Emergency Dentist – Plainview, NY

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is anything that is broken, painful, or bleeding in your mouth. While there are a number of situations which could require urgent dental care, some of the most common dental emergencies include the following:

• Knocked-out tooth
• A toothache or abscess
• Broken filling or crown
• Dislodged tooth
• Broken tooth
• Something lodged between teeth
• Injury to the lips, gums, or jaw
• Pain or swelling in the face

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list. If you feel like something has gone wrong with your oral health, do not hesitate to get in touch with us right away.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency

The most important thing to remember in the event of a dental emergency is to remain calm. Panicking won’t help anything or anyone. Keep a clear head and feel confident knowing you have an emergency dentist just a phone call away! When you contact Meadowbrook Dentistry, we will offer first aid tips to help control the situation until you can make it to our office as soon as is necessary given the severity of the injury/problem.

First aid tips for dental emergencies include:

• Collect and store any larger broken pieces for possible reattachment
• Rinse (but do not scrub) a knocked-out tooth. Store it in the original socket, a cup of milk, or wrap in plastic wrap until you can make it to our office. Come in within the hour for the best chance of successful reattachment.
• Stop bleeding with a clean gauze or cloth.
• Use an ice pack in 10- to 15-minute intervals to reduce swelling or pain.
• Take an over-the-counter pain medication as directed for an ache or pain.

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

The treatment for a dental emergency depends on the original injury or problem. For an ache caused by tooth decay, a root canal with a dental crown will often be recommended. A dental crown can also restore a broken or cracked tooth. Sometimes, a knocked-out tooth cannot be reattached -- and we may set you up for a dental implant to replace it. Whatever the recommended treatment for your emergency, you can feel confident when you partner with your dentist in Plainview for a solution! We’re even open longer hours than most dental practices (including nights and weekends) to better accommodate your needs.

Root Canals

Every tooth has a small amount of soft tissue inside it called the dental pulp, and this is actually where the delicate nerve of the tooth is located. When this tissue becomes infected or damaged, it can cause quite a bit of pain-- the kind that prevents you from concentrating on anything else. Fortunately, we can relieve this kind of discomfort with a root canal, where your dentist will remove this infected tissue and save your tooth. Thanks to modern dental techniques and sedation, you can rest assured that you’ll remain comfortable throughout the entire procedure.

Learn More About Root Canals

Tooth Extractions

For our patients who have severely damaged teeth that can’t be remedied with a root canal, we also offer tooth extractions in Plainview. By removing an infected or impacted tooth, we’re able to create a healthy foundation for you to rebuild your smile on. Plus, we’re able to keep the current problem from causing additional damage to your surrounding teeth. In addition to extractions, we offer numerous restorative dental treatments, so we can repair your smile to look like normal again.

Learn More about Tooth Extractions

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

The unexpected can happen anytime, anyplace. Knowing what to do is important when faced with a serious dental injury but what you might not consider until it’s time to check out at the dentist’s office is how much you can expect to pay for treatment. The cost of emergency dentistry in Planview is different for each case. Although it might seem as if you’ll pay the same as someone else suffering from a chipped tooth, you will not. Instead, a thorough consultation with our team will help to determine the actual expenses you will incur so you can better plan for a healthier, more beautiful smile.

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Every Dental Emergency is Different

It’s normal to think there is a set price for patients suffering from a knocked-out tooth, but the truth is that even similar situations that involve a missing tooth will lead to different costs. There are many factors our team at Meadowbrook Dentistry must consider, such as the type of injury and its severity, how we plan to treat the problem, if customized restorations are necessary, and how you plan to pay.

One of the most important things to remember is that no matter your financial situation, it’s always best to seek treatment and not forgo immediate care. In doing so, you can worsen your symptoms and wreak more havoc on your oral and overall health.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

There is a high probability that your dental insurance company offers one emergency exam each year. But it’s not the actual visit that makes these appointments costly. Instead, it is the type of restorative care you will need to fix the problem. Only when we evaluate your situation will we be able to determine how much you can expect to pay. Fortunately, many insurance plans provide a 100-80-50 breakdown, which means that as long as you meet your deductible, they will agree to pay up to 80% of the total cost depending on the service you need.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

At Meadowbrook Dentistry, we are pleased to provide our patients with alternative payment options. For those who are uninsured, you can enroll in our in-house dental plan, which means paying a low monthly fee for access to free preventive care and discounts on other available cosmetic and restorative treatments. This eliminates the red tape of traditional dental insurance.

There is also the option to enroll in a low or no-interest payment plan through CareCredit or Proceed Finance. These allow you to break up the cost of your care into smaller, monthly installments instead of paying the full amount upfront.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Attempts to prevent all dental emergencies are futile. A sudden fall cannot be predicted, so if a tooth becomes chipped, cracked, or knocked out, there are available treatments we can use. But there are also ways to minimize your risk and take better care of your smile. And as a result, you’ll find that you save more money in the long run.

