It’s all too easy to be caught unprepared for a dental emergency, which is why it’s important to have a plan in place for dealing with one. Naturally, this plan should involve a call to your dentist; the ER likely won’t be equipped to handle issues such as toothaches or missing teeth. Here at Skyline Dental of Morristown, we gladly accept emergency patients, and we can set up same-day dental appointments whenever necessary. Reach out to us right away if you need urgent dental care from Dr. Henkin and the rest of our highly experienced dental team.
Why Choose Skyline Dental of Morristown for Emergency Dentistry?
Early, Late, and Saturday Appointments
State-of-the-Art Dental Technology
We Accept All PPO Dental Insurance Plans
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Our team will work to help restore your oral health and put a stop to your pain as quickly as possible. Here are the steps that we typically follow when our patients need urgent dental care:
Schedule a Same-Day Appointment: We’ll try to see you on the same day that you call our office. We offer late hours on all weekdays (except for Wednesday), and we can see you on Saturday if needed. Our team can give you advice over the phone for managing your symptoms.
Perform an Emergency Exam: When you arrive, we’ll focus on helping you find relief from your immediate pain, and we’ll work to identify what’s causing your dental issue. In many cases, our team will need to take X-rays of your mouth.
Review Our Findings: We’ll explain what we found in your mouth and go over what treatments can help. You can count on our team to work alongside you to put together a treatment plan, and we’ll keep you informed of the likely cost and the length of each recommended procedure.
Get the Care You Need: You shouldn’t be forced to live with dental damage or pain any longer than necessary. Whatever type of treatment you need, we’ll work to complete it as quickly as possible to help you get back a healthy smile.
How to Handle Common Dental Emergencies
Some dental emergencies are caused by accidents that come out of nowhere; for example, you might get hit in the face while playing sports and end up with broken teeth. On the other hand, certain emergencies may be linked to dental issues that slowly grow worse over time, such as a toothache caused by advanced decay. It’s best to call our office as soon as you realize that you have an emergency situation on your hands; it’s never a good idea to delay care any longer than necessary. Here are some examples of common dental emergencies that our team can help you with.
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
You shouldn’t let fears of a large dental bill stop you from getting the care you need when you’re suffering from a serious dental problem. Not only will our team be transparent about the cost of your emergency care, but we can also help you find ways to make it more affordable. After giving you an estimate that you can rely on, we’ll walk you through your payment options so that you can start making a plan that’s right for both your smile and your bank account.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Do you want to minimize the odds of a dental emergency happening? We have good news: there are simple steps you can take to protect your teeth and gums, dramatically reducing your risk of sustaining a serious injury in the process. Here are a few!
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Remember, even if you aren’t experiencing any abnormal symptoms, like pain when biting down, you need to schedule a dental checkup and cleaning every six months. If you don’t, cavities, gum disease, and other serious oral health issues can develop (and progress!) for weeks, months, or years, wreaking havoc on your smile in the process. The easiest way to prevent that from happening is by prioritizing essential preventive care and getting any restorative treatments you need right away.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Another way to lower your risk for oral health issues is by practicing good oral hygiene every day. That starts by brushing your teeth for two full minutes when you wake up in the morning and extends to flossing and rinsing with mouthwash before you go to bed at night. Outside of that, make sure that you clean your toothbrush holder periodically, that you discard any expired products, and that you get a new toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every quarter so you aren’t using old, frayed bristles.
Eat Plenty of Healthy, Well-Balanced Meals
Simply put, eating healthy, well-balanced meals will benefit your oral health. Conversely, eating sticky or tough foods can cause dental damage. That’s why we recommend limiting your intake of hard pretzels, candy canes, peanut brittle, and other snacks with a tough consistency. We also encourage our patients not to chew on ice cubes – it won’t be long until your teeth give under the pressure!
Do What You Can To Protect Your Teeth
Do you like to stay active by playing sports, lifting weights, or running? If so, get in touch with us so we can have a custom mouthguard made for you. Remember, accidents can occur even during low-contact sports, like skateboarding or surfing, so it’s smart to wear a mouthguard even if it’s not required.
Important note: We also recommend wearing a nightguard if you grind or clench your teeth at night. That way, your teeth are protected from the pressure, reducing the risk of them chipping or cracking.
Break Bad Habits
Habits like biting your nails may seem harmless, but they can actually increase your risk of serious dental injuries. For that reason, we encourage our patients to take a look at their habits and see where there is room for improvement. A great example is always taking the time to find scissors when opening packages instead of using your teeth, or chewing on sugar-free gum instead of biting your nails when you feel nervous.
