Dental Emergency in McKinney? Here’s Your Action Plan

When a dental emergency strikes in McKinney, knowing what to do can make the difference between saving and losing a tooth. We understand that dental emergencies never happen at convenient times—whether it’s 3 AM or during your lunch break, that sharp pain from a cracked tooth or the panic of a knocked-out tooth can leave you feeling overwhelmed.
At our McKinney dental practice, we’ve handled countless emergency dentist situations across our five experienced doctors and 60+ staff members. Dr. Trevor Madden, our emergency medicine expert, emphasizes that same-day dental care isn’t just about convenience—it’s often essential for preserving your oral health and preventing more complex, costly treatments later.
We’ve created this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the most common dental emergencies. You’ll learn when to call us immediately, how to manage pain safely, and what McKinney emergency dental services we provide to get you out of pain quickly.

When to Call Our Emergency Line Immediately

True dental emergencies require immediate professional attention. Please don’t hesitate to contact our practice right away if you experience:

• Severe, unrelenting tooth pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• A knocked-out permanent tooth (timing is critical—every minute matters)
• Uncontrolled bleeding from your mouth
• Facial swelling that interferes with breathing or swallowing
• A broken tooth with sharp edges that are cutting your tongue or cheek
• Signs of serious infection (fever, facial swelling, bitter taste)

Situations That Can Usually Wait Until Morning

While uncomfortable, these dental issues typically aren’t true emergencies:

• Small chips without pain or sharp edges
• Lost fillings or crowns causing only mild discomfort
• Food stuck between teeth that you can’t remove with floss
• Mild sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Sore gums without other symptoms

Your Emergency Response Action Plan

For Knocked-Out Teeth

Time is critical—you have roughly 30 minutes for the best chance of successful reimplantation.

1. Handle the tooth by the crown only (the white part you see when you smile—never touch the root)
2. Rinse very gently with milk or clean water if the tooth is dirty
3. Try to place it back in the socket if possible, bite down gently on a clean cloth
4. If you can’t reinsert it, store the tooth in milk, your saliva, or a tooth preservation kit

Call our office immediately for emergency treatment

Important: Don’t scrub the tooth or remove any tissue fragments attached to the root.

For Severe Toothaches

For immediate pain relief while you contact us:

• Rinse with warm salt water (½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water)
• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek for 15-20 minutes
• Take over-the-counter pain medication following package directions
• Never place aspirin directly on your tooth or gums—this can cause chemical burns

For Broken or Chipped Teeth

1. Collect any tooth pieces you can find and bring them with you
2. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
3. Protect sharp edges with dental wax, sugar-free gum, or even soft wax from a candle
4. Use a cold compress on the outside of your face if there’s swelling

Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing on the damaged tooth

Emergency Dental Services We Provide

Our same-day emergency treatments include:

• Pain diagnosis and relief for severe toothaches
• Emergency tooth extractions when teeth cannot be saved
• Root canal therapy to treat infected teeth and eliminate pain
• Temporary and permanent dental crowns for broken teeth
• Emergency dental fillings for cavities causing severe discomfort
• Treatment of dental abscesses and infections

Dr. Trevor Madden’s emergency protocol ensures we see emergency patients the same day they call, often within just a few hours. Our well-equipped facility with five specialists allows us to handle complex emergency cases in-house that other offices might need to refer out during your time of need.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

Prevention is always better than emergency treatment. Here’s what we recommend to our patients:

• Wear a custom mouthguard during sports (we can make one that fits properly)
• Avoid chewing hard objects like ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy
• Never use your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles
• Keep up with regular checkups every six months to catch small problems early
• Address minor dental issues promptly before they become painful emergencies

What to Do Right Now

Before an emergency happens, save our office contact number in your phone and establish care with our practice. We strongly believe in building relationships with our patients before they need urgent care.

If you’re currently experiencing a dental emergency, call us immediately. For non-urgent situations, schedule a comprehensive exam to help us identify and address potential problems before they become painful emergencies.

Contact our McKinney dental practice today to schedule your preventive appointment or keep this guide accessible for when dental emergencies occur. Remember: quick action and professional care give you the best chance of preserving your smile.

Common Questions About Dental Emergencies