Emergency Dentistry – Altamonte Springs, FL

What to Do in a Dental 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. Here’s what to do if you need urgent dental care:

• Give us a call right away: Call our team as soon as you can. We’ll assess your situation over the phone and schedule a same-day emergency appointment if necessary. We’ll also give you personalized first-aid advice to use until you can reach our dental office.
• Get an emergency exam: As soon as you arrive, you’ll meet with one of our talented dentists for an emergency evaluation. They’ll focus on getting you out of pain and evaluating your emergency, which could include taking X-rays.
• Make a treatment plan: Your Altamonte Springs emergency dentist will review their findings with you and fully explain the details, length, and cost of all your treatment options.
• Get the fast, effective care you need: Once you and your dentist have agreed on a treatment plan, we’ll get to work implementing it right away.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

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. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common dental emergencies that warrant a call to our dental office right away.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

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

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Every Dental Emergency is Different

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, or 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 the estimated costs so that you know what you’re agreeing to.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

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. We’ll be happy to review your dental insurance policy details with you and ensure that your benefits are being maximized.

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.

Save Money By Taking Care of Your Smile Now

Dental emergencies are not 100% avoidable. 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.

If 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.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies can be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and painful, which is why proper prevention is crucial. Although some things are simply out of your control, there are a few best practices you can follow to significantly reduce your risk of sustaining a tooth-related injury. With this in mind, here are several things you can do to prevent dental emergencies in Altamonte Springs!

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Visit Your Dentist Regularly

All too often, patients view their six-month checkups and cleanings as optional. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, these bi-yearly visits are essential for a number of reasons, like removing built-up plaque, catching dental problems (like a cracked tooth), and screening for oral cancer – all of which can prevent you from a last-minute trip to your emergency dental office in Altamonte Springs down the line.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash are all staples of good oral care that should be a part of your morning and nighttime routine. Neglecting to follow a solid dental hygiene regimen allows food particles, plaque, and other debris to wreak havoc on your smile, leaving you vulnerable to dental emergencies like cavities or a loose restoration.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

It’s no secret that sugar is an ingredient your tastebuds love and your teeth hate. When it interacts with the bacteria in your mouth, it turns into enamel-eroding acid that weakens your teeth. That’s why it’s best to limit your consumption of soda, candy, and other foods and drinks that are high in sugar. Instead, follow a balanced diet that is filled with nutrient-dense, vitamin-rich foods, like cooked veggies and fresh fruits.

Wear a Mouthguard

Sports are a great way to get some exercise, be a part of a community, and learn how to work well with others. Unfortunately, all it takes is one rogue ball or one accidental blow to your jaw for you to windup with a serious dental injury. To prevent that from happening, make sure to wear a mouthguard, even if you participate in a non-contact sport.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Excited to open a package? Need to rip into a bag? Out of sheer convenience, you may use your teeth. However, this can introduce countless bacteria to your mouth and lead to worn-down, chipped, or even cracked teeth. So, take a few extra minutes to locate the scissors – your teeth will thank you for it!

Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions

Dental emergencies can be shocking, which is why many people are curious about what happens when one occurs. At Distinctive Dentistry, we want all 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.

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When Should I Visit the ER Instead of the Dentist?

If a dental emergency does occur, you’re probably wondering where you should go: the emergency room or our dental 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 dental 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.

How Long Can I Put Off Getting Emergency Care?

An emergency should be treated like one, which is why we recommend that you call our dental 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.