Dental emergencies come at the most unexpected times, making it difficult to prepare for them. As long as you have Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Muskegon's number on-hand, you can trust that we’ll be able to provide you with fast and pain-relieving treatment. Plus, since we have five conveniently located dental offices, no matter where you are in The Mitt, you’ll be able to find us! If you’ve broken or knocked-out a tooth or are suffering from a severe toothache, contact our dental office as soon as possible so we can get you the care you need with comprehensive emergency dentistry in Muskegon, MI.
Common Dental Emergencies
Handling dental emergencies is difficult because they always seem to happen at the most unexpected moments. That’s why it’s a good idea to have our number and address programed into your phone. As soon as an accident occurs, contact our dental office immediately so we can provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance and schedule your appointment for as soon as possible. If you’re in pain or facing an urgent dental problem, we’ll do everything we can to fit you into our schedule the same day you call. Below, we’ve listed some helpful tips to make you feel more comfortable and reduce the chances of sustaining additional oral damage as you’re on your way to our dental office for your appointment.
Toothaches
Toothaches that are persistent and throbbing are often a sign of infected pulp and require root canal therapy. To help ease your pain in the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen and place a cold compress on the outside of your face for 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off.
Chipped/Broken Tooth
If you’re able to locate the piece of your tooth that has broken off, pick it up, store it in a sealable container, and bring it to your appointment. If the damage has created a sharp edge, you can place a piece of orthodontic wax over the area to prevent it from scraping the inside of your cheek or lips.
Knocked-Out Tooth
Time is of the essence, so quickly retrieve your tooth, being sure to only handle it by the biting surface and rinse it off under a cool stream of water. Store it in a sealable container filled with milk or saltwater to keep it viable. To minimize bleeding, you can place a piece of sterile gauze over the area.
Lost Filling/Crown
If you’re able to find your restoration, pick it up, rinse it off, and place it back on your tooth, securing it with a dab of toothpaste or denture adhesive. If you can’t locate it, you can place a cotton ball with a small amount of clove oil on your tooth to soothe any sensitivity. Either way, be sure to get to our dental office as soon as possible so we can replace or repair the filling or crown.
Preventing Dental Emergencies
While you can’t completely avoid experiencing a dental emergency, there are some ways you can reduce your risk. Here are a few helpful tips to stay out of your emergency dentist’s office:
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Brush twice each day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
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Floss at least once every day.
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Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash daily.
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Maintain a nutritious and healthy diet.
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Wear a mouthguard whenever playing sports or if you grind your teeth.
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Stay hydrated with water instead of sugary sports drinks or pop.
Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are never planned for, but they’re hardly unheard of. It’s important to be prepared to act quickly as soon as something happens to your teeth or gums. Part of said preparation is having an idea of how much your care will cost and what you can do to make it more affordable. All of our emergency services at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Muskegon are set at affordable rates, and we’ll go over your financial options with you so that you can pay for the care you need without losing control of your budget. Call us as soon as possible when you need an emergency consultation.
Learn More About the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Muskegon for Dental Emergencies?
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5 Conveniently Located Dental Opposites
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Several Dental Experts at a Single Practice
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Most PPO Dental Insurance Plans Accepted
What Factors Influence the Cost?
First of all, it’s important to remember that you should never worry more about the cost than your oral health. Delaying dental care will only make existing problems worse and will likely lead to more complex (and costly) treatments in the future. Never let financial fears stop you from calling our office when you urgently need care.
As for the actual cost of your visit, that is something that will vary depending on your situation. The following factors can all influence the price:
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Type of Treatment: Some dental emergencies can be resolved with a filling or another simple treatment. In other cases, you might have to get a root canal or have the tooth extracted altogether. The type of treatment you need will directly impact the cost of your care. As such, we can only start forming a reliable estimate of the cost of emergency care once we’ve had a chance to examine your smile.
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Location: Dentists set the rates of their services based on a few different factors, and that includes the cost of living. You’ll likely be charged more for services at a practice where the cost of living is higher.
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Dental Insurance: Each dental plan offers different benefits. Most plans set aside money to cover up to 2 emergency visits each year, which helps reduce the amount you’ll have to pay yourself.
What Financial Options are Available?
Once a custom estimate has been made, one of our team members will go over the requisite fees with you and discuss your financial options. Our practice takes most PPO dental insurance plans (including Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield), and we are in-network with many of the major providers. We file claims for in-network and out-of-network patients alike, and we always look for ways to help you maximize your benefits. Those who don’t have insurance can sign up for our dental savings plan, which lets you enjoy discounts on various services throughout the year. You can also apply for dental financing, which lets you break up the cost of care into more easily manageable monthly payments with little to no interest.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Do you know what to do if you or a loved one suddenly encounter a dental emergency? If you’re like most people, you probably have a few questions. Rather than spending valuable time panicking, call our office right away and we can provide you with guidance over the phone. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to some of the dental emergency questions that we get asked the most frequently.
Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
Very few emergency rooms have a dentist on staff, so they are ill-equipped to handle specific dental problems. At most, they might prescribe painkillers or antibiotics and refer you to a dentist’s office. Instead of wasting time and money, give us a call when the emergency occurs.
You should only visit the ER for a dental emergency if you’re experiencing a severe or life-threatening issue, such as broken facial bones or uncontrollable bleeding. After you get your immediate problem treated, schedule a follow-up appointment with us.
If you’re ever unsure whether you should visit us or the ER, call us and describe your situation. We can advise you on what your next steps should be.
What Should I Do If My Face Starts to Swell?
Remember that if your facial swelling starts to prevent you from swallowing or breathing, head to the nearest ER as soon as possible for immediate medical attention. For minor swelling, you can wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it to your face for 10 minutes. Then, remove it for the next 10 minutes. Repeat this process for up to one hour. This can reduce any pain you may be experiencing in addition to your swelling.
My Toothache Went Away on Its Own. Should I Still Come In?
Just because your toothache went away doesn’t mean your emergency is gone. It’s possible that decay or infection reached the center of the tooth and damaged its nerve, interfering with your ability to register pain. Because tooth infections don’t often clear up on their own, you should schedule an appointment with us even if your pain subsides. It’s better to let us take a look than run the risk of your infection worsening and spreading.
How Long Can I Wait to See an Emergency Dentist?
It depends. Some dental emergencies, like a fully or partially dislodged tooth, must be treated as soon as humanly possible. If you can get to our office within an hour or two after the incident, there is a chance that we can splint the tooth back into place, but the odds of success decrease quickly after that point. Other types of dental emergencies, such as a lost crown or a dull toothache, aren’t as urgent. In those situations, you may be able to safely wait for a day or two before calling your emergency dentist in Muskegon.
