It’s scary when something goes wrong with your oral health. No matter how well you care for your smile, a toothache, broken tooth, or other injury can take anyone by surprise -- and your next steps can mean the difference in saving the tooth or not. Knowing there is an emergency dentist near Agawam can help you keep calm in an urgent situation. Keep reading to learn more about how Dr. Frank Michitti and our team can help get you out of pain and on with your life the next time the unexpected occurs.
Sometimes people delay seeking the emergency treatment they need because they are unsure whether or not urgent care is really all that necessary. Don’t let that happen to you. The general guideline is this: if it is causing you persistent pain, if something has broken, or if there is significant bleeding, you should get in touch with your dentist right away. Some of the most common dental emergencies include the following below.
If you have a knocked-out tooth or a toothache, the last thing you should be worried about is how you’re going to afford to go to the dentist. Your financial situation should never prevent you from getting the care you need. Various factors affect the cost of emergency dentistry in Agawam, but we strive to keep it affordable for everyone. After addressing your pain, we’ll create the personalized plan you need to save your smile without spending your life’s savings.
Dental emergencies can take many forms. Not to mention, everyone’s mouth is unique. As a result, there’s not a cookie-cutter treatment plan for urgent services, so there isn’t a flat fee. The amount you will pay is determined by the services you require. Although every case differs, common emergency services include:
Your emergency dentist in Agawam will explain all your options and the fees associated with each. Rest assured; you’ll know exactly what you’ll need to pay before committing to anything.
Every insurance plan differs, but most offer coverage for emergency services, like the consultation. You can use your dental insurance to offset the amount you’ll pay out-of-pocket for your treatment, which can vary depending on your policy and procedure. After reaching your annual deductible, your insurance can cover up to 80% of the cost until reaching your yearly limit. A member of our team will work on your behalf to maximize your dental insurance, so you have one less thing to worry about during the stressful time.
Besides using your dental insurance, we offer multiple financial methods to keep your care affordable, such as:
A member of our team will review all your options. We will help you find the solutions you need to stop your pain without draining your wallet.
You can’t always stop a dental emergency from occurring, but there are several things you can do to lessen your risk. Most issues result from an untreated dental problem, like a cavity. Committing to your oral hygiene at home and visiting your dentist regularly will ensure there aren’t any concerns lingering in your mouth.
Besides a clean and healthy smile, your dentist, Dr. Michitti , recommends safeguarding your teeth and gums against preventable damage, like using a mouthguard if you have bruxism. It is also important to wear an athletic mouthguard if your play sports. You can avoid an unplanned trip to the dentist by keeping inedible objects out of your mouth and not using your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.
If you need an emergency dentist, don’t wait to contact our office for an appointment.
While there is no way to fully prevent a dental emergency, there are some steps you can take to help make sure one does not happen to you. Most tooth injuries occur as a result of contact sports -- and wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard can provide significant protection for your smile. Try to break habits like nail-biting and chewing on pens or ice. In addition, brushing and flossing your teeth and visiting the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning will help to prevent cavities that can turn into toothaches and abscesses later on.
When a dental emergency in Agawam happens unexpectedly, you need to take action to get the situation under control. However, it can be hard to do that if you feel like you don’t have all the information you need. To help you out, our team at Lifetime Dental has decided to answer a few frequently asked questions we receive from patients about dental emergencies. That way, you can be better prepared for these unfortunate situations. If you’d prefer to speak directly with Dr. Michitti, don’t hesitate to call our office!
Most toothaches will not go away on their own. They’re usually the result of severe tooth decay, which is a problem that requires professional attention. Because of that, it’s best to make an appointment with Dr. Michitti as soon as possible to ensure there’s nothing serious going on. Since there are multiple potential causes for tooth pain, you’ll want to rule them out with a dentist right away. By doing so, you can address underlying problems before they turn into severe complications.
If you have a nagging toothache at night, it can be difficult to catch some z’s. To help you sleep through it, you should keep your head elevated as it prevents blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your pain. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication as needed and use a cold compress to dull the discomfort.
It may surprise you to learn that most emergency rooms are not capable of effectively addressing dental emergencies. In almost all circumstances, it’s ideal to visit a dentist instead. Dr. Michitti and the rest of our team at Lifetime Dental have the training and equipment to relieve your pain and get your smile back to normal. However, there are three main exceptions where an ER visit is a better option: jaw fractures and dislocations, serious cuts or lacerations in the face or mouth, and swelling that gets in the way of breathing or swallowing.
Everyone has had bad breath at some point in their lives. It’s usually not a problem if it only happens in the morning or after eating certain foods. However, if you always have bad breath, it could indicate a more serious underlying condition. For instance, problems like cavities, gum disease, and oral infections can contribute to a foul mouth odor. If the scent doesn’t go away on its own within a few days, you should make an appointment with Dr. Michitti to see if there are any problems that may require further attention.
Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body, according to the American Dental Association. Unfortunately, it can’t regenerate, which means even the smallest chip will not heal. While the tooth can remineralize, in some cases, it isn’t the same as “growing back,” like your skin or bone. Thankfully, your emergency dentist in Agawam can restore your tooth with a cosmetic or restorative procedure.
Superglue is handy to have around the house for quick repairs, but you don’t want to use it on your denture. It can contain chemicals that might be toxic or cause allergic reactions. Not to mention, it doesn’t hold up well in moist environments, like your mouth. It’s better to leave the mending for the professionals. We know you can’t go without your teeth, so we’ll get you into the office quickly to make the necessary repairs or replacements.
A knocked-out tooth isn’t always lost for good. Taking the correct steps at home and getting quick dental care can increase the likeliness of saving your tooth. It’s always best to reinsert it into its socket after you’ve rinsed it, but if you aren’t successful, the tooth must be kept moist. However, don’t place it in water because it can damage the root surface cells. Instead, it’s better to put it in a saline solution or milk until you can get to your dentist within the next hour.
It depends on the severity of the break. If the chip or fracture is significant or you’re in pain, it is considered a dental emergency in Agawam. If the damage is minor and you’re not having any discomfort, you can wait a day or two for an appointment, but don’t delay treatment for too long. Your teeth will be vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria and additional damage. It’s best to see your dentist soon to rehabilitate your tooth.
If your denture has broken in half, only a qualified dental professional can repair it. In many cases, the entire denture will need to be replaced, but every situation differs. If possible, use an old denture until your replacement is ready.
A toothache can be caused by various factors, including an infection. The type of pain you are experiencing can help determine the source of your discomfort. A throbbing pain is often caused by an infection. You may also have a bitter taste in your mouth and red or swollen gums. Tooth sensitivity and chronic bad breath are also common. Although these symptoms are often associated with an infection, only a dentist can determine the cause of the pain. Besides a visual examination, they’ll also review X-rays to provide a detailed diagnosis. If your tooth is infected, you’ll likely require a root canal to save it from extraction.