Emergency Dentist — Covington, GA

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

• Contact us right away. Time is of the essence in any emergency situation, which is why you need to give us a call immediately for assistance. Over the phone, an experienced team member will provide first-aid instructions to help you manage your situation at home.
• Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, Dr. Dean will conduct a detailed oral examination to identify the cause of your problem. Based on his findings, he’ll create a custom treatment plan to get your oral health back on the right track.
• Get the care you need. During your appointment, we may be able to temporarily relieve your pain. However, you might have to return for additional services like fillings, dental crowns, gum disease treatment, or extraction.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Regardless of the type of dental emergency you’re having, you should give our dental office a call first and foremost. This will give you a chance to schedule an emergency appointment. While we have you on the phone, we’ll explain what you can do right now to make your situation better. Below, you can also find suggestions on what you should do next based on the current dental emergency you may be experiencing.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

While it can be difficult to provide a specific cost for your dental emergency, you shouldn’t put off treatment because of it. Every dental emergency is unique, which means the complexity of your treatment depends on how complicated your dental emergency is. Needing an antibiotic to treat an infection is going to cost less than needing root canal therapy, but you won’t know for sure until you have an exam completed. We’ll always work with you when creating your treatment plan, no matter the cost that is needed to protect your oral health.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Preventing most dental emergencies begins with routine oral hygiene. This means brushing and flossing daily as well as maintaining routine exams and cleanings at our dental office. You should also avoid chewing very hard foods or inedible objects that can damage teeth permanently. Never use your teeth as a tool and always make sure to wear a mouthguard if you play contact sports. You should also wear a nightguard if you suffer from chronic teeth grinding and clenching.

Dental Emergency FAQs 

When a dental emergency appears, call us! We’ll give you personalized first-aid advice over the phone while we schedule your emergency appointment. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we receive about urgent dental care to help you be as prepared as possible for these scary situations.

Should I Go to The Emergency Room for Dental Pain?

In almost any dental emergency, you’ll save time, money, hassle, and discomfort by visiting your Covington emergency dentist before heading to the local ER. Whereas an emergency room may only be able to help you manage your pain, we have the tools and training to treat the source of your problem.

However, there are a few situations that should be stabilized at your local ER. If your jaw is broken or dislocated, if you are experiencing bleeding that hasn’t stopped in 10 minutes, or if you have swelling that is making it difficult to breathe or swallow, you should go directly to the emergency room. Once your situation has been handled there, we’ll be more than happy to fix up your pearly whites.

Are Emergency Dental Visits Covered by Dental Insurance?

Every dental insurance policy is different. To see if yours offers full or partial coverage of emergency visits, feel free to give us a call. Our talented team has years of experience identifying and explaining key details of dental insurance policies. We’ll be happy to file your claims for you and maximize your benefits.

What If I’m Not Sure If I Have a Dental Emergency Or Not?

Not every dental emergency is easy to identify. To determine if you need urgent dental care or not, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I in severe pain or bleeding from the mouth? Serious pain and bleeding are tell-tale signs that you should call your Covington emergency dentist right away.
• Are my teeth loose? Permanent teeth should never be loose. Even if your loose tooth isn’t painful, it may be in danger of being lost.
• Has my tooth been seriously damaged? Fractured or broken teeth need to be treated right away to alleviate pain and prevent further damage.
• Has my tooth been knocked out? You need to see an emergency dentist within 30-60 minutes for the best chances of successful reattachment.
• Do I have an infection? Dental infections or abscesses can become life-threatening in some cases. See your dentist immediately if you have a small bump on your gums, pus or discharge between your teeth, swelling in the neck or jaw, or other signs of infection such as fever or fatigue.

Remember, you should always call us about new, worrying, or uncomfortable dental symptoms. We can help you determine the urgency of your situation and give you personalized first-aid advice over the phone.

What Should I Do If My Toothache Goes Away on Its Own?

Unlike the rest of your body, your teeth can’t heal themselves. That’s why any and all dental pain should be seen by your Covington dentist in a timely manner, whether it’s gone away or not. You may simply have had something lodged between your teeth or need a filling for a cavity. However, a suddenly numb tooth could also mean that the nerve has been damaged or is infected, in which case it needs to be addressed right away to save it. Call us if your toothache goes away and we’ll help you determine when you need to come in for an appointment.