Emergency Dentistry – Braintree, MA
Ready to Make the Pain Go Away
It’s hard to think clearly in the middle of a dental emergency. Whether it’s your own smile or a loved one’s that is hurting or severely damaged, those valuable moments spent deciding what to do can make all the difference between saving or losing a tooth! Thankfully, high-quality urgent dental care is just a phone call away. Pinnacle Dental is more than ready to help those in Braintree experiencing dental emergencies, and unlike your local ER, we won’t make you wait to get the attention you need. Just give us a call so that we’re able to see you right away.
Why Choose Pinnacle Dental for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments Available
- Dentist with Over 20 Years of Experience
- Award-Winning Care Since 1988
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Call our office: The very first thing you should do when you find yourself experiencing a dental emergency is call our office! Once you’ve explained your situation, we’ll be able to give you personalized guidance on how to handle the situation before we can see you.
- Come in for an emergency exam: Upon your arrival, our team can quickly examine your mouth and determine an appropriate course of action. Your comfort and resolving the issue promptly is our priority!
- Get the care you need: After we’ve reviewed our findings with you, we’ll work diligently to address the issue and get your smile back on track.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
No one can anticipate a dental emergency, and they have a knack for happening whenever it’s least convenient! In fact, it’s estimated that one out of every six Americans will be faced with one each year. If you’re one of those unlucky few, you’ll want to seek treatment promptly, as time is of the essence when it comes to some of these common dental emergencies:
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
When a patient comes to see us, we’ll quickly figure out what is causing the problem, try to provide some measure of pain relief, and then we can discuss how to fix any damage. For patients in need of more extensive care, we’re happy to at least stop any discomfort and then work out a long-term treatment plan. Of course, we will always do our best to make understanding the price easy and straightforward every step of the way as well. If you want to learn more about the factors that impact the cost of emergency dentistry in Braintree, then read on!
Every Dental Emergency is Different
Just like no two smiles are the same, no two dental injuries are the same. While one patient may be struggling with a painful toothache, another may be reeling from a knocked-out tooth! That’s why each appointment with our Braintree emergency dentist starts with a thorough exam. From there, they can determine what your treatment options are, like a filling to address a decayed tooth or a dental implant to replace a missing tooth. The next step will be to craft a personalized treatment plan that will restore the look and function of your smile in as little time as possible.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Oftentimes, yes! Of course, the specific coverage will depend entirely on your benefits. For example, some patients have one free emergency exam included in their plan annually. Others can expect 50% to 80% of their essential restorative care to be covered. We know understanding the fine print on your dental plan can be headache-inducing, which is why we are happy to help with this step of the process as well!
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t automatically assume you can’t afford dental care because you don’t have dental insurance. Our team is proud to work with CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier. They’ve helped numerous patients get the treatment they need within their budget. That’s because they have several payment plans to choose from! Plus, some patients can enjoy little-to-no interest attached, making this financial solution even more affordable.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
When discussing the cost of emergency dentistry, it’s important to note the role that preventive care plays. Although dental injuries aren’t 100% avoidable, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing one by brushing your teeth each morning and evening, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly. You should also get a dental checkup and cleaning every six months and steer clear of unhealthy dental habits, like smoking and nail-biting.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
When a dental emergency arises out of nowhere, it can be scary, stressful, and difficult to manage. Your best bet is to avoid these kinds of situations to the best of your ability. Although no urgent dental situation is 100 percent preventable, there are certain precautions you can take to minimize the chance of one popping up and keeping you from maintaining a healthy and happy smile. While you’re more than welcome to call us in the event that such a situation occurs, below we’ve written out a guide on how to prevent dental emergencies in Braintree.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
In many cases, toothaches severe enough to warrant emergency care are the result of an infection or decay that has reached the center of the tooth, where the nerve lies. Oftentimes, you can prevent a cavity from getting to this point by attending a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. At these visits, one of our dentists will examine your mouth and determine whether there are any early warning signs of decay or infection. From there, we can get you treated before these issues spiral into larger problems. Additionally, our hygienists can remove built-up plaque and tartar that contribute to oral health issues.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home
An easy way to prevent plaque from accumulating on your teeth and gums is by brushing and flossing every day. Ideally, you should brush first thing in the morning and then again right before you go to bed. We also recommend flossing before you head off to sleep. These habits remove leftover food particles from your mouth that, if left behind, could attract bacteria that cause infections.
Watch What You Eat
Every time you eat or drink something sugary, bacteria in your mouth consume those sugars and release an acidic waste product. This acid can damage your enamel, which results in cavities, and also irritate your gums, which is what causes gum disease . To avoid fueling these destructive bacteria, limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks. At the very least, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water after consuming these items.
Wear a Mouthguard
Sports injuries are a common cause of broken or knocked-out teeth. To dramatically reduce your risk of damaging your smile, you can wear a mouthguard during physical activity. A mouthguard is a durable plastic tray worn over the teeth to provide some cushioning in the event of an injury. While you can purchase a mouthguard at the sporting goods store, you’re better off asking us to make you a custom one. They will fit you much better, resulting in greater comfort and added protection.
Use Tools, Not Your Teeth, to Open Packages
When you’re having trouble opening packaging with your hands, it can be tempting to use your teeth instead of having to go get the scissors. However, doing so can seriously chip your teeth, which can be painful and costly to treat. Preserve your smile by reaching for the right tool for the job instead. It can save you from having to drop everything and visit our emergency dental office in Braintree.
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
As much as you’d like to avoid a dental emergency, it can happen when you least expect it. The last thing you want is for one to strike and not be prepared to properly respond. So the more you know in advance, the better off you’ll be. Throughout the years, we’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions about dental emergencies, and we’d like to pass the information along to you. Continue reading as we provide the answers you need.
How do I know I’m having a dental emergency?
No matter what type you have, a dental emergency should never be ignored. Here are some of the typical indicators that you need to give us a call:
- You have an abscessed tooth.
- One of your teeth is loose.
- You’ve noticed painful swelling.
- A tooth has completely dislodged.
- You have a loose or missing crown or filling.
- You’re experiencing intense tooth or gum pain.
- Your gums frequently bleed, and you have a constant sour taste in your mouth.
Should I visit my dentist or the ER for my dental emergency?
In most cases, you should contact us to schedule an emergency visit. However, there are two situations that we believe necessitate a visit to the ER: oral bleeding that lasts for more than 10 minutes and a broken jaw. These are time-sensitive matters that require an even greater sense of urgency.
Will I still be in pain?
One of the reasons that we encourage you to contact us at the first signs of a dental emergency is so you can limit the amount of suffering you have to endure. The sooner we can examine you and address the problem, the less complex the treatment will need to be. No matter what type of issue you’re dealing with, you can expect to get relief from the pain and fully recover.
Will I be able to prevent the same type of emergency from happening in the future?
We don’t just treat problems at our Braintree office. We also educate our patients about how they can prevent similar issues in the future. That’s because we wholeheartedly believe that preventive dental care is the best form of treatment you can receive. Thus, after we restore your oral health, we’ll equip you with the tools and information to protect yourself down the road.
Will my dental insurance cover the cost of emergency dental care?
One main reason for maintaining dental insurance is to know that you’re protected if you find yourself in an unforeseen situation. Thus, it can come in handy when a dental emergency strikes. While all plans differ, you can usually count on having a portion of your emergency dental care covered. To determine the specifics of your benefits package, you’ll need to review your plan. When you visit our office, one of our friendly staff members will gladly help you file your claim so you can focus your attention on fully recovering.
If you find yourself staring down a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re eager to help get your life back on track.
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