Emergency Dentist — Shelton, CT

Every Dental Emergency is Different

An emergency dental visit is usually inexpensive. During your time at our office, Dr. Graber will examine your mouth to see what treatments are required to get you out of pain and back to normal. It is essentially impossible to provide you with a cost estimate without examining your smile in person and finding the root of the problem. Here are some of the most common services we use in the event of a dental emergency:

• Root canal therapy
• Tooth extractions
• Dental crowns
• TMJ treatment
• Fillings
• And more!

We will always explain what we find before developing your personalized treatment plan. This is where you’ll also get an estimated cost of your dentistry so you know exactly what to expect.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Most dental insurance plans offer some form of coverage for dental emergencies. Typically, one emergency exam a year is covered, and services like root canals, crowns, and other treatments associated with urgent dental care are partially covered anywhere from 50% to 80%. This will all depend on your provider, which is why it’s important to confirm with your insurance. We are more than happy to speak with them directly to maximize your benefits and save you money.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you don’t have insurance, no need to worry! We are committed to making our emergency dental care as affordable as possible. That’s why we offer alternative financing through CareCredit! With this option, you can choose low-to-no interest monthly payment plans based on your budget. It’s cost-effective and easy to use, which is why many patients prefer it to dealing with insurance. We are ready to help get you out of pain and back to smiling. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for help.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

While some dental emergencies are unavoidable, many urgent situations occur because of unchecked infection or damage. By maintaining regular dental visits to our office along with a good at home oral healthcare routine, you can potentially save yourself thousands of dollars in avoided trips to the emergency dentist in Shelton.

Once you notice pain, discomfort, or something abnormal, it’s vital to contact us right away. Unlike other medical conditions that can get better with time, dental problems will usually grow worse. That said, if you’re worried about cost, the price will only go up if you continue to wait. For example, a simple cavity that requires a filling could turn into a root canal if you’re not careful.

Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

Your biannual visits to our Shelton dental office are important for several reasons, including that the routine exams are designed to catch decay, cracks, chips, and other forms of dental damage in the early stages. We also take X-rays each year so we can monitor what’s going on underneath the surface as well. If we find anything concerning, we can create a custom treatment plan and intervene with the necessary restorative care right away.

Brush and Floss Consistently

To protect your teeth from decay and your gums from infection, you need to brush and floss consistently. It’s generally best to use a fluoride toothpaste that strengthens enamel so that it isn’t worn down as easily by the acids that oral bacteria produce. Additionally, you should opt for a soft-bristled toothbrush and find the type of floss that works best for you. That way, you don’t irritate your gums, and you are motivated to floss each and every day.

Eat Lots of Nutrient-Dense Foods

Remember, what you eat impacts your oral health. For that reason, it’s important to eat lots of nutrient-dense foods, like eggs, plain yogurt, oatmeal, bananas, and carrots. You should also limit your intake of foods and drinks with added sugar since they can lead to tooth decay.

Tip: Make water your go-to beverage! Not only will it help you stay hydrated, but it will help prevent dry mouth as well as stubborn surface stains.

Wear a Mouthguard During Any Kind of Sport

In short, you need to wear a mouthguard when playing any kind of sport (regardless of whether or not it’s a high-contact activity). That way, your smile is protected if you fall, if a rogue ball hits you in the jaw, or something similar.

Note: The mouthguards available at sporting goods stores are often uncomfortable, and, in some cases, they are a choking hazard. That’s why we recommend having a custom one made instead; we can help with that too!

Give Up Bad Habits

Last, but most certainly not least, you need to give up bad habits to protect your smile from harm. A few examples include crunching on ice, biting your nails, chewing on pen caps, and using your teeth as tools to open things. All it takes is one time for your teeth to crack under the pressure, warranting a same-day visit to our office.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

There are three specific kinds of dental emergencies where visiting the ER is your best option: jaw fractures and dislocations, serious cuts or lacerations in the face or mouth that lead to unstoppable bleeding, and swelling that gets in the way of breathing or swallowing. In virtually all other circumstances (i.e., any dental emergency that does not put your life at immediate risk), you should visit a dentist first. Most emergency rooms lack the means to effectively treat toothaches, missing teeth, and other common dental emergencies; Dr. Graber and the rest of our team at Dental Center of Huntington have the training and equipment to stop your pain and fix your smile.

My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt. Do I Still Need to Visit?

Any sort of damage to your tooth could potentially expose the inner area to infectious bacteria. Even if you aren’t experiencing any pain, you should still schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. Immediate attention isn’t necessarily required; it’s generally fine to wait a day or two. Just remember that delaying for too long leads to more opportunities for infections and may cause the chipped teeth to break further.

Should Knocked-Out Teeth Be Placed in Water?

Your top priority should be to keep a knocked-out tooth moist so that the cells on the roots are kept alive as long as possible. However, submerging the tooth in water can lead to damage that reduces the chances of a successful replantation. That’s why it’s better to soak the tooth in milk or a saline solution instead. However, the best option for preserving a knocked-out tooth is to place it back in the open socket, so make sure you try to do so before placing the tooth in any liquids.

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

Having bad breath in the morning or after eating certain foods is not a problem, but if you always have bad breath, it could be the sign of a more serious underlying condition. Cavities, gum disease, and dental infections are all conditions that are often accompanied by bad breath. Give your bad breath a few days to go away on its own. If you don’t see any improvements, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll check your teeth and gums to see if there are any problems that might require further attention.

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Toothaches do not typically go away on their own. For this reason, it’s best to schedule a checkup with a dentist to ensure that nothing serious is going on. There are all sorts of potential causes for toothaches, and you will want to rule them out with a professional as soon as you can. Doing this can help you to catch underlying problems before they become more severe.

How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?

It can be difficult to get quality sleep when you’re dealing with a nagging toothache. Until you are able to see your emergency dentist in the morning, keep your head elevated. This will prevent blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your tooth ache. Additionally, take over-the-counter medication as needed and avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed for improved comfort. A cold compress can also help.

Is my tooth pain from an infection?

If your tooth feels sore or is throbbing, it’s likely because of an infection. A bitter taste in your mouth, chronic bad breath, tooth sensitivity, red or swollen gums, or a sore on the gums are other signs that you could have an infection. However, the only way to know for sure is by seeing a dentist who can capture X-rays and provide a detailed diagnosis.

Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?

You should never try to pop a dental abscess on your own. Always get in touch with a dentist right away as either a tooth or gum abscess is considered a dental infection and is therefore a dental emergency. Popping the abscess will only expose your mouth to more bacteria and irritate the area more. Additionally, putting off treatment can allow the infection to spread to other areas of the body.