Emergency Dentistry

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

 

We don’t recommend that you come in for dental checkups every six months just because we like to see you! These regular visits give us the best chances of spotting and stopping oral health issues before they have a chance to get worse. That cavity or small chip we fix now could save you the time, money, and hassle of dealing with an infected or broken tooth that requires emergency care later! Plus, dental checkups are designed to help prevent issues in the first place. With specialized treatments like fluoride applications and thorough cleanings, we can help keep your smile looking and feeling its best.

Brush and Floss Regularly

 

Did you know that according to recent studies, the vast majority of tooth pain that requires emergency care is caused by preventable tooth decay? Between your dental checkups, one of the most important ways you can keep your smile healthy and pain-free is to practice great oral hygiene. Make sure to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day and floss in between them at least once every day. This will regularly clean away the plaque, bacteria, and other particles that could potentially hurt your teeth and gums.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

 

Overindulging in the wrong foods could quickly leave you with a hurting or broken tooth! You already know that too many sugary sweets can lead to cavities and toothaches, but don’t forget the dangers of hard and sticky foods! These snacks can crack your teeth or dislodge your fillings or crowns. Instead, make sure to stick to a nutritious diet filled with calcium, protein, and vitamin C, all of which promote better oral health!

Wear a Mouthguard

 

If you play sports, you need to wear a sports mouthguard. Just like a helmet or kneepads, this important piece of safety equipment is a must if you want to protect yourself from serious damage while on the court or field.

Similarly, if you grind your teeth at night, you should be wearing a nightguard. This condition is called bruxism, and it can weaken your enamel over time and leave it prone to damage and decay. We’ll look for signs of bruxism during your dental checkups and can help you protect your smile with a custom-made mouthguard.

Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging

 

Your teeth are with you all the time, which may make it tempting to use them as tools. If you’re in a rush, excited, or feeling lazy, you may think of using your teeth to open whatever you’re trying to get into, such as a package, bag, or bottle. Or, you may use your teeth to chew on your nails, crack nuts, or hold an extra grocery bag. Using your teeth as tools like this can quickly leave you with a chipped, broken, or fractured tooth! It’s simply not worth the risk to your smile, so make sure to always use the right tools for the job instead of your teeth.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

There is a popular misconception that going to the dentist is pricey, which is not necessarily the case. While the initial exam is relatively inexpensive, the final price depends largely on the treatment you need to restore the look and aesthetic of your smile. With that in mind, here are a few of the most common procedures our emergency dentist in Tyler uses when treating dental injuries.

• Root canal therapy
• Extractions
• Dental crowns
• TMJ treatment
• And more!

Don’t worry – every step of the way we will share our treatment recommendations, answer any questions you have, and provide you with estimated costs. That way, there are no surprises along the way.

How Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

In an ideal world, avoiding dental emergencies of all kinds would be possible. While that’s not the case, there are certain steps you can take to significantly reduce your likelihood of experiencing one. That starts with a solid at-home oral hygiene routine and bi-yearly dental checkups and cleanings with your dentist. In fact, the Journal of Dental Medicine shared that every dollar invested in preventive care can save you up to $50 on restorative and cosmetic treatments in the long run!

The next step is not to neglect abnormal symptoms, like tooth sensitivity and discomfort while chewing. Pushing off treatment leaves the root of the problem untreated, wreaking havoc on your oral health in the process. Remember: intervening in the early stages could mean the difference between a simple filling and a root canal!

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Although dental plans vary from patient to patient, the majority of providers include some form of coverage in emergency situations. For some, this includes partial coverage of restorative treatments, like dental crowns or root canal therapy. For others, it’s a yearly emergency exam that is covered in full. Since your available benefits will also depend on factors like annual maximums, our team will do our part by handling the paperwork, filing the claims, and maximizing your coverage to the fullest.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you are currently uninsured, it is important to know that there are other ways to make your treatment affordable.

• Our in-house membership plan – Enjoy many of the same benefits of traditional dental insurance, like one annual emergency care visit with X-rays, without the annoying red tape.
• Flexible financing – With CareCredit, you can break up the cost of even the most extensive treatment plans into manageable, low-to-no interest payments.
• Special offers – We’re happy to offer an emergency exam special starting at just $115.

Handling a dental emergency is anxiety-inducing enough, which is why we don’t want you to have to worry about the financial component of your treatment as well. That’s why we will help you navigate the cost every step of the way. Get in touch with our team today to learn more about how we help make your dental care affordable!