It’s simply impossible to predict when you might sustain a dental injury – and truthfully, these
situations have a knack for occurring at the most inconvenient times! In any case, if you or a loved one is dealing
with a dental emergency in Holden, you can count on Dr. Hu and our team to be ready to step in and help. To learn
more about our emergency dentistry services, continue reading below; if you’re in need of urgent care,
don’t wait to call our office!
Why Choose Holden Dental Care for Emergency Dentistry?
Dental-Insurance Plans Accepted
Same-Day Emergency Appointments
40+ Years of Serving the Community
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
There isn’t one particular treatment that’s universally used for addressing dental emergencies
– it will always depend on the nature of the emergency and its severity. With that in mind, the very first
thing you should do as soon as you’ve discovered your smile is hurt is call our office. Once you’ve
spoken to one of our team members, we’ll let you know when you need to come in for care, even if
it’s on the very same day! Don’t simply wait around for things to get better; dental emergencies do
not typically resolve on their own.
Once you’re here, we’ll work quickly to address your dental pain and determine the cause of the
issue. Depending on your situation, we might be able to treat your smile then and there, or we might ask you to
return for a follow-up visit. Either way, we’ll prioritize treating your discomfort and putting any
anxiety or doubts you have to rest.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
It’s possible that your dental emergency might not be causing you any outright pain – but that
doesn’t mean it isn’t serious! We can treat a wide range of dental emergencies here in our office;
feel free to view the icons below to learn a little more about how we’re able to help with certain
scenarios.
All too often, patients hesitate to schedule an appointment due to concerns about the cost. To help prevent that from happening, our team at Holden Dental Care provides upfront estimates of the cost and offers several financial solutions, including our Simply Savings Plan. So, if you have any questions about the price, don’t hesitate to give us a call! You can also read on to learn more, starting with why there isn’t a flat fee for emergency dentistry.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
The answer is simple: no two situations are exactly the same! In order to provide you with an accurate estimate of the price, we need to complete a comprehensive oral exam. In the process, we will determine the type of dental injury that’s present, how severe the damage is, and which treatment (or combination of treatments) is needed to restore the health and beauty of your smile.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Fortunately, many dental insurance providers cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of essential restorative care. Not only that, but some plans include additional benefits, like a covered emergency exam each year. So, it pays to be familiar with your coverage! If you need any help understanding or utilizing your benefits, you’re more than welcome to provide us with your membership information as well. That way, we can help you maximize your coverage and lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
You can also make the cost of emergency dental care more affordable by:
Joining Our Simply Savings Plan – The adult plan comes with two regular cleanings, routine X-rays, one emergency exam, and several other cost-saving benefits.
Signing Up for Flexible Financing – Would you prefer to pay for your treatment in smaller, more manageable chunks that fit comfortably in your budget? With CareCredit, you can!
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
If you want to avoid a painful dental injury that requires same-day care from your emergency dentist in Holden, it’s crucial that you take good care of your smile. That starts with everyday habits, like brushing your teeth, and extends to scheduling a dental exam every six months. It’s also important to avoid doing anything that could lead to a serious chip or crack, like wearing a mouthguard during sports and exercising caution with crunchy foods.
Important reminder: If you start to notice something unusual, like persistent sensitivity, don’t wait – call us ASAP to schedule an exam. That way, we can pinpoint and treat the root of the problem before it has a chance to worsen.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Although our team at Holden Dental Care aims to always be just a phone call away when our patients need us, we also know how painful and stressful dental emergencies can be. That’s why we also want to help you protect your smile from harm. In fact, we’re dedicating this next section to covering how you can reduce your risk of winding up at our office with a serious chip, crack, or fracture.
Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months
Patients often assume that preventive care begins and ends with brushing their teeth. That’s not the case! In fact, your oral hygiene regimen is ultimately incomplete if you don’t come to our office every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning. These visits play a crucial role in catching common dental problems early on, like tooth decay, as well as removing plaque and tartar that your toothbrush and floss have left behind.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Maintaining a solid oral hygiene regimen is crucial when it comes to reducing your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other common dental problems. So, do your best to brush for two full minutes each morning and evening, floss at least once a day, and rinse with mouthwash regularly. It’s also important that you clean your tongue, replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every quarter, and rinse with mouthwash for a full 30-60 seconds.
Exercise Caution with Crunchy Foods
Another great way to reduce your chances of needing to schedule a same-day visit with one of our emergency dentists in your area is by exercising caution with hard pretzels, raw almonds, and other extremely crunchy foods. It’s also important to fill your plate with nutrient-dense foods that benefit your oral and overall health, like plain yogurt, cooked carrots, and scrambled eggs.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Another common misconception that patients have is that they only need to wear a mouthguard if they participate in contact sports. In reality, it’s important to wear one even if you ride your bike, play tennis, skateboard, or lift weights. That way, your teeth are protected from chronic clenching, a bad fall, and other immense forces.
Tip: If you don’t have a mouthguard already, schedule an appointment with our team at Holden Dental Care so we can have a custom one made for you. In addition to ensuring that it’s the appropriate thickness for the sport that you play, we will make sure that it fits comfortably so you’ll actually want to wear it!
Break Bad Habits, Like Smoking
Last, but definitely not least, you should break bad habits, like smoking, chewing on ice cubes, and biting your nails. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools to open things, even something as seemingly harmless as plastic wrapping. Instead, take the time to find and use the right tool, like scissors, a bottle cap opener, or nail clippers.