Emergency Dentist — Powell, OH
Get the Relief You Need Fast!
If you just knocked out one of your teeth or woke up with a searing toothache, what’s your next step? Who should you call? When you find yourself in the middle of a dental emergency, the best thing for you to do is to immediately call your emergency dentist, Dr. Ryan Eskridge, who is experienced in these high-intensity oral health situations and can get you the relief you need fast with emergency dentistry in our Powell, OH dental office! To get the relief you need fast, don’t hesitate to call us.
Why Choose Wedgewood Complete Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?
- #1 Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
- #2 Open Early On Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays
- #3 Comprehensive, One-Stop Dental Care
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
Dental emergencies are often sudden, painful, and alarming, so it’s easy to panic. But we encourage you to keep your cool so you can act quickly and correctly! Fortunately, knowing that you have an experienced dental team in your corner should take some stress out of the situation. Here’s what to do if you find yourself facing a dental emergency:
- Step 1: Call us as soon as you can! We are often able to see emergency patients the same day they call us. We’ll also walk you through how to manage your symptoms until you can reach our office.
- Step 2: See Dr. Eskridge for an exam. Your Powell emergency dentist Dr. Eskridge will see you for an examination right away. Once he’s provided any necessary pain relief and taken a close look at your smile, he’ll review his findings with you and fully explain your treatment options. You’ll work together to create a treatment plan for restoring your oral health.
- Step 3: Get the gentle, professional care you need. Once a treatment plan has been made, we’ll get to work right away to protect your teeth and repair your smile. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy, and pain-free smile once again!
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Although you may think it will never happen to you, dental emergencies are common. In fact, one in six Americans faces one each year. Often, they come without any warning, such as from a fall or accident. Other times, they can result from an issue that’s been brewing in your mouth, like an untreated cavity. No matter the cause, Dr. Eskridge can stop your pain and save your smile. In the meantime, here’s what you can do at home while you wait for your appointment.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Understanding the cost of emergency dentistry is important, but since there isn’t a flat fee, it isn’t easy without an appointment. That’s why we’ve dedicated this next section to reviewing some helpful information on the topic, including if dental insurance typically covers a portion of the price. Of course, you’re always welcome to give our Powell dental team a call directly if you can’t find the information you’re looking for below.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
Simply put, there isn’t a specific amount you can expect to pay for emergency dental care. This is mainly due to the fact that the cost is largely dependent on your individual needs! For example, even if two patients visit us because of a toothache, one might need a tooth-colored filling and the next might need root canal treatment and a dental crown. Don’t worry – we will provide you with an estimate during your consultation and discuss your payment options before getting started. That way, there aren’t any unpleasant surprises when it comes to the cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Sometimes, yes! In addition to 50% or more of the cost of essential restorative care being covered, you may have one emergency exam included in your annual benefits. Of course, it’s important to review the fine print on your plan first since policies vary from patient to patient. Since we are an insurance-friendly office, we can help you better understand your benefits. In fact, we’ll even work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to file the necessary paperwork and reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you are uninsured, then you should definitely consider joining our in-house membership plan. In addition to enjoying complimentary preventive care, like 1-2 doctor exams annually, you can take advantage of other perks, like a complimentary emergency exam and 15% off some other treatments. We’re also proud to accept several forms of payment to cover any remaining balance, like third-party financing with CareCredit. In short, we never want you to have to choose between the health of your smile and the health of your wallet, so don’t hesitate to bring any questions you have about the cost to us.
Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Since taking care of your smile can reduce your risk of sustaining a serious dental injury, taking care of your smile can also help you save money! To start, we recommend implementing a solid oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash daily, and getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. Since sports-related accidents are one of the leading causes of knocked-out teeth, it’s also important to wear a mouthguard if you participate in one.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Sadly, accidents can’t always be avoided. Before you let that discourage you, there is good news: some dental injuries can be prevented. To reduce your chances of experiencing one, we recommend implementing the below best practices:
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Remember, even if you consistently brush and floss, you need to come in for a checkup and cleaning every six months. With advanced diagnostic tools and a thorough oral exam, we can catch cavities, gum disease, oral cancer, and other serious oral health issues early on – well before they require emergency dental care. Plus, we can remove plaque and tartar during your cleaning, which will help keep your smile decay and infection-free between visits.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
In short, maintaining a good oral hygiene routine at home can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and, in turn, reduce your chances of experiencing a dental injury. The best place to start is with a solid brushing regimen, which involves using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth each morning and evening. Additionally, you should floss and rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash daily to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
As you may know, sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Once a cavity forms, your tooth is vulnerable to further damage, including a crack or fracture. So, to protect your teeth from harm, we recommend being mindful of your consumption of added sugar. It’s also a good idea to stock up on foods that benefit your oral health, including sweet potatoes, celery, carrots, and eggs! These will help keep your smile free of decay and infections.
Wear a Mouthguard
If you play a contact sport, like football, then you’re at an increased risk of sustaining a serious dental injury. In fact, even if you participate in a non-contact one, such as surfing, you need to protect your teeth and gums in case you accidentally fall. That’s why we encourage our patients to wear a mouthguard! Our Powell dental team can have a custom one made so it’s the appropriate thickness, it’s effective, and it’s comfortable.
Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth
Have you ever torn off plastic packaging with your teeth? Have you held your keys in your mouth while looking through your purse? Maybe you’ve used your teeth to open a bottle cap. These are all habits that can severely damage your teeth. So, even if you haven’t run into issues in the past, you should stop using your teeth as tools. Remember, while it may seem inconvenient in the moment to track down the scissors or bottle cap opener, a painful dental injury is significantly more inconvenient.
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
Let’s be honest, a sudden dental emergency can be quite scary. If you’re like many Americans, you might not know what to do if you’re in this situation. Don’t worry, Dr. Eskridge is here for you. As an emergency dentist, he will create the customized solution you need to restore your smile and stop your pain. He’ll explain what you can expect and address your concerns during your visit. In the meantime, you can find the answers to a few of the most common questions we hear to help you make the best choices for your smile.
How Long Can I Wait to See My Dentist?
No one has time in their day for an unplanned trip to the dentist. As a result, you might be tempted to wait to see your dentist until you have a bit more flexibility in your schedule. Unfortunately, if you don’t see them right away, you might lose your tooth. As with any emergency, time is of the utmost importance. The quicker you see your dentist, the faster the root cause of the problem can be treated to restore a healthy, functional smile.
Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
If you have a dental emergency, your first thought might be to head to your local hospital; however, they aren’t equipped to treat oral health issues. In fact, the most they can do is prescribe antibiotics or pain relievers. They cannot address the underlying problem. It’s always best to visit your dentist, but if you suspect a broken jaw, have a medical emergency, or another injury, go to the emergency room first. Dr. Eskridge will be here for you after you’ve been treated.
Is It better to Have My Tooth Extracted?
Extracting a problematic tooth stops the issue at its source. This might seem like the right choice; however, it creates a new list of complications. Every tooth is essential to your oral health and functions. If you lose even one, you’re now at risk of losing more because your jawbone will deteriorate since it isn’t being stimulated by the root, causing your teeth to move out of alignment. This increases your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. You’ll need to permanently invest in a dental prosthetic to fill the space to stop the complications of missing teeth.
Dr. Eskridge will do everything he can to save your natural tooth from an extraction. He will only recommend removing a tooth when there are no other viable options to save it. If you must have a tooth taken out, he will explain your replacement options to preserve your remaining teeth.
Will My Dental Insurance Pay for an Emergency Visit?
Although every plan differs, most insurance companies will cover the cost of 1 emergency visit per year. They may also pay a portion of the cost of the treatment until you reach your annual limit. We will work on your behalf with your insurance carrier to reduce the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket.
