Emergency Dentist – York, PA
Expert Smile Care Right When You Need It
When dealing with a hurting, broken, or knocked-out tooth, you don’t want to waste time sitting in the waiting area of your local emergency room. Instead, you should contact Aesthetic Dental Arts so that our York emergency dentist and team can repair your smile right away. Whether you call us when we’re open, after we’ve closed for the day, or even on the weekend, we’ll do everything we can to get your smile cared for that same day!
Why Choose Aesthetic Dental Arts for Emergency Dentistry?
- Weekend & After-Hours Emergency Dental Appointments
- We See Patients of All Ages
- Calming Dental Sedation Available
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
No matter the dental problem, your first step should always be to call our dental practice as soon as you can. Here’s how we’ll handle your situation:
Schedule a same
day visit
While we have you on the phone, one of our team members will ask you about your specific symptoms and determine how quickly you need to come in. We can also give basic first-aid advice for minimizing your discomfort in the meantime.
Complete an
emergency exam
Once you arrive at our dental office, Dr. Singh will see you for a detailed exam right away. As he learns about the source and extent of the problem, he’ll relieve any immediate pain you might be experiencing.
Review your
treatment options
Dr. Singh will share what he found during his exam and recommend one or more treatments designed to target the root of the issue.
Begin repairing
your smile
Thanks to Dr. Singh’s expertise, he’s able to provide an array of dental services in-house to get your smile back in great shape. You’ll be enjoying a happy, healthy grin again before you know it!
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
It can be hard to determine whether you have a “real” dental emergency, as these situations come in countless varieties. If you notice any type of discomfort or damage, contact our team sooner rather than later. Below are some examples of common dental emergencies that need urgent attention.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Depending on the specific dental emergency, the price of your care can vary. After all, patients visit us for all sorts of reasons – from persistent toothaches to knocked-out teeth! One thing is certain, though; waiting too long for emergency dental care can worsen the problem, causing you to need expensive treatments. Seeing our team right away can benefit your wallet in addition to your smile!
Remember, Every Dental Emergency is Different
We mentioned in the first section that there isn’t a flat fee for emergency dental care because no two situations are exactly the same. For instance, treating severe gum disease is different than treating a loose restoration. It’s also possible for the same dental injuries to require two different treatments. For example, treating a toothache by prescribing a round of antibiotics will cost less than doing so with an advanced procedure like root canal treatment. With all of that said, you can have peace of mind knowing that we will always be transparent about the cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In addition to covering upwards of 100% of essential preventive care, dental insurance providers often cover up to 80% of basic restorative care and up to 50% of major restorative care. Plus, some plans include additional benefits, like one emergency exam a year. So, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the fine print on your plan to see what is and isn’t covered. If you need any help, we’re in-network with Delta Dental, Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and several other providers. As a result, we can help you navigate the ins and outs of your benefits in a stress-free way!
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you’re a part of the roughly 50% of Americans who don’t have dental insurance, you’ll be happy to know that we also offer periodic specials to help you save. Plus, we welcome flexible financing with CareCredit! Over the years, this trusted third-party financier has helped millions of patients with their budget-friendly payment plans. If you’re interested in learning more about this affordable payment option or you need help signing up, simply let our York dental team know.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While wearing a mouthguard can protect your teeth from getting knocked out, coming in for a checkup and cleaning twice a year can reduce your chances of needing root canal treatment. In other words, many dental emergencies are completely preventable. That means that implementing good dental care habits like these won’t just save you pain and time; they’ll save you money!
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
One easy way to save money on emergency dental care is to avoid it in the first place! While avoiding accidents isn’t always feasible, you can lessen your risk by adopting a few healthy habits. Here are a few our York dental team recommends:
Keeping Your Six-Month Dental Checkups
Patients sometimes forget just how important their biannual dental checkups and teeth cleanings are. The reality is that these visits aren’t optional because they play an important role in both catching oral health problems in the early stages and preventing them from developing in the first place. Plus, our York dental team looks for non-dental issues as well, like oral cancer, so these periodic visits benefit your overall well-being too!
