Emergency Dentist Columbia, MD
Count on Our Team for Timely Emergency Dental Care
At Dental Designs of Maryland - Columbia, MD, we take our commitment to our patients’ oral and overall wellbeing seriously, which is why we’re proud to offer fast emergency dentistry in Columbia. Whether you have a painful toothache that’s impacting your ability to get through your day, or you accidentally chipped a tooth, call us as soon as possible. We’re happy to provide you with first aid guidance over the phone and see you the same day for an examination.
Why Choose Dental Designs of Maryland - Columbia, MD for Emergency Dentistry?
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance
- Caring & Experienced Team of Dentists
- Same-Day CEREC Dental Restorations
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
If you’re ever experiencing dental pain or out-of-the-ordinary symptoms, the first step you should take is to call our Columbia dental office. We’ll offer you first aid guidance over the phone and schedule a same-day examination for you if you’re experiencing discomfort.
When you arrive to our office, our team will take any necessary diagnostic images of your mouth and one of our experienced emergency dentists in Columbia will conduct a thorough investigation of the area of your mouth that’s causing you issues. Once we’ve completed the examination part of the process, we’ll outline our recommended treatment plan with you and explain our findings. If you have any questions, our team is happy to answer them before moving on to your procedure!
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
If you’re unsure whether you require emergency dentistry, we have compiled a list of some of the most common situations we treat below. However, we always recommend giving us a call regardless of your situation if you’re experiencing pain or out-of-the-ordinary oral symptoms.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Oftentimes, patients are worried about two things when it comes to emergency dentistry: pain and price. If that’s the case for you, you’ll be happy to hear that we will alleviate any discomfort you’re experiencing once you arrive at our office, and we will provide you with a price estimate following the exam. If you want to learn more about the cost in the meantime, however, you can read on.
Every Dental Emergency is Different – Here’s Why
The reason we can’t provide you with a cost estimate online is simple: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment! In order to determine the care you need, we need to complete a comprehensive oral exam, pinpoint the root of the problem, and assess how severe the damage is. Only then can we discuss the different services we offer, help you decide which one is ideal for you, and share the price. We’ll also discuss the different financial solutions that are available so you can get the restorative dentistry that you need without stressing about the cost.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Dental insurance providers often cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. With that said, there are sometimes waiting periods, yearly deductibles, and other restrictions that need to be considered. So, it’s important to read through the fine print on your plan. You can also provide us with your membership information! Since we welcome Aetna, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, and several others, we can help you maximize any available benefits that you have.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
What if you don’t have dental insurance at the moment? If that’s the case, you should consider:
- Joining Our Dental Wellness Plan – The adult plan comes with several perks, including two professional dental cleanings, one emergency exam, and a 20% discount on most non-cosmetic dental procedures.
- Signing Up for Flexible Financing – Would paying for the entire cost of your care put a strain on your budget? If so, consider signing up for a flexible payment plan with Cherry! That way, you can break up the price into smaller, monthly chunks.
How Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
It’s important to remember that chips, cracks, and other common dental damage can often be prevented. So, if you want to reduce your risk of needing emergency dentistry, you should prioritize healthy habits! A few examples include wearing a nightguard if you clench your teeth while you sleep, brushing your teeth for two full minutes each morning and evening, and exercising caution with crunchy foods, like raw almonds.
Reminder: If you suspect that something is wrong because you’re dealing with dull, persistent discomfort, a sharp, stabbing pain, or anything else unusual, schedule an exam at our office right away. This is crucial because, the more time that passes, the longer the root of the problem has to progress.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Although our team at Dental Designs of Maryland aims to only be a phone call away when you need us, we also know how stressful dental emergencies can be to handle. For that reason, we also want to help you protect your smile. That’s why we’re covering a few steps you can take to prevent dental emergencies in Columbia.
