Dental emergencies seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. Not having dental insurance only adds to the stress of the situation. It is challenging to know what to do, especially if you are concerned about what your bill will look like. To good news is that an emergency dentist is here to help! Here are some things you should know if you are seeking urgent dental care without dental insurance.
Know How to Identify an Emergency
When you aren’t insured, it is worth it to know what needs immediate attention and what can wait. Here are some things that require urgent dental care from your emergency dentist as soon as possible:
- Loose permanent teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Jaw injuries
- Uncontrollable bleeding
There are some other dental emergencies that aren’t as urgent, but you should still schedule an appointment to have the issue looked at as soon as possible:
- Broken teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Dull toothaches
- Lost or damaged filling, crowns, or bridges
Most oral health problems are best treated by an emergency dentist because they are equipped and able to get to the root of the issue. However, there are a few exceptions. You should go to the emergency room if you have:
- A broken or dislocated jaw
- Severe facial or oral trauma
- Signs of a severe dental infection (high fever and swelling)
Making a Plan
Dental emergencies are much easier to address if you have a plan set up ahead of time. By knowing what to do to handle certain issues, you will be able to reduce anxiety and get the help you need. If you have irritation or swelling in your mouth, use a mixture of warm water and salt to rinse. Using a cold compress may also help.
If you have a knocked-out tooth, pick up the tooth by the crown and rinse it off with water. Don’t dry it. Try to place it back into the socket where it belongs. If you are unable to do this, place it into a container of milk or saliva to keep it moist until you can see an emergency dentist. You need to receive treatment within an hour of the injury for the best chance of saving the tooth.
Knowing Your Financial Options
Worrying about the cost of treatment is the most common reason why people put off getting essential dental care. Fortunately, many dentists offer special offers, in-house dental plans, and flexible financing options to help make needed dental treatments more affordable. By talking to the office administration team, you can learn more about your options and how to make your treatment more affordable.
If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid emergency treatment. By making a plan and discussing your options with the dental team, you can make your treatment better fit into your budget. You deserve a healthy smile regardless of if you have insurance.
About the Practice
At The Smile Standard, Dr. Toufeek Dabah and Dr. Shaista Hasan work together to treat patients in the Schaumburg community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof! If you are experiencing a dental emergency, they would be happy to help. With a variety of financial options, their team can help to make your treatment as affordable as possible. To learn more about emergency dentistry or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call (847) 882-8387.