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AppointmentEmergency Dentistry – Norton Shores, MI
Need Care Immediately? Call Our Dental Experts
Every year, millions of people suffer from toothaches, broken teeth, and other dental issues that require immediate attention. You may not think these kinds of problems can happen to you, but they absolutely can – and you need to be prepared. Make sure you have the number for Laketown Family Dental on hand at all times, so you can call us as soon as you or a loved one is in need of emergency dentistry in Norton Shores, MI; