We work hard to keep our teeth in top shape throughout our lives to avoid things like gum disease and cavities. After all, our smile is one of the first things that people notice about us, so we might as well try to make it great.
The problem is that certain events are inevitable, like trauma or other issues that might cause our teeth to become suddenly impaired. Sometimes, these events can put your overall health in jeopardy.
But you shouldn’t need to worry about the cost of emergency dental care if you ever find yourself in a position where you need it.
Learn how to find affordable emergency dental care, even without an insurance plan.
Routine dental care involves maintaining your oral hygiene over time. Seeing a dentist once every six months, brushing and flossing, and getting cavities filled are all part of a routine dental routine to help keep your mouth in good shape to prevent problems later on.
However, a dental emergency occurs when there is a sense of urgency to ensure your overall well-being. You can typically tell if a dental abnormality is considered an emergency by looking for these signs:
While there is not a one-size-fits-all answer if you’re experiencing a dental emergency, a rule of thumb is that if you’re worried about your wellness or you’re in severe discomfort, it probably qualifies as a dental emergency.
The problem is that most dental clinics are only open during the day, and since they’re appointment-only on most occasions, you usually need to go to special clinics in order to get care. Additionally, the cost of paying for a dental emergency can be very high, considering a lot of care and effort needs to be put into making you feel better.
Again, it’s mostly subjective when it comes to deciding whether or not a circumstance is considered a dental emergency. However, here are some of the most common ones.
If you ever feel pain inside of a tooth, it’s probably your body’s way of letting you know that something isn’t right. With that in mind, it’s always a good idea to visit a dentist as soon as possible, especially if the pain is severe.
It might be something as simple as having some food stuck in your teeth, but a toothache might also be a sign of an infection inside the tooth. Infections can be fatal if left untreated, and they will only get more painful as time progresses.
People with irritated gums might experience some light bleeding after brushing. While this is still a sign that there might be an underlying issue, it’s usually not an emergency unless the gums continually bleed without stopping. If it’s accompanied by pain or swelling, it’s definitely time to see a professional.
Bleeding gums might be a sign of gingivitis (gum disease). It might also be a sign of a vitamin C deficiency, leukemia, or an infection at the tooth or gum line. Regardless, it is not normal for your gums to bleed without an obvious reason, so seek help right when this starts.
If you forgot to put on a helmet during your game of street hockey and you’re experiencing the consequences, don’t fear. A lost tooth might actually be able to be replaced by acting quickly.
First things first: do not touch the tooth’s root — only handle the crown. Then, try to put the tooth back in the socket. If it doesn’t go all the way in, bite down slowly on gauze to keep it in place until you can see a dentist.
If you can’t put the tooth in your socket, hold it immediately in between your cheek and gum or put it in a glass of cold milk. This preserves the tooth and keeps it alive for some time while you make your way to the dentist or emergency room.
The cost of care for an emergency predicament is entirely dependent on the type of procedure you need. Some situations might require something as simple as a dental filling, which might only run a price tag of $100-200. But if you need something like a root canal, this can cost you as much as $1,200 per tooth.
We hope you never need to deal with a dental emergency, but if you do, the last thing you should need to worry about is the price. Here are some ways you can afford emergency dental care without breaking the bank.
Some dentists offer savings plans, which are basically like insurance, except instead of paying a provider, you pay a dentist directly. These are monthly fees, just like insurance, in exchange for discounted services.
While the discounts are less than what insurance would cover, and you can typically only go to a single dentist within the network, this is a great option if you have a local dentist you love. This can allow you to get emergency care for less than the original out-of-pocket cost.
There might be a public dental clinic in your area that offers both routine care as well as emergency dental care for individuals with low incomes. Typically, these clinics charge for services on a sliding scale based on how much you can afford to pay.
These clinics offer x-rays, fillings, root canals, crowns, and many offer emergency treatments. These are worth checking out if you have a low income and do not have dental insurance.
Emergency dental care is something we try to avoid as much as we can, but when the inevitable strikes, know where to look so you’re not overpaying for services. If you don’t have insurance, try using a public dental clinic or ask your provider about a dental savings plan to make your services more affordable.
Sources:
Toothache: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention | Cleveland Clinic
Bleeding gums | MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
