaw injury, seek emergency medical care immediately.