Emergency Dentistry – Flint, MI
Fast, Pain-Relieving Care
When You Need It
Dental emergencies always happen at the least expected moments. In a state of shock and pain, it can be hard to react quickly and effectively to ensure that no additional harm comes to your mouth. With Healthy Smiles Dental Care’s phone number on-hand, you can count on getting over-the-phone guidance and fast, pain-relieving emergency dental care in these difficult times. If you are experiencing oral pain or believe that anything is wrong, call our dental office as soon as possible for emergency dentistry in Flint, MI.
Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care for Emergency Dentistry?
- We Offer a Complete Menu of Dental Services
- Trusted Dental Specialists on Staff
- Dental Sedation Methods Available
Common Dental Emergencies
Handling dental emergencies can be difficult, but as long as you call our dental office first, we’ll be able to provide you with first-aid guidance and make sure that your smile doesn’t sustain any additional damage. The moments before you get to our dental office are crucial, and we’ll be here to help you through it all. Below, we’ve outlined some general tips and advice on how to handle these situations after you’ve called us to schedule an emergency visit.
Toothaches
Throbbing toothaches that are persistent are a common sign of an infection hidden deep beneath the surface of the tooth. To help with the pain, you can take an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or place a cold compress on your jaw for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off. This will also help bring down any swelling.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
Retrieve the broken-off piece of your tooth and rinse it under a cool stream of water. Place it in a baggie or sealable container and bring it to your appointment. If the broken edge of your tooth is a sharp point, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over it to shield your lips and the inside of your cheek.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Time is of the essence, so it’s important to act quickly and try to get to our dental office within an hour of the incident. Retrieve your knocked-out tooth by only picking it up by the biting surface, not the roots. Gently rinse it beneath a cool stream of water, being sure to not scrub it, and place it in a sealable container of salt water or milk. If the area is bleeding, hold a piece of sterile gauze over it.
Lost Filling/Crown
If you’re able to find your restoration, you can rinse it off and temporarily place it back on your tooth using a dab of denture adhesive or toothpaste. Whether it’s lost or broken, it’s crucial to come to our dental office as soon as possible so we can repair or replace it. This will help you avoid a tooth infection.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While you can’t completely avoid dental emergencies, there are some ways that you can reduce your risk of experiencing one. Here are some tips to avoid the emergency treatment chair:
- Brush and floss twice each day to prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
- Break bad habits like biting your fingernails and chewing on tips of pens.
- Protect your teeth from harmful habits like bruxism.
- Wear a mouthguard while playing any sports.
- Maintain a healthy diet and keep hydrated with water.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
While you should always focus on restoring your oral health and saving your teeth, you still need to carefully consider the cost of your emergency dental care. No two emergency visits are alike, so there will be a number of factors to consider when figuring out the final price. Take the time to review the information below so that you have a general idea of what you’ll need to think about during an emergency so that you have the confidence to get dental care without panicking about the price.
Different Treatments for Different Emergencies
The final cost of emergency care naturally depends on the type of treatment you receive. Different forms of care are offered depending on your needs:
- Root canal therapy is offered as a solution for infected teeth.
- Dental crowns are used to repair and protect teeth that have become injured or decayed.
- Extractions might be required if a tooth is too badly damaged for a crown or has already decayed past the point where root canal therapy can save it.
Other treatments might be offered depending on our findings. We will always explain the situation in detail to you, and we’ll outline the estimated costs before you commit to any form of treatment.
Saving Money by Taking Care of Your Smile
Taking a preventive approach to dental care will save you money in the long run. While there are plenty of dental emergencies – such as trauma from a sudden blow to the mouth – that can’t be avoided, good oral hygiene and routine dental appointments can help you avoid the long-term damage that can be inflected by tooth decay and infection. Stopping cavities and gum disease before they start could ultimately save you hundreds of dollars.
You should call our office as soon as you realize that something is wrong with your teeth or gums. Many emergencies are far more manageable in their early stages, meaning the cost to treat them is generally lower. Waiting for too long could make the problem more complex, meaning the solutions become more costly as well. Dealing with a toothache right away means you could potentially avoid the cost of an extraction as a well as tooth replacement.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance focuses on preventive care, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any money set aside from emergencies. Many plans will cover at least one emergency exam per year, and you’ll generally receive 50% to 80% coverage for restorative services. You do need to consider the yearly maximum amount that your plan is willing to cover each year. Also, you’ll need to meet your plan’s deductible before your plan is willing to pay for any sort of care.
Other Options for Affordable Emergency Care
When a treatment isn’t fully covered by dental insurance, you can apply for dental financing to pay the cost of care in a series of smaller monthly payments that are easier for you to manage. Our practice also has a dental savings plans that allows you to enjoy discounts on our services without worrying about premiums, deductibles, and other headaches related to dental insurance. Contact our office to learn more about your financial options so that you’re prepared for the worst well ahead of time.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
When you’re in the midst of a dental emergency, it can be difficult to think clearly and act quickly, because you’ll likely be in shock and discomfort. As long as you have our phone number on hand, we can help you navigate your situation and schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible. We’ve also included some common questions that our patients ask below to help you reduce your risk of sustaining additional oral damage.
What should I do if my jaw is fractured?
If you believe that your jaw is fractured or broken, you’re having difficulty swallowing, or you aren’t breathing normally, then you should seek immediate medical attention at your local emergency room. These issues could be life-threatening and must first be addressed medically before finding long-lasting treatments to keep additional oral damage from occurring down the road. Once you’ve visited the ER and received medical treatment, be sure to schedule an appointment with our team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care in Flint so we can make sure that you don’t have TMJ dysfunction or other oral issues that could arise from trauma.
How can I address facial swelling?
If you notice that your mouth or face is swelling, it’s important to contact your emergency dentist in Flint as soon as possible. To bring down the puffiness, you can place a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10 minutes on, 10 minutes off, for up to an hour until you arrive at our office. This will also help minimize any discomfort you feel.
What items should I include in my emergency dental kit?
The best way to keep dental emergencies from becoming even more severe than they initially are is to be prepared. You can do this by creating a dental emergency kit to keep in your home, car, or at work. Here are some items that you’ll want to be sure to include in your kit’:
- Latex-free gloves
- Ibuprofen
- A dental mirror
- Sterile, individually wrapped gauze pads
- Orajel
- Saline rinse solution
- A container large enough to fit a tooth
What should I do if I’m afraid of the dentist but desperately need treatment?
If you’re afraid of the dentist but need emergency treatment, don’t hesitate to call our team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care. We offer multiple sedation dentistry methods to help you feel relaxed and calm while you’re in the treatment chair, making your overall experience less traumatic.