Dental emergencies are typically sudden, alarming, and somewhat overwhelming. Whether your child chips a tooth on a family outing or you wake up with a terrible toothache one day, it’s essential that you’re prepared. Even if you’re unsure if your situation is an emergency, don’t wait to call us for urgent dental care. We’ll listen to your situation, give you first-aid instructions, and help you determine what you need to do next. Our experienced dental team is dedicated to treating emergency patients the same day they call, so get in touch with us right away if you are experiencing dental pain.
If your emergency is life-threatening, you should go directly to your local ER. However, for a dental emergency, you will almost always save time and money by visiting your Millersville emergency dentist first. If you find yourself with a damaged, painful, or knocked-out tooth, here’s what you should do:
When a dental emergency occurs, it’s usually for two unique reasons. The first is for a long-term issue that’s causing dental discomfort, such as a bad cavity or an oral infection. The second is oral injuries sustained from a bad fall or sporting injury. The good news is Dr. Tran and her team are able to address both, so there’s no reason to put off your dental emergency if you experience one. Emergencies don’t get better on their own, so don’t wait to seek the care you need. Below you’ll find a list of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Transcendent Smiles.
If you’re like many people, you might be hesitant to call your dentist because you’re concerned about a large bill. Thankfully, at Transcendent Smiles, you don’t have anything to worry about. We’ll work with you to help you get the emergency dental care you need in a way that fits in to your budget. Although every case differs, we offer the affordable solutions you need to save your smile without draining your wallet.
Believe it or not, emergency dental services are relatively inexpensive. During your visit, we’ll assess the problem to create a personalized plan. We’ll take the time to explain the fees associated with your treatment and your payment options. The type of procedure needed will affect the amount you’ll pay. Common treatments needed to resolve dental emergencies include:
We’ll help you understand exactly what you’ll be paying before moving forward with your treatment.
Every dental insurance policy is unique, but many plans have coverage for urgent services, like the consultation with your emergency dentist in Millersville. Depending on your benefits, you may be able to use your insurance to lower the cost of your treatment. After reaching your annual deductible, many plans can pay as much as 80% of the cost until you hit your yearly limit. Our dental office works with many dental insurance providers to reduce the amount you’ll need to pay. We will help you maximize your benefits and explain how they are being used to pay for your care.
Besides using your dental insurance, we also accept a variety of payment methods to cover any out-of-pocket expense. We’ll help you find the solutions you need to keep your care affordable, such as:
If you have any questions about your dental insurance or your payment methods, contact our dental office today to speak with a member of our team.
You can’t always avoid dental issues that require urgent treatment, but there are several things you can do to lessen your risk of one, like visiting your dentist regularly. Besides brushing and flossing at home, the American Dental Association recommends a cleaning and checkup at least twice a year. This allows us to monitor your oral health to detect concerning issues while they are still small to prevent them from turning into a big problem.
If you have a dental issue that needs to be treated, like a cavity or infection, don’t wait to have your procedure. Delaying the treatment will cause it to worsen. Not only will it require a more expensive procedure to treat, but you might also lose your tooth.
While dental emergencies can be unpredictable, they can still be largely preventable when you practice the right steps. Our team at Transcendent Smiles is happy to provide you with the most common ways to avoid urgent situations in the first place. Not only will you keep your smile safe with these tips, but you’ll also save yourself time and money from needing more costly treatments later on. Read along or give us a call if you’d like to learn more on how to prevent dental emergencies in Millersville today!
By scheduling a checkup and cleaning with us every six months, we’ll be able to ensure your smile stays in pristine condition. Dr. Tran will thoroughly examine your oral health and address any developing issues she might detect. These may include weakened enamel, cavities, or gum disease, which can cause future dental emergencies if not treated ahead of time. Our team will be able to provide the necessary procedures to tackle the root cause of an oral health issue, or we can prevent one from starting altogether.
Aside from your routine checkups, you must keep your pearly whites clean and healthy at home. This means you’ll need to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes, preferably with fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. This should be combined with flossing at least once a day, that way you can effectively remove plaque and bacteria from your smile. Try to also rinse regularly with non-alcoholic mouthwash to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong.
Foods that are high in sugar, as well as carbohydrates and starches, can be detrimental to your dental health. Consuming these frequently can put your smile at risk of issues like bacteria buildup and decay. You may also want to avoid sports drinks, energy drinks, and even fruit juices, which are highly acidic and can wear down your enamel significantly. Instead, try sticking with meals that are rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamin C to reduce your chances of cavities and strengthen your pearly whites.
If you tend to grind your teeth or enjoy playing contact sports, then you may want to get some protection for your smile. You can consult Dr. Tran about nightguards for bruxism, which can prevent you from accidentally wearing down your enamel when stressed or in your sleep. You can also ask our team about mouthguards to keep your teeth safe from physical injury, and we’ll be sure to recommend the best products for your specific needs. These options can help prevent the need for additional, costly treatments in the future.
While it can be time-saving to use your teeth to open bottles or packages, you’ll want to avoid this at all times. This habit can increase the risk of damaging your pearly whites and making it likely for a dental emergency to happen. You should always avoid using your teeth as tools to open, cut, hold, or chew anything other than food. Make sure to keep tools handy so that you aren’t tempted to put your smile at risk.
Dental emergencies can happen unexpectedly, so it can be difficult to know exactly what to do if you experience one. Fortunately, we are here to help. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about dental emergencies in Millersville. If you don’t see the information that you’re looking for below, don’t worry. Just give us a call and our team would be happy to answer your questions and schedule you for an urgent appointment.
Toothaches don’t typically go away on their own, so it is best to schedule a checkup with your dentist just to make sure that nothing serious is wrong. There are many potential causes for a toothache, so it’s a good idea to rule them out as soon as possible. Doing this can help you to catch underlying issues before they become more severe and require more complex treatments.
It can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep when you are dealing with a toothache. Until you are able to seek dental attention in the morning, try keeping your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. Additionally take over-the-counter medication as directed. Avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed to improve comfort. Cold compresses have also shown to reduce some of the discomfort.
Unfortunately, most emergency rooms are not able to address dental emergencies effectively. However, there are a few main exceptions to this. You should head to the ER if you have experienced a jaw fracture or dislocation, serious cut or laceration to the face, or an abscess or infection that is swollen to the point where it is affecting your ability to breathe or swallow. In nearly all other circumstances, you should seek care from an emergency dentist instead.
If your tooth feels sore or is throbbing, it’s likely because of an infection. Other signs of infection include a bitter taste, red or swollen gums, bad breath, tooth sensitivity, or a sore on the gums. However, the only way to learn for sure whether or not you have a dental infection is by seeing a dentist. They can capture X-rays and provide a detailed diagnosis.
Preventive Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Implants TMJ/TMD Therapy Periodontal Therapy View Our Services