Emergency Dentistry – Jonesboro, AR

How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies

It can be tough to think clearly when faced with a dental emergency, so here’s a simple way to handle one: always call our dental office. Even if you’re unsure whether or not your situation is urgent, it’s better to be safe than sorry. On the phone, we’ll walk you through what to do and will let you know if you need to come see us right away. In the meantime, here are a few tips on how to handle some of the most common issues we encounter:

Toothaches

Clean around the tooth to remove any debris that might be stuck, and if the pain persists, go ahead and take some OTC medication like ibuprofen. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress to the face in 10-minute increments.

Chipped/Broken Teeth

Use gauze and light pressure to control any bleeding and cover the remaining tooth with some dental wax if it has a rough edge that could injure the lips. Try to gather any pieces of the tooth that you can find, put them in a safe container, and bring them to our dental office.

Knocked-Out Tooth

You need to make it to our dental office within an hour or two of the tooth becoming dislodged in order to give us the best chance of replanting it. After rinsing the mouth, either place it back in the socket or under the tongue. If this isn’t possible, store it in a container with milk or saltwater.

Lost Filling/Crown

If you still have the restoration, try to put it back onto the tooth, securing it with a small dab of toothpaste if necessary. This is just a temporary fix, and you’ll still need to come see us for a full repair to prevent the tooth from developing any pain or an infection.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

• Always wear a mouthguard when playing sports.
• Be careful when chewing very hard, sticky, or chewy foods.
• Never bite down on non-food items like ice, pens, pencils, fingernails, etc.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packages, bottles, or remove clothing tags.
• Visit us at the earliest sign of a dental issue—this allows us to intervene before a small problem can turn into a big one!

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Patients often think treating a dental emergency is painful for two reasons: pain from the injury, and pain from the bill. With us, you won’t need to worry about coming to see our emergency dentist in Jonesboro and then getting a huge bill afterward. During your visit, we will go over your treatment options and pricing information clearly. In the meantime, you can learn more about the factors that will influence the cost below.

Don’t Forget: Every Dental Emergency is Different

Dental injuries can stem from a minor toothache to a completely knocked-out tooth. So, you can see why there isn’t a flat fee associated with dental emergencies. The final price of your treatment will be based on the type and degree of your injury, as well as which procedures are needed to address it. As always, our team will go the extra mile to review your treatment options and all of the associated fees, so you can make the right call for you.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

While dental plans can vary, they typically include some form of coverage, from annual emergency exams to 50%-80% off restorative treatments. So, if you’re insured, don’t hesitate to ask about utilizing any available benefits! Our knowledgeable team will make the entire process as seamless as possible. Once we’ve handled the paperwork, we will explain your benefits and the remaining out-of-pocket costs (if necessary) to ensure understanding the cost is easy.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you’re uninsured, don’t assume that the cost of emergency dentistry in Jonesboro is too expensive. We’re proud to work with CareCredit, a third-party financier. As a result, you can pick a payment plan that works best with your budget. The best part? There is little-to-no interest attached for qualified patients! Applying is easy, too. If this sounds like an option worth exploring, get in touch with our team!

How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

When discussing the cost of treating dental emergencies, it’s worth mentioning the importance of preventive care. In short, implementing good oral hygiene best practices will significantly reduce your chances of having to suddenly visit our emergency dentist in Jonesboro. With this in mind, make sure to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day and floss daily. You should also avoid unhealthy practices, like smoking, chewing on ice, and using your teeth as tools to open things. And, of course, prioritize your six-month dental checkups and cleanings. These visits will catch concerns, like tooth decay, before they turn into painful dental emergencies.

Root Canal Therapy

If bacteria is able to reach the inner chamber of a tooth, it can infect the dental pulp, which contains multiple blood vessels as well as a sensitive nerve. As you can imagine, this can cause quite the toothache! Thankfully, Dr. Smith can stop the pain and save the tooth with root canal therapy. This involves numbing a patient and then removing the damaged tissue before filling the tooth and topping it with a crown so it is as good as new.

Tooth Extractions

We will only recommend a tooth extraction after we have exhausted all other restorative options. A tooth typically needs to be removed if most of the enamel has been worn away by decay or trauma has broken the enamel to the point that it cannot be trusted to support a restoration. Before your extraction, we’ll help you put together a plan to replace the tooth so you can regain your complete smile as soon as possible. 

Learn About Wisdom Tooth Extractions