While a dental emergency can be virtually impossible to predict, there are ways you can reduce your risk substantially. For example, our team recommends patients to:
Brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste for at least two minutes at a time
Floss at least once a day
Maintain biannual visits to our dental office for exams and cleanings
Avoid chewing extremely hard foods (hard candy, ice cubes) or on inedible objects, either as a nervous habit or in place of proper tools (pens, pencils, fingernails, packages, bottles)
Wear a nightguard if you suffer from teeth grinding and clenching
Wear a sportsguard when playing contact sports or participating in activities where the chance for impact is high
When most people are struck by a dental emergency, they’re shocked and confused. They often have several questions about what happens next. Your emergency dentist in Mesa wants you to remain calm and schedule an appointment with us as soon as you can. While you wait for your visit, it may ease your mind to read through this list of emergency-related questions that we get asked frequently at our practice.
If you’re not sure whether your situation counts as a dental emergency, it’s best to err on the side of caution and give us a call anyway. Over the phone, describe what happened, how you’re feeling, and any symptoms you’re experiencing. From there, we’ll tell you whether you need to book an appointment right away or if your problem can wait a few days or weeks. In most cases, severe pain, swelling, and bleeding all indicate a dental emergency.
If you were involved in a major accident that injured parts of your body other than your mouth, then you should absolutely head to the ER before you contact us. A visit to the ER is also in your best interest if your jaw was broken or dislocated, you have significant cuts on your face, or your facial injuries or swelling are making it hard to swallow or breathe. After the ER doctors tend to you, come see us so we can treat any dental damage.
For most other dental emergencies, you’re much better off calling your dentist in Mesa instead of the ER. While they may be able to treat your pain or infection, we’re able to get to the heart of specific dental issues.
Although policies differ, most dental insurance plans cover the cost of one emergency exam a year. Additionally, they might cover the care of certain restorative procedures at up to 50%-80%.
Our practice is in-network with a long list of dental insurance companies, such as Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and Delta Dental. We’ll be more than happy to look over your plan and find any coverage you may qualify for.
When you first arrive at our office with a dental emergency, our top priority will be relieving your pain and getting your smile’s health back on the right track. After we get that taken care of, we’ll gladly develop a personalized treatment plan to help your smile achieve its original beauty with further cosmetic and restorative treatments.