Emergency Dentist – 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
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Emergency Appointment: Upon receiving your call, we’ll ask about your situation and give you any advice you might need to manage the problem at home. We’ll make room in our schedule to see you as soon as we can.
- Emergency Exam: An examination of your mouth will be completed to determine the true nature and severity of your emergency. If you’re in immediate pain, we’ll take the necessary steps to help you find relief.
- Review Findings: Upon completing our examination, we’ll let you know what we found. Then we’ll review your options for treatment. When suggesting a specific service, we will provide you with an estimated cost and timeline.
- Get Your Smile the Care It Deserves: After a treatment plan has been agreed upon, we can move forward with the process of restoring your oral health. No matter what kind of treatment you need, rest assured that we will put your comfort and your unique needs first.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies can come in many different forms, but as long as you call our office first, we can quickly help you figure out the best way to resolve the issue and protect the health of your smile. Below are some of the most common dental emergencies that our team can help you and your loved ones with.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
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 the necessary care without breaking the bank.
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 treatment is offered as a solution for infected teeth.
- Dental crowns are used to repair and protect teeth that have become injured or decayed.
- A tooth extraction might be required if the tooth in question is too badly damaged for a crown or has already decayed past the point where root canal treatment 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 prevented, good oral hygiene and routine dental appointments can help you avoid the long-term damage that can be inflicted 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, so 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 having said tooth extracted and replaced.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance primarily focuses on preventive care, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any money set aside for emergencies. Many plans will cover at least one emergency exam per year, and you’ll generally receive 50% to 80% coverage for restorative services. However, you do need to be aware of the maximum amount that your plan is willing to pay for dental care each year. Also, you’ll have to meet your plan’s deductible before your insurance company is willing to pay for any sort of treatment.
Other Options for Affordable Emergency Care
When a treatment isn’t fully covered by dental insurance, you can apply for financing to pay the cost of your care in a series of smaller, easier-to-manage monthly payments. Our practice also has a dental savings plan 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.
Keys to 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 the 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.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
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 at home, in your 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.
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