Emergency Dentist Raleigh
We Work Quickly to Help You Out of Pain
Although a toothache or knocked-out tooth require timelier treatment than a lost dental crown or filling, they are all considered dental emergencies, which means the help of a trusted professional is necessary. At Falls Family Dental, we do not take dental injuries lightly and offer same-day emergency appointments should you suffer an unexpected crisis. Call our Raleigh dental office right away to let us know your situation so that we can work fast to deliver the emergency dental care your smile needs.
Why Choose Falls Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- Oral Conscious Sedation Available
- Your Dental Insurance Benefits are Maximized
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How We Treat Dental Emergencies
It’s normal to feel a sense of panic when faced with a dental emergency; however, being prepared can ensure you stay calm when it comes to getting the help you need. You should:
- Call our dental office: Calling Dr. Thore to explain the situation is the quickest way to get a same-day emergency dental appointment. Our team will provide first-aid instructions for you to use until you arrive for an exam.
- Undergo an emergency examination: Dr. Thore will immediately escort you to a treatment room and begin to examine your mouth. She will identify the source of the problem and build a treatment plan that includes her recommended solution.
- Receive essential care: After reviewing the plan with your dentist, you can trust we will begin to address the pain you’re experiencing as well as treat the problem tooth or teeth.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Are you experiencing dental pain? Have you suffered dental damage but are unsure if it’s serious enough to warrant an emergency appointment? If you answered “yes” to either question, don’t wait to call our office to schedule a visit. We treat all types of dental emergencies, so if you have questions about your injury or need guidance to know how to care for the problem, give us a call.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
It’s no secret that dental injuries, like chipped, cracked, and fractured teeth, can be quite painful. Fortunately, they are also largely preventable. With this in mind, keep reading to learn a few habits we recommend adopting (as well as a few we recommend avoiding) to protect your smile from harm.
Visit Us Twice a Year
Every six months, you should visit Dr. Thore for a dental checkup. Not only does this ensure that oral cancer and other serious conditions are caught in the early stages, but it also prevents decay and infection from progressing under the radar. So, if you’re overdue for a visit, now is the perfect time to schedule your next one. Whether it has been six months or six years since your last appointment, we look forward to seeing you!
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, you also need to take good care of your smile on a daily basis. The first step? Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth each morning and night. Then, incorporate flossing and rinsing with mouthwash into your daily routine. If you ever have any questions pertaining to your oral health – from how to floss properly to which type of floss you should be using – don’t hesitate to ask!
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
Eating lots of nutrient-dense foods also benefits your oral health. So, do your best to fill your plate with seasonal vegetables, fresh fruits, lean proteins, and the like. At the same time, cut back on ice cream, lollipops, soda, and other sugary treats that increase your risk of tooth decay.
Tip: Avoid extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, since they can easily chip or crack your enamel!
Wear a Mouthguard
Anytime you’re active – whether you’re lifting weights, riding your bike, or playing frisbee – you need to wear a mouthguard. Instead of buying a one-size-fits-all one online or from a sporting goods store, come to our office so we can have a custom one made for you. We’ll make sure that it’s the appropriate thickness, that it fits comfortably, and that it protects your smile from common sports-related injuries.
Break Bad Habits
Smoking is an important habit to break since it negatively impacts your teeth and gums while also increasing your risk of oral cancer. That said, even seemingly harmless habits can wreak havoc on your smile. For that reason, we strongly recommend not chewing on ice, not using your teeth as tools to open things, and not biting your nails. If you do start to experience abnormal dental symptoms, like persistent sensitivity or discomfort, call our Raleigh dental team ASAP.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Our Raleigh dental team does our best to make every aspect of your experience with us positive, including when it comes to navigating the financial side of your care. So, while we can’t provide you with an estimate of the cost without learning about your unique dental needs, we can share some helpful information on the topic, including the factors that impact the price. If you are interested in learning more about that, read on!
Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why
As we mentioned above, there isn’t a flat fee for emergency dentistry. Instead, the price is determined by several factors, including the type of dental injury, the extent of the damage, and the restorative service (or services) needed. After we’ve learned all about your symptoms, taken the necessary X-rays, and conducted a comprehensive visual exam, we can provide you with an estimate of the price before answering any final questions you have.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Good news: many dental insurance providers DO cover a portion of the cost. So, if you are insured, don’t hesitate to take a look at the fine print on your plan. And, if you need any help, ask us! We’re proud to be in-network with several popular providers, and we’d be happy to provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses. We can even handle all of the paperwork for you so the entire process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? That’s okay! We’re proud to offer not one, not two, but three additional financial solutions:
- Our In-House Savings Plan – When you join, you get immediate access to preventive care as well as significant discounts on other treatments completed at our office.
- Flexible Financing – Prefer to space out the cost of your care into smaller, more manageable chunks? Good news: you can with third-party financiers, like CareCredit!
- Periodic Specials – Throughout the year, we offer special offers, like a $89 emergency visit.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Consistently brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash help protect your teeth and gums from harm. But those aren’t the only measures we recommend taking. We also encourage our patients to keep an eye out for abnormal dental symptoms, like pain when biting down and tender gums. If these, or any other warning signs of trouble, arise, call us ASAP to schedule an emergency exam.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?
Unfortunately, toothaches generally do not go away on their own. For this reason, we recommend scheduling an emergency checkup with Dr. Thore to ensure that nothing is wrong. There are many potential causes for a toothache, and you’ll want to rule them out as soon as possible. This can help us catch any underlying problems before they have a chance to become more serious.
In some cases, toothaches that involve pain around the tooth (not inside) can go away on their own, such as an irritation to the gum surrounding the tooth.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
When suffering from a toothache at night, be sure to keep your head elevated while you sleep. This will prevent the blood from rushing to your head and intensifying the pain of your toothache.
Additionally, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed, and avoid any foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed for improved comfort. You can also use a cold compress to help dull some of the pain.
What if My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?
While it may seem like a relief if you have a severe toothache that goes away on its own, this does not necessarily mean that the problem has been solved. In fact, it could mean the situation is even more dire.
The lack of pain could indicate that the nerve inside your tooth is dead due to an infection, and if the infection isn’t dealt with, it could spread to the rest of your mouth.
Simply put, even if you’re no longer experiencing pain, you still need to see Dr. Thore as soon as possible so she can determine an appropriate form of treatment.
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Although they’re called an emergency room, unfortunately most hospital emergency rooms, mobile clinics, and urgent care centers are not equipped to handle dental emergencies effectively.
There are three main exceptions where an ER visit is a better option than an emergency dentist, including:
- Jaw fractures and dislocations.
- Serious cuts or lacerations to the face or mouth.
- Abscess or infection that is swollen to the point of affecting breathing or swallowing.
In nearly every other scenario, you should visit an emergency dentist first. At Falls Family Dental, we proudly offer same-day appointments for dental emergencies, so please call us as soon as possible for help!