Emergency Dentist – Altamonte Springs, FL
We’ll Stop Your Pain and Save Your Smile
A dental emergency can occur at any time and often without any warning. Although you never expect one to happen to you, they pop up more often than you might think. Whether your teeth have been damaged in an accident or you have developed severe dental pain, you need an emergency dentist in Altamonte Springs right away. Our dentists have handled thousands of dental emergencies over the years. We will do everything we can to see you as quickly as possible to stop your pain and save your smile.
How To Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Often, dental emergencies strike suddenly and without any warning, such as the result of an auto accident or a fall. Other times, they are the result of an issue that has been brewing inside the mouth, like a toothache in Altamonte Springs that is caused by an untreated cavity. No matter the reason, you need to see a dentist immediately.
It is tempting to wait to see if your pain subsides, but this could cost you your tooth. With time of the utmost importance, it is best to contact our office right away and provide first-aid to the specific issue you are facing. While you wait to get in to see us, there are some helpful tips you can use at home to safeguard your smile.
Something Stuck Between Your Teeth
If your dental emergency in Altamonte Springs consists of pain radiating from in-between your teeth, it may be that you have something lodged that is causing the pain. Using dental floss, you can easily remove the object. However, if you discover there is nothing between your teeth that is causing the discomfort, you will need to get to see us as soon as possible. Whether it is an untreated cavity or a more serious infection, we will need to examine the problem area and recommend appropriate treatment to save your tooth.
Partially Dislodged Tooth
Anytime a permanent tooth detaches fully or partially from its socket, time is of the essence. It takes very little time for the cells around the bone to become dry and die, making it virtually impossible to save the tooth. Should this happen to you, call our office right away. Rinse your mouth gently to flush out any debris and avoid chewing on that side of your mouth. If necessary, take an over-the-counter pain reliever and use a cold compress to reduce swelling and mitigate any pain.
Infection
An abscessed tooth is never something to take lightly. If an infection reaches the root of your tooth, it can quickly become even more serious, potentially impacting your overall health if it enters your bloodstream. If you are dealing with an infected tooth, make sure to rinse with warm salt water multiple times a day to clean the area and reduce harmful bacteria. Also, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, use a cold compress, and do not wait to seek professional treatment. Our team will carefully assess the situation and likely recommend tooth extraction to save your smile.
Gum/Soft Tissue Injury
Although they do not feel good, soft tissue injuries are less likely to be severe. Yes, scratching your gums, busting a lip, or biting down too hard on your tongue are unpleasant experiences, but in most cases, the bleeding stops within 15-20 minutes, and the tissue begins to heal quite quickly. However, it’s always best to schedule an appointment with us to ensure there is no lasting damage or other areas of your mouth are not negatively impacted. While at home, simply use a clean washcloth to stop the bleeding, and reach for a cold compress to reduce any swelling and mitigate discomfort. If the bleeding and swelling do not stop, there may be a more serious problem, and you will need to get to the local emergency room for immediate medical attention.
Jaw Pain
A fractured or broken jaw should always be treated at your local emergency room. These are serious situations that can have lasting impacts, so a qualified physician should see you immediately. However, if the jaw pain you’re experiencing is due to temporomandibular joint disorder or teeth grinding (bruxism), visiting an emergency dental office in Altamonte Springs is just fine. While at home waiting to see a member of our team, try to avoid using your jaw too much and take an over-the-counter pain reliever to ease any discomfort.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Although you cannot fully prevent dental emergencies, there are several things you can do to decrease the likeliness for one occurring, such as:
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss every night.
- Visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup.
- Do not use your teeth as tools.
- Do not bite overly hard foods or inedible objects.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
Understanding the Cost of a Dental Emergency
You’ll likely be too busy to deal with the pain of your dental emergency to think about how much the treatment is going to cost you, but sooner or later you’ll have to consider your financial situation. There’s no set amount that you can expect to pay, but we can go over the different factors with you and help you find ways to make your care as affordable as possible.