Schedule a Dental Visit Twice a Year
All too often, patients assume that dental visits are only necessary if something is wrong. That’s not the case! In fact, routine appointments ensure that plaque and tartar are removed from your teeth. Plus, the biannual exams allow us to periodically screen for oral cancer, tooth decay, damaged restorations, and other common health conditions. So, it’s extremely important that you make your six-month appointments a priority.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Maintaining a solid oral hygiene regimen is also crucial. That begins with using a soft-bristle toothbrush and a toothpaste with fluoride to brush your teeth each morning and evening (and for two full minutes each time). You should also floss, rinse with mouthwash, and clean your tongue daily. Lastly, make sure to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every quarter so you have new, clean bristles instead of dirty, frayed ones.
Limit Your Intake of Added Sugar
Although delicious, potato chips, ice cream, and chocolate chip cookies can quickly lead to cavities if consumed in excess. That’s why it’s so important to limit your intake of sugary and starchy snacks. Instead, you should focus on filling your plate with nutrient-dense foods, like seasonal fruits and vegetables. This will ensure that your body has the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Tip: Drink lots of water throughout the day, too! Not only will this help you stay hydrated, but it will also prevent food residue from lingering on your teeth.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Whether you prefer starting your morning with a jog, playing pickleball with your partner, or taking a workout class with your friends, it’s important to protect your smile when you’re active. If you don’t have a mouthguard already, then you should schedule an appointment with our Columbia dental team. That way, we can learn more about the sport you participate in, take the necessary impressions of your teeth, and have a custom mouthguard made.
Break Harmful Habits
Of course, preventing common dental injuries is just as much about what NOT to do. We advise against smoking, biting your nails, chewing on ice cubes, and putting the back of your pen/pencil in your mouth. You also shouldn’t use your teeth as tools – whether it’s to tear open plastic wrapping or remove a bottle cap. After all, habits like these may seem harmless, but they dramatically increase the risk of a tooth chipping or cracking.
Dental Emergency FAQs
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
A toothache can happen for a variety of reasons and probably isn’t a dental emergency if it goes away on its own after about a day. However, throbbing, severe tooth pain is probably the result of an advanced dental infection that will eventually cause tooth loss if left untreated. This pain is usually caused by the inner structures of the tooth being exposed to air, bacteria, and the oral environment due to a large crack or cavity, and a root canal may be the best way to resolve this problem.
In some cases, persistent tooth pain is caused by chronic grinding or clenching of the teeth. We can usually address this problem at our Columbia office by providing the patient with a customized nightguard designed to protect their smile from damage when they sleep.
How should I sleep with tooth pain?
A toothache can make it quite difficult to fall asleep, but there are a few effective home remedies that can help reduce your discomfort so you can get some shuteye. These include:
- Propping your head up: Sleeping with your head in an elevated position can reduce the blood pressure in your tooth as well as the discomfort it causes. Try raising your head with pillows or cushions or by sleeping in a recliner.
- Aromatic oils: While this hasn’t been medically verified, many patients report it is easier for them to fall asleep if they use essential oils such as lavender.
- Avoiding foods and beverages that are hot, cold, acidic, sweet, chewy, or crunchy before bed.
- Applying a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication.
Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?
A dental abscess is a small, severely painful bump in the gum tissue filled with pus, and it is the result of an advanced oral infection that requires professional treatment from our Columbia office. Never attempt to pop a dental abscess on your own since it can expose the infected area to the oral environment and make it harder for the tissue to heal. A dental abscess is a dental emergency that requires immediate medical attention from an oral health professional, and neglecting to have it treated can lead to worsening pain, tooth loss, and dangerous secondary infections like sepsis.
How do I know if my toothache is an infection?
Sore or throbbing tooth pain is probably caused by an infection. Please contact our office in Columbia if you develop symptoms like:
- A persistent bitter taste in your mouth
- Chronic bad breath
- Severe dental sensitivity
- Loose permanent teeth
- Red or swollen gums
- A warm, soft, fluid-filled bump in the tissue supporting a dental root
During your visit, our dentist will take X-rays to determine the nature of the problem and the best way to treat it.
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