What Qualifies As Emergency Dental Care?
Your tooth can be saved if you know the difference between an urgent and a non-urgent dental emergency. For example, an emergency dentist will need to treat a knocked-out tooth the same day, even if the accident happened during office hours. Other dental emergencies, like a lost porcelain crown, may not be as important and can be taken care of during normal business hours. This article will take you through some important aspects you need to know about emergency dental care.
What is a Dental Emergency?
If you have a chipped tooth, abscess or infection, or if you’ve had a tooth knocked out, it’s probably a dental emergency. If you’re experiencing pain or swelling, you should contact your dentist immediately. They will ask you some questions and direct you to the proper course of treatment.
Urgent Dental Emergencies
If you have severe tooth pain or a cut on your gums, cheeks, or tongue, you need to see a dentist right away. If you find yourself experiencing any of the below, you need emergency dental care.
- Bad tooth pain
- Dental abscess
- Loss of teeth
- Tooth knocked out
- The tooth is broken or a big piece is missing.
- The tooth with a large crack or chip
- A broken jawline
- Damage to your gums from injuries
Most Common Dental Emergencies
When experiencing a toothache, you might be inclined to immediately think it’s a dental emergency when it might not be. Here are some of the more common dental emergencies:
Toothache
When food gets stuck in between your teeth, this can cause tooth pain. Flossing can sometimes help with toothaches that aren’t too bad. Warm water should also be used to swish. If the pain doesn’t go away, make an appointment with our emergency dentist. If you have a tooth cavity, the dentist will likely be able to fix it by putting a filling or a crown on the tooth. If you act quickly, your treatment will be less invasive.
Abscess
Having a dental abscess requires an immediate visit to the dentist, so they can safely drain the abscess. Then, depending on how bad the infection is, our dentist may recommend scaling and root planing, a root canal, or even pulling the tooth. Please remember, a dental abscess is not something that can resolve itself.
Loose teeth
Teeth are held in place by the gums, jawbone, and other teeth. Because of this, many things can loosen a tooth. Your tooth may be loose because your gums are receding, you are losing bone in your jaw, or you have already lost teeth. If you were hit in the face, you might also have a loose tooth.
Tooth knocked out
Within 30 minutes you’ll need to see an emergency dentist. Ensure you pick up the tooth by its crown, not the roots. Rinse the tooth and submerge it in milk while making your way to the nearest dental office.
Broken or cracked teeth
While you wait for your appointment with your dentist, it’s advised to rinse your mouth with warm water or use a cold compress on your cheek to ease the pain you’re experiencing.
The Cost of an Emergency Dental Visit
An emergency visit to your dentist costs significantly less than a trip to the Emergency Room, and the dentist can actually treat your condition. However, if you’re worried about paying for emergency dental treatment, there are some options to ease the burden.
Do you know the cost of an emergency dental visit? A typical Emergency Room visit for dental emergency costs between $400 and $1500? That’s a steep price to pay for somebody to write you a prescription and then refer you to a dentist. Emergency rooms are not equipped to treat dental emergencies, so why not just start with your dentist?
Oh, you don’t have dental insurance? Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many Americans have some form of health insurance but no dental coverage. At Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics, we understand that not having insurance makes it hard to get the care you need. That’s why we offer an affordable dental savings plan, starting at just $29 per person!
Some dentists offer payment plans to break the cost up into manageable instalments. There are also independent insurance providers that offer dental insurance outside of your regular health plan.
Possibly the best way to save on emergency dental visits is dental savings or discount plan through your dentist’s office. Many dentists offer savings plans to help cover the costs of treatment, including emergency visits.
Our Dental Savings Plan can be used for individuals, couples, and families for an entire year. It includes free unlimited emergency exams, so you don’t have to put off a visit when you need it the most.
If you have a dental emergency and need treatment now, we’re here for you. Even if you don’t have insurance, find the office nearest you and make an appointment online. Plus, remember to sign up for our Dental Savings Plan and start saving all year long!