Brushing and Flossing Every Day
Of course, it’s imperative that you take care of your teeth between visits as well. First, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush for a full two minutes each morning and evening. Second, use floss to gently and thoroughly clean between each of your teeth. Third, rinse with an antimicrobial mouthwash for 30-60 seconds each evening. Together, these steps of your oral hygiene regimen will dramatically reduce your chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and the like.
Stick to a Nutritious Diet
At first, it may not seem like there is much of a correlation between what you eat and the state of your oral health. But the two impact one another! For example, if you consume foods and drinks that are loaded with added sugar in excess, then there’s a good chance that you’ll develop a cavity or two. Similarly, if you aren’t careful when eating crunchy, hard, and sticky items, you could wind up with a cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged tooth. So, do your best to stick to smile-friendly foods as often as possible, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
Wearing a Nightguard/Mouthguard
When you’re stressed, do you find yourself clenching your teeth? When you wake up in the morning, do your teeth and jaw feel sore? If so, you may need a nightguard to protect your teeth from premature wear and tear. Patients who participate in physical activities like skateboarding, biking, and weightlifting are also encouraged to wear a mouthguard to avoid painful dental injuries, including noticeable chips and considerable cracks.
Not Using Your Teeth to Open Packaging
Be honest… Have you ever had a hard time opening something and used your teeth instead? It’s a habit many patients pick up over the years, but it’s important to remember that doing so can seriously damage your teeth. That’s why we recommend not using your teeth as tools, including when it comes to biting your nails, removing bottle caps, and chewing on ice cubes.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Should I Go to the Hospital for Dental Emergencies?
Hospitals provide lifesaving treatments, but they aren’t equipped to handle dental emergencies. Unless you’re having a medical emergency, it’s best to see a dentist. Although they can prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics, hospitals can’t treat the underlying issue. An emergency dentist in York can stop your pain and provide the quick treatment you need.
How Should I Sleep with a Toothache?
If it seems like your toothache gets worse at night, you're not imagining things. There are fewer distractions when you're laying down at night, which can cause you to focus on your pain. You don't have to spend the night tossing and turning. Avoid any hot, cold, hard, or crunchy foods before going to bed. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize your discomfort. Rinsing your mouth with salt water will reduce pain and inflammation while also killing bacteria. Sleep with your pillow elevated to prevent blood from pooling in your head. This will help you avoid throbbing pain. Even if your toothache goes away in the morning, it's important to see an emergency dentist because it is a symptom of a larger underlying problem, like an infection.
Do I Need to See a Dentist If My Chipped Tooth Doesn’t Hurt?
A chipped tooth is a dental emergency in York, even if it doesn't hurt. Your tooth will not grow back, leaving it vulnerable to bacteria, sensitivity, and additional damage with no treatment. Even if the chip is superficial, it's important to have it evaluated by a dentist. Minor breaks can be treated with a composite resin while more significant chips may require a veneer or a dental crown. Your dentist will determine the best treatment to preserve your tooth while restoring your beautiful smile.
Will a Toothache Go Away with No Treatment?
You should never try to wait out the pain or you might lose your tooth. A toothache is a sign of an underlying issue, like a failing filling, a fracture, or an infection. If your pain suddenly disappears, it may mean that your tooth has died and it will need to be extracted. You can save yourself a lot of hassle and expenses down the road by having the issue addressed before it's too late.
Is a Broken Denture a Dental Emergency?
A broken denture is a dental emergency because you can't go without any teeth. Stop wearing your denture to avoid oral injuries and causing additional damage. Never use glue or over-the-counter repair kits. Instead, leave the mending to professionals. We will get you into the office to provide the necessary repair or replacement to restore your beautiful smile.
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