Emergency Dentist – Midlothian, TX 

What Determines the Cost of Emergency Dental Care?

There’s no set price of treating a dental emergency because they can come in many forms. Here are some common factors that affect the cost of your visit:

• The severity of the damage to your mouth.
• Your current dental insurance coverage.
• Whether you require follow-up treatments or appointments.

Once we have completed our initial examination, we’ll discuss each of these factors with you and address any of your concerns. Our dental staff is more than happy to help you navigate your financial and insurance options to ease your stress.

Several Hassle-Free Ways to Pay

We believe that nobody should have to worry about how they’re going to be able to pay for their emergency dental care, which is why we strive to accommodate anybody’s financial situation. Here are some of the many hassle-free ways to pay that we offer:

• Our in-house dental plan covers the cost of one adult emergency exam a year and includes 15 percent off all additional regular-priced services.
• Make payments online through our portal.
• Apply for additional financing through CareCredit, Lending Point, or Wells Fargo.
• File a claim through your dental insurance. We are an in-network provider for several major PPO plans.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more, you can visit our new patient page for payment information or give our team a call.

Taking Care of Emergencies When They Occur

Some patients are tempted to leave their dental issue be to see if it cures itself. Unfortunately, this often results in the need for more invasive treatments down the road. That’s why we recommend coming in sooner rather than later. Oftentimes, the earlier we’re able to diagnose and treat a problem that’s giving you trouble, the most cost-effective the entire process will be.

Maintain Great Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

If you go even 12 hours without brushing and flossing, plaque in your mouth hardens into tartar. Because you can’t get rid of tartar by yourself (only a dental professional can remove it), the bacteria in it have ample time to damage your teeth and gums by causing painful infections. To prevent this, brush twice a day for two minutes a time, taking care to clean every surface of each tooth. Flossing daily can remove plaque from hard-to-reach areas.

Also, be sure to attend a dental checkup and cleaning at least twice a year. Not only do cleanings remove built-up plaque and tartar, but regular exams allow Dr. Johnson to spot and treat problem areas before they have the chance to spiral into full-blown emergencies.

Watch What You Eat

Cavities don’t always hurt in the early stages, but they can quickly spiral into a monster of a toothache if the decay reaches the sensitive pulp in the center of the tooth. Naturally, cutting down on sugar can drastically reduce this risk. It’s perfectly fine to indulge from time to time, but be sure to consume these things in moderation. Sipping sugary beverages through a straw can minimize direct contact with the teeth. Try to brush your teeth after eating or drinking these items, but if you can’t, at least swish some water around in your mouth.

Don’t bite down on anything that’s very hard, like peppermints or nut shells, as this could result in broken teeth. Similarly, you should also avoid using your teeth to open packages, hold bags of groceries, and chewing on inedible objects such as pen caps.

Protect Your Pearly Whites

Contact sports like martial arts or football carry a high risk of mouth injuries that could result in a tooth getting loosened or even knocked out entirely. To protect your smile from injury, wear a mouthguard whenever you engage in this sort of activity.

Your teeth might also be at risk for damage while you’re asleep. Many people suffer from bruxism (unconscious teeth grinding or jaw clenching that often happens while sleeping). This can wear down or weaken your enamel. Wearing a nightguard to bed can provide cushioning between your top and bottom teeth, avoiding this problem.

Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?

The answer is…it depends. If you suffer from a broken or fractured jaw, continuous bleeding from the mouth, or increased swelling that is making it difficult to breathe or swallow, get yourself to the closest emergency room for immediate medical attention.

Otherwise, you will be fine to call our office and schedule an appointment. We will work to get you as quickly as possible so that you will achieve relief from the pain.

Why Is Seeing a Dentist Better Than Going to the ER for a Dental Emergency?

Your emergency dentist is not only more knowledgeable but also trained in handling all types of dental emergencies. Apart from the fact that you will be working with someone who knows you personally and can offer start-to-finish dental care, you will avoid long hours waiting in a lobby. Instead, you will have a set time in which you can come in and get the care you need without sitting among others who may be very sick.

Should I Still See a Dentist If My Pain Is Gone?

Naturally, any time you feel pain within your mouth, you should contact us. However, if this discomfort goes away on its own, you may be tempted to cancel the appointment. Don’t do this. The reason is that there could be an underlying cause for your pain that is not capable of being seen by the naked eye. Pain doesn’t just occur for no reason, so even if it does dissipate, make sure you let us take a look. By examining your oral cavity and reviewing digital X-rays, we will be able to determine if anything is happening beneath the surface.

What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency While on Vacation?

First, find a local dentist who can see you and offer immediate dental care. You don’t want to spend your entire vacation in pain, so it’s best to get in to see someone who can minimize discomfort and fix your particular issue. Second, make sure to call us and alert us to the situation. This will allow us to discuss what kind of treatment you received and determine if you will need additional care when you return.

What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency But I’m Uninsured?

No matter the type of injury, forgoing treatment will only end in additional time and money spent attempting to save your oral health from further deterioration and damage. The sooner you seek treatment, the better off you and your smile will be. If you do not have dental insurance, we will be happy to assist in identifying additional payment methods that can be used to cover your out of pocket expenses.