When first noticing pain or swelling inside your mouth, don’t wait to seek professional help. Call our office right away to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Planview. The longer you wait, the greater the risk of more serious symptoms.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

With good oral hygiene habits in place, there’s a good chance you’ll never experience a dental emergency! That’s why our team at Meadowbrook Dentistry recommends being vigilant about caring for your teeth and gums. With this in mind, here are a few best practices we encourage our patients in Plainview to adopt:

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Visit Your Dentist for a Checkup and Cleaning Biannually

Simply put, we cover a lot of ground at your biannual checkups and cleanings! To begin, we screen for gum inflammation, tooth decay, damaged restorations, and other serious oral health concerns. In fact, we can even take a deeper look with X-rays, allowing us to catch issues like impacted wisdom teeth before they cause you any pain. It’s also worth noting that the cleaning portion of your visit can help reduce your chances of experiencing a dental emergency because we use special tools to remove plaque, tartar, and pockets of bacteria.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Each day, it’s important that you are proactive about caring for your teeth and gums. In addition to brushing for a full two minutes each morning and evening, you should floss and rinse with mouthwash. Make sure to use the right oral hygiene products too! For example, hard-bristled toothbrushes can irritate your gums and even result in an infection. That’s why we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush, fluoridated toothpaste, and antimicrobial mouthwash.

Stick to a Nutritious Diet

In short, eating well-balanced, nutrient-dense meals matters! With a varied, vitamin-rich diet, your body will keep your teeth strong, your gums healthy, and your mouth infection-free. So, try filling your plate with plain yogurt, fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, oatmeal, and other smile-friendly foods. On the opposite end, eating and drinking foods that are high in added sugar consistently can negatively impact your oral health. As a result, we recommend keeping sodas, ice cream, and other sweet treats to a minimum.

Wear a Mouthguard

Although it may seem like common sense to wear a mouthguard during sports, there are still roughly five million teeth that are knocked out each year. That’s why patients are encouraged to wear a mouthguard during practices and even during non-contact sports, like skateboarding and surfing. It may seem unnecessary, but you’ll be happy you did when it protects your smile (and your wallet!) from a serious dental injury.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Sure, your teeth are strong and sharp. However, that doesn’t mean that you should use them to open packages or bottle caps. You also shouldn’t use your teeth to hold your keys or trim your nails! Although your teeth may not get damaged the first time, each time you engage in this unhealthy dental habit you’re at an increased risk of chipping, cracking, or fracturing one of your teeth.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Since they happen when you least expect them, dental emergencies can often feel unsettling and overwhelming. The good news is that our team will do everything we can to make sure you’re comfortable and feel confident during an urgent situation. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most commonly asked questions our emergency dentist gets from our patients in Plainview. Read on to learn more about what you can expect or give us a call today if you need to schedule an appointment

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Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

This will depend entirely on the urgent situation you’re experiencing. In most cases, if the injury or damage is related to your teeth and oral health, then you’ll want to visit your emergency dentist for treatment. Most emergency rooms aren’t equipped to provide immediate dental care, as they don’t always have a dentist on staff. However, if your situation involves complications like persistent bleeding, major lacerations to the mouth or face, a dislocated or broken jaw, or difficulty breathing and swallowing, then you’ll want to head straight to an ER for help.

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Contrary to popular belief, even a minor toothache will not generally go away by itself. This condition can be due to a range of issues—from an object stuck between your teeth to a serious oral infection. For this reason, you’ll want to visit your dentist sooner rather than later to address the root of the problem. They’ll be able to look over your situation and provide the necessary treatment to get your tooth back to health. This way you can also prevent any developing issues from getting worse over time.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

While most people experience bad breath (or halitosis) at some time in their life, some might have this condition for much longer than others. If this is a problem even after you’ve already brushed your teeth or rinsed with mouthwash, then it might be a sign that you have an underlying issue that can’t be fixed with mints or even oral hygiene. Common causes of chronic bad breath include gum disease, cavities, and oral infections. If you start to experience halitosis that won’t go away after several days, be sure to visit your dentist for help.

What Should I Keep in My Emergency Dentistry Kit?

Although dental emergencies aren’t always predictable, it does pay to remain vigilant and prepared for any urgent situation if possible. If you have an emergency dentistry kit, make sure to include the following items:

• Cotton balls
• Denture adhesive and/or dental wax
• Petroleum jelly
• A topical anesthetic like Orajel
• Ice pack/cold compress
• Anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen
• Small sealable containers for teeth or restorations
• Your dentist’s contact information