Emergency Dentist – Jacksonville, FL
Putting a Quick Stop to Dental Pain
No one ever plans on having to deal with a dental emergency. Sadly, tooth broken enamel, persistent toothaches, and other urgent dental problems are more common than many people realize. It’s always good to have a dentist you can trust to see you as soon as possible if you ever have a dental emergency. Keep our dental practice’s number close at hand so that you can contact us and schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Jacksonville as soon as you realize you need urgent dental care.
Why Choose Altenbach Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- Comprehensive Dental Services Under One Roof
- Technology-Forward Dental Practice
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Same-Day Appointment: We strive to see our patients on the same day that they call our office whenever they have a dental emergency. When you call, we’ll ask about your symptoms and give tips for managing them at home.
- Comprehensive Emergency Exam: A detailed exam will be performed to figure out what the source of the dental emergency is. We may take X-rays depending on the circumstances.
- Review Findings: We’ll go over our findings with you and suggest a treatment plan that includes an estimate of the costs and the expected timeline.
- Get the Care You Need: Once you’ve decided on a treatment, our team will get to work relieving your pain and reversing the damage done to your smile.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies need to be dealt with by a professional as quickly as possible. As soon as you recognize any symptoms that you think might point toward an emergency, you should reach out to our office. Listed below are some of the most common dental emergencies that we treat regularly.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Simply put, there isn’t a flat fee for dental emergencies. In fact, even the cost of the exam can vary depending on factors like if your dental insurance covers it. Rest assured, we’ll take the time to make sure you fully understand your situation and why we’re recommending a specific kind of treatment before you commit to paying for anything. We’re also ready to help you explore your options for more affordable dental care. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic of price.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
The reason that the cost of emergency dentistry isn’t the same from patient to patient is because there are several factors to consider. For example, the more complex a dental emergency is, the higher the cost is likely to be. To be more specific, a toothache can be treated with a simple filling if the root of the problem is minor, but more severe cases might require us to remove and replace the tooth altogether. Again, we won’t leave you in the dark on anything regarding your treatment, including the cost. So, you don’t have to worry about being surprised when the bill comes.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
It’s very common for dental insurance providers to cover one emergency dental exam annually as well as between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. That said, the fine print on the plan needs to be considered too, like if you have any waiting periods, annual deductibles, or yearly maximums. Since we welcome PPO insurance plans, you can turn to us for help! We’ll review your coverage with you, answer any questions you have, and file the claims on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance currently, then don’t hesitate to ask us about the other financial solutions we offer, including:
- Flexible Financing: If it simply isn’t possible to pay for the entire cost of your treatment upfront, that’s okay! Flexible financing with trusted third-party financiers, like CareCredit, allows you to break up the price into smaller monthly installments instead.
- Dental Savings Plan: When you join, you get immediate access to perks that help you save, including a limited emergency exam annually. You also save on essential preventive care to help protect your teeth and gums from harm altogether!
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Unfortunately, some dental emergencies are the result of accidents that are completely unavoidable. The good news, however, is that many can be prevented with a combination of a solid oral hygiene regimen and a commitment to good dental care habits. That includes brushing and flossing consistently, avoiding tobacco products, and coming in for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
It’s better to try and avoid dental emergencies altogether than to try and repair the damage afterward. In other words, while our Jacksonville dental team is always here to help you, we also want to give you the tools you need to protect your smile from harm at home too. With this in mind, keep reading for a few things you can do to reduce your chances of needing same-day care.
Visit Us Semi-Annually for a Checkup and Cleaning
One reason your semi-annual visits to our office are so important is that they allow us to conduct a thorough oral exam. In the process, we can catch oral cancer, tooth decay, gum disease, and the like while they are still minor and treatable.
It’s also important to note that the cleaning portion of your biannual appointments is important too because they ensure built-up plaque and tartar are cleared away, helping to prevent painful toothaches, persistent dental sensitivity, and more.
Brush and Floss Your Teeth Consistently
In short, brushing and flossing daily can help you avoid tooth decay, gum disease, and other potentially severe oral health issues. So, if your oral hygiene regimen has fallen to the back burner, it’s time to make it a priority again! Start by getting all of the essentials, including a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. Then, commit to brushing for two full minutes each morning and evening and flossing every day.
Keep Foods and Drinks with Added Sugar to a Minimum
As you may already know, sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Since tooth decay can wreak havoc on your oral health, it’s important to keep your consumption of this sweetener to a minimum. Instead, fill your diet with smile-friendly foods, like plain yogurt, oatmeal, celery, and strawberries. The nutrients they contain will help keep your gums healthy, your jawbone strong, and your smile infection-free.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
It goes without saying that you should wear a mouthguard if you wrestle, play football, or participate in another contact sport. What might surprise you, however, is that patients are encouraged to wear one during nearly every physical activity, including skateboarding, weightlifting, and running. This will protect your teeth and gums from unforeseen incidents, like a bad fall.
Don’t Use Tobacco Products
Simply put, using tobacco products increases your risk of a wide range of issues, including oral cancer and tooth loss. So, for the sake of your oral and overall health, you should quit. It’s also smart to break other bad habits, like chewing your fingernails, using your teeth as tools to open things, and chewing on the back of your pen, to help protect your teeth from physical damage.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Dental emergencies typically happen when you least expect them, so they might seem unsettling and confusing when they happen. However, you don’t have to go into the situation blind. To help you be well-informed while you seek treatment, our team has collected and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about dental emergencies in Jacksonville. Read on to learn more or reach out to our office if you don’t see the information you’re looking for!
What Does Throbbing Tooth Pain Mean?
If you’re experiencing throbbing tooth pain, you might expect this to be an indication of inflammation or infection within your tooth. Having cracks or cavities can expose the inner layers to air and bacteria, which can then cause the pulp nerves to become irritated or infected. Of course, another cause for throbbing tooth pain can be dental decay, as the bacteria has reached the sensitive inner area. Your discomfort may also be due to chronic teeth clenching and grinding, especially during sleep. If you wish to know the exact root of the issue, you’ll need to schedule a visit with our team so we can evaluate your situation.
Will My Toothache Go Away On Its Own?
A toothache should not be able to go away on its own, as the cause of the problem typically lies within the tooth nerves. If any pain does seem to vanish by itself, this isn’t technically a good thing, as the pulp area may be infected and already too damaged to feel anything. That’s why you’ll need to visit our team for a checkup, as we’ll be able to thoroughly examine your mouth and rule out all the possible causes of your toothache. Your routine visits will also allow us to monitor your smile and address any underlying problems we might detect before they can worsen over time.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
If you’re dealing with tooth pain at night, it can be challenging to get plenty of sleep. While you wait to see your dentist at your soonest appointment, make sure to keep your head elevated with a couple more pillows. This will help prevent blood from rushing to your head, which can exacerbate your toothache. Feel free to also take over-the-counter painkillers as instructed on the label. Avoid eating particularly acidic, cold, or hard foods just before bed, as they can irritate the area. Use a cold compress on the outside of your cheek to help reduce discomfort.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Remember that emergency rooms typically won’t be equipped to handle dental emergencies. That’s why, if you’re experiencing a more serious or life-threatening issue, such as excessive bleeding, difficulty breathing/swallowing, or a broken jaw, then you should visit your local ER right away. Otherwise, if the problem revolves around your teeth and gums, it’s best to see your dentist so that you can get the treatment you need to return to oral health.