A dental emergency is no fun for anybody. The need for an emergency dentist can be obvious when something has happened like a getting an object stuck between your teeth or when there has been trauma like a knocked-out tooth or chipped or broken tooth. Other dental emergencies can be less obvious and people tend to try to ignore the discomfort until it becomes unbearable. Issues such as a severe toothache or abscess never get better on their own and in cases of an abscess or other infection can spread to other areas of the mouth or body when left untreated. 

How To Find An Emergency Dentist

Not all dentists provide emergency treatment care. If you need to find an emergency dentist and aren’t sure where to start, you can always enter “emergency dentist near me” into your smartphone and it will return the closest results in your area. At Elite Dentistry, we offer same-day appointments and  24-hour emergency dentistry services. Our relaxed and friendly environment helps put patients at ease during a dental emergency. 

What To Do If You Can’t Seek Emergency Dental Care Right Away

We always encourage patients to see a dentist if they are in pain or experiencing any other dental emergency. Taking matters into your own hands is not the best option, but if you for some reason cannot get to an emergency dentist location right away, there are some basic things you can do for common dental emergencies. 

Chipped or Knocked-Out Teeth

For example, if your tooth has been knocked-out, there is a chance that you could still save the tooth. As soon as possible, we recommend putting the tooth in a cup of milk, saltwater, or carefully holding it in your mouth to keep it moist with saliva. A similar solution can be used for chipped teeth. This will help keep the tooth moist until you can seek treatment. This is of course not a long-term solution. It is important to see a dentist to prevent infection and see if the tooth can be reattached.

Cuts, Bleeding or Toothaches

If you have a cut or minor irritation your mouth, you can rinse with warm salt water. You can also use a piece of gauze to gently apply pressure to the area to stop any bleeding. If the cause of the irritation is a toothache, just plain warm water is a better option for swishing. You may also want to ensure that the source of the pain is not impacted food – which you may be able to remove gently with floss. 

For more ways to take care of an oral emergency before you can seek urgent dental care, visit our Emergency Dentist page.

How Much Does It Cost To See An Emergency Dentist?

The cost of any dental emergency will vary depending on what the actual emergency is. It is hard for any dental office to offer a price estimate without seeing what the actual problem is first. Dental insurance may cover part of the cost, but most emergency dentists offer payment plans or different payment methods for their patients to choose from. That is certainly what we do at Elite Dentistry. Don’t let the cost deter you from getting the care that you need. 

The Best Care Is Preventative Care

The best way to avoid a trip to the emergency dentist is with preventative care. This means keeping up with your regular dental treatment to ensure that your teeth and gums remain in good health and you aren’t at risk for gum disease. It also means preventing the type of behavior that can lead to emergency care. For example, if you play sports, be sure to wear a mouthguard and necessary face protection. You should also avoid putting objects in your mouth that were not designed to be there and never chew on ice, hard candy or other hard foods that can damage your teeth or enamel.

Get The Dental Treatment You Deserve

We believe that everyone deserves a bright, healthy, and beautiful smile. That’s why we offer cosmetic dental options that cater to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. Our state of the art facility and highly trained Simi Valley dentists will craft a treatment plan and guide you through the process to deliver exceptional results. Don’t wait any longer to achieve the smile of your dreams; schedule a consultation with us today!