How We Treat Dental
Emergencies
There are four basic steps that need to be followed in order to treat a dental emergency. The specifics may vary with the situation, but generally speaking the process looks like this:
Emergency Dentistry – Frisco, TX
Get Out of Dental Pain Fast
One moment your teeth may feel perfectly normal, and the next they could suddenly experience intense pain out of seemingly nowhere. Dental emergencies can occur when you least expect them, and you need to have a dentist you can turn to stop the pain and restore the health of your smile as soon as possible. Call Blue Star Smiles immediately if you have an urgent dental problem that calls for emergency dentistry in Frisco, TX.
Why Choose Blue Star Smiles for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointment Times
- A Patient-Centric Dental Office Culture
- Dentist and Hygienists You Can Trust
How We Treat Dental
Same-Day Appointment: There’s no time to lose when your mouth is suffering from severe pain or injury. If you call us with a dental emergency, we will schedule a same-day appointment whenever possible.
Emergency Examination: We’ll take X-rays of your mouth and examine your teeth carefully so that we can figure out what the actual problem is. We’ll also prioritize relieving your immediate pain.
Review Findings: We’ll explain what we found and what treatments are suitable for this specific situation. The estimated price and length of each treatment will be provided before you commit to a plan.
Get the Care You Need: Emergency care could involve fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, or any number of other treatments. We’ll work to address your problems as quickly as possible to protect your oral health.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Some dental emergencies are obvious, such as a broken or knocked-out tooth; other issues, such as sensitive teeth, can make it a bit harder to tell whether you’re dealing with a true emergency or not. In general, we encourage you to call our dental office immediately if you experience any of the following problems. If you explain your situation, we can help you determine whether an emergency visit is needed.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Once you realize that you’ll need emergency dental care, you’ll naturally start worrying about the financial side of things. How much will your treatment cost? Will it fit into your budget? Can you count on your insurance to help pay for it? Our team will keep you fully informed about your financial options and how much you can eventually expect to pay. Below are the basics of what you need to know about the costs of emergency care.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
The initial emergency visit will be relatively inexpensive, as it is mainly focused on figuring out what the problem is and determining the treatments needed to restore your oral health. As for the cost of your actual treatment, we won’t know until we’ve examined your mouth and figured out what the problem is. The treatment could include root canal therapy, tooth extractions (and replacing the tooth with dental implants later), dental crowns, TMJ therapy, and more. We’ll only recommend treatments that we believe you need to protect your oral health, and we’ll explain the costs involved before asking you to make a decision.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In general, you can expect your dental insurance to help pay for emergency care. Most plans cover one emergency examination per year and provide partial coverage for root canal therapy, extractions, and other common services that are normally performed in urgent care situations. The coverage is typically anywhere from 50% to 80%, depending on the treatment in question and the specifics of your plan. You should speak with your insurance company to confirm your current benefits before you commit to your treatment.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Patients who do not have dental insurance may want to consider using third-party financing to break up the cost of their care. That way they can pay for their treatment in smaller installments instead in one bank-breaking sum. Our practice offers financing through CareCredit, a well-known financing company that offers a number of low-to-no interest payment plans. You’ll be able to pick a plan that fits your current budget so that you can pay at a rate that’s comfortable for you.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Being proactive about taking care of your smile can help you save a lot of money on emergency care. For example, by practicing good oral hygiene and visiting us twice a year for routine dental appointments, you can potentially avoid dental emergencies altogether, meaning you won’t have to pay to treat them in the first place. It also helps to make an appointment as soon as you notice oral pain or dental damage, even if you’re concerned about the costs of care. Waiting too long will only make the issue worse, and you’ll need much more costly care as a result; getting the care you need while the problem is still small can save you time, money, and trouble.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are unsettling and can happen when you least expect them to. It’s always easier to prevent them from occurring than deal with one when it pops up. Luckily, there are many precautions you can take to drastically lower your risk of dental disaster. Incorporating healthy habits into your everyday life can protect your teeth and gums from harm. Below, you’ll find practical guidelines to help you avoid a visit to your emergency dentist in Frisco.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Everyone should visit their dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These routine appointments allow us to spot and treat dental problems before they turn into painful complications. Additionally, our team will thoroughly clean your teeth by removing plaque and tartar buildup, helping you avoid unwanted problems down the line.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Keeping your mouth as clean as possible will prevent bacteria buildup and lower your risk of cavities, gum disease, and infection. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing every day with an ADA-approved mouthwash are essential practices for a healthy smile.
Be Careful with Your Diet
Believe it or not, your diet has a significant impact on oral health. Overindulging in sugary, acidic, and starchy foods can be detrimental to your pearly whites. When oral bacteria interact with sugar, they produce an acid that wears down your enamel, leading to cavities and decay. That’s why it’s best to eat a nutrient-rich diet full of foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products.
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you regularly play sports? Ask our team about a custom athletic mouthguard! It’ll protect your mouth from any impact should you sustain a blow to the face. If you grind your teeth at night, you should wear an oral device known as a nightguard. The appliance will prevent your bottom and top teeth from touching one another and damaging your enamel.
Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging
When you can’t tear open a package or crack open a bottle, you may be tempted to use your teeth as a last-ditch effort. However, using your pearly whites for anything other than chewing foods can easily cost you a trip to your emergency dentist in Frisco. That’s why it’s always best to wait until you have the right tool or ask someone to lend you a helping hand!
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
If you need an emergency dentist in Frisco, don’t panic! We understand you probably have several concerns about the road ahead, but we are here to make a stressful situation easier. After addressing any pain, your dentist will explain everything to calm your nerves. While you wait for your appointment, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Will my toothache go away on its own?
It is unlikely your toothache will go away on its own. Contrary to common belief, an occasional toothache isn’t normal. It is often a sign of a serious oral health issue, like a cavity or an infection. Discomfort originating from the gum tissue may subside, tooth pain is unlikely to stop without any treatment. Your emergency dentist will examine your mouth to find the source of your discomfort to prevent it from recurring.
How should I sleep with dental pain?
It can be difficult to focus on anything else but a relentless toothache. You can avoid tossing and turning all night by sleeping with your pillow elevated. This will stop blood from pooling in your head to prevent throbbing discomfort. It is best to skip any hot, cold, or acidic foods and drinks before going to bed. Take an OTC pain reliever to manage your discomfort throughout the night. Applying a cold compress to the outside of your face can numb the area temporarily, so you can get the rest you need.
Do I still need to see a dentist if a chipped tooth doesn’t hurt?
Not all chipped teeth hurt, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to see a dentist. Your enamel is the defense system for your teeth. Even minor chips can leave your teeth vulnerable to decay and additional damage. Despite not having any pain, don’t wait too long to see a dentist, or a small issue can turn into a big problem that can be costly to repair.
Will a chipped tooth heal on its own?
Although your enamel is the hardest substance in your body, it isn’t capable of regenerating. While it may remineralize, it will not grow back. No matter how insignificant, it is important to see a dentist right away for chips or breaks. Minor chips can be repaired using dental bonding or a veneer, while more severe damage may require a crown or other restorative procedure to treat.
Can I use super glue to fix a broken denture?
You rely on your dentures, so any damage is a dental emergency in Frisco. While you may not have time for an unplanned trip to your dentist, don’t turn to home remedies to fix your denture, like super glue. Although it’s handy to have around the house, it can contain toxic chemicals and cause allergic reactions. Not to mention, it doesn’t hold up well in moist environments. Instead, wear an old denture if possible and leave the mending for the professionals. They’ll repair or replace your denture to restore a beautiful, functional smile.