Emergency Dental Care in Duncanville: What to Do Before You Call

By Duncanville Dental Care | September 12, 2025

Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them—a sudden toothache, a chipped tooth, or even a knocked-out tooth. While your first step should always be to contact an emergency dentist, knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make a big difference. At Duncanville Dental Care, we provide urgent dental services for patients across Duncanville, TX. Here’s what you should do before you call our office.

Female patient consulting with a dentist about severe tooth pain during an emergency dental appointment in a clinic.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

A dental emergency can feel stressful, but staying calm helps you take the right next steps. Start by identifying what type of emergency you’re experiencing. Common issues include:

  • Severe toothaches

  • Knocked-out or chipped teeth

  • Broken crowns or fillings

  • Dental abscesses or infections

  • Oral injuries causing bleeding or swelling

Once you know what’s happening, you can take temporary steps to protect your tooth and relieve discomfort before reaching our office.

What to Do for Common Dental Emergencies

Severe Toothache

  • Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.

  • Use floss to check if food or debris is stuck.

  • Apply a cold compress to reduce pain or swelling.

  • Avoid placing aspirin directly on the tooth or gums.

Chipped or Broken Tooth

  • Save any broken pieces if possible.

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water.

  • Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

  • Call us right away—delaying care can lead to further damage.

Knocked-Out Tooth

  • Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root.

  • Rinse it gently with water—do not scrub.

  • If possible, reinsert it into the socket and hold it in place.

  • If not, place it in milk or saliva to keep it moist.

  • Get to our office within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.

Lost Crown or Filling

  • If a crown comes off, try to slip it back on using toothpaste or dental cement (from a pharmacy) as a temporary fix.

  • For lost fillings, dental cement can also cover the space temporarily.

  • Call us promptly to avoid sensitivity or further damage.

Swelling or Abscess

  • Rinse with warm salt water to ease discomfort.

  • Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling.

  • Seek care immediately—dental infections can spread quickly.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

Prompt treatment in a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing a tooth. Even if your pain subsides, problems like infections, fractures, or lost restorations can worsen without professional care. That’s why we encourage Duncanville patients to call us right away—your oral health and comfort are our top priority.

Emergency Dentistry at Duncanville Dental Care

At Duncanville Dental Care, we offer same-day emergency appointments to treat urgent issues quickly and effectively. Our team combines modern technology with compassionate care to relieve pain, repair damage, and protect your long-term oral health.

Call Your Duncanville Emergency Dentist Today

If you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait—take the steps above, then call Duncanville Dental Care right away. We’ll guide you over the phone and prepare for your arrival so you can get relief as quickly as possible.

Located in Duncanville, TX, we’re proud to serve families across the community with reliable emergency dental care.