Every Dental Emergency is Unique
Typically, the emergency appointment itself will be rather inexpensive. We’ll thoroughly examine your mouth, figure out the underlying cause of your emergency, and determine the kind of treatment you require to stop your pain and save your teeth. The overall cost won’t become clear until we’ve come up with a treatment plan, which might include root canal therapy, extractions, dental crowns, TMJ treatment, and other services. No matter what kind of care you need, however, rest assured that we will explain your situation as thoroughly as possible and outline all of the estimated costs so that you know what you’re agreeing to.
Saving Money by Taking Care of Your Smile Now
You can’t completely avoid dental emergencies. At some point, you may fall or get hit in the mouth, breaking some of your teeth in the process. However, most emergencies are a direct result of poor oral hygiene and leaving dental damage unchecked. Brushing and flossing regularly could stop small dental issues from ever forming at all. Attending regular checkups and cleanings could let you catch small dental issues long before they turn into big ones.
Once your tooth is already broken or in pain, you’ll need to have it treated as soon as possible. You might be worried about the costs at first, but waiting too long could make the problem worse. A dental infection, right away, is typically treatable with root canal therapy, but if it’s allowed to spread for too long, there won’t be enough dental structure worth salvaging. Acting immediately could make all the difference for your smile and your bank account
Will Dental Insurance Cover a Dental Emergency?
While dental insurance is primarily designed to help pay for preventive care, it does offer some level of coverage for emergencies. Restorative services used to soothe oral pain and replace teeth will usually receive anywhere between 50% to 80% coverage (with most plans paying less for more complex treatments). Your yearly maximum might affect how much your plan will play for a given treatment though, so be sure to confirm the details of your coverage ahead of time.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Insurance is not the only way to pay for a dental emergency. We have other options for patients in unique financial situations. For example, CareCredit financing can help anyone who does not have insurance or needs care not covered by their plan. By simply breaking up the cost into smaller monthly payments, it will be much easier to fit your care into your normal budget.
Emergency Dentistry FAQ’s
Dental emergencies can be shocking, which is why many people are curious about what happens when one occurs. At Distinctive Dentistry, we want all of our patients to have the information they need to enjoy healthy and safe smiles. That’s why we’ve provided the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies. Keep reading to satisfy your curiosity.
What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
You may have heard of the phrase “dental emergency” before, what does it really mean? Sometimes, you may experience pain in a tooth, but is it really an emergency? A dental emergency is any issue that occurs in the mouth that affects your day-to-day life. Whether it’s the way you eat, speak, or smile, any condition causing pain that affects your regular functions is a dental emergency.
When Should I Visit the ER vs. the Dentist?
If a dental emergency does occur, you’re probably wondering where you should go: the emergency room or our office? If you have a problem like a severe cut, uncontrollable bleeding, a jaw fracture, or any problem affecting your breathing, you should head straight for the emergency room for immediate care. However, anything else like chipped, fractured, or lost teeth can be treated at our office. It’s important to note that we can treat infection, however if it’s affecting the way you breathe, you should go to your local urgent care right away.
Should Dental Emergencies be Treated Immediately?
An emergency should be treated like one, which is why we recommend that you call our office if a dental issue strikes. Unlike some medical conditions that may get better with time, dental problems will only get worse if left untreated. That’s why we make a special effort to work our emergency patients into our treatment schedule to provide same-day care, getting patients out of pain as quickly as possible. Call your emergency dentist in Altamonte Springs right away if you notice a problem.
When is a Root Canal Necessary?
Root canal therapy is one of the most common dental emergency services we have to offer. This treatment often gets a bad reputation, but we use it to get patients out of pain rather than put them in it. Many dental emergencies feel sudden, but they are actually caused by poor dental hygiene over time. In these cases, your tooth can become infected, causing a serious toothache. Thankfully, we offer root canal therapy to provide you with comfort in your time of need.
If you have any other questions, please contact our office today to talk with one of our friendly front desk staff members!