How Much Does an Emergency Dentist Cost?
Sharp and sudden pains, broken teeth, cut lips and bleeding gums. All these situations can characterize a dental emergency. But what to do when you feel a symptom and need emergency care?
What is the difference between emergency and dental urgency?
The main difference between emergency and urgency is that the first poses an immediate threat to a patient’s well-being and health, while the second is a threat in the near future, such as a wisdom tooth extraction — it could be become an emergency if left untreated.
That said, any situation of pain, discomfort and suffering in the oral cavity is considered a dental emergency. It includes pain in the teeth, gums, cheeks, bones in the region and tongue, that is, everything that requires immediate treatment. Generally, the patient needs quick care to relieve discomfort or minimize damage to the structures of the mouth. The cost of urgent or emergency dental care can vary widely, and can be expensive, as you are paying for convenience and emergency care. Everything will depend on your current case and whether you have dental insurance. If you do not have dental insurance, some health insurances will cover dental emergencies. Check with your provider to see if you have dental coverage. If you do not, you can speak with your emergency dentist to see if they offer credit or payment plans that will help you pay for your emergency care.
Among the most common emergencies, we can highlight:
* tooth fractures;
* loose teeth or tooth loss with violence – in accidents, for example;
* jaw fractures;
* severe, sudden-onset toothache;
* trauma to the lips, tongue and/or cheeks;
* gum pain;
* crown displacement;
* objects/food stuck in the teeth;
* dental abscesses;
* trauma in the mouth region in general.
If you are going through any of the situations described above, it is necessary to seek the assistance of a professional on an emergency basis.
What to do in case of a dental emergency? How to act in an emergency? Who to call? Are there actions that should be taken before heading to a care clinic? We list below some important tips that can be used before going to the emergency dentist.
Objects stuck in teeth
If you have any food or small objects stuck in your teeth, you can try to gently remove them with dental floss. If you are unable to remove it, do not put sharp or cutting objects in your mouth, as they are very dangerous and can cause greater damage to your oral health.
Fractures and tooth decay
Rinse the tooth and mouth with lukewarm water, gently, but do not rub the tooth root region. Afterwards, seek emergency care as soon as possible. Problems such as fractures and trauma may require the need for root canal treatment, but this will depend on each case, so dental evaluation is essential.
Accidental loss of permanent tooth
In case of accidental fall, the tip is: try to fit the tooth back in the place it occupied in the gum and seek assistance immediately. In addition to these tips, professionals recommend in the event of a dental emergency that the patient:
* do not make any compresses, hot or cold, directly on the gums or teeth;
* in case of bleeding, apply pressure to the source of bleeding with a clean cloth;
* make cold compresses in the external region of the mouth (face) to reduce swelling;
* do not apply ointments or take any medication before the appointment.
* In an emergency risk situation, you should seek care at a health service that offers dental emergency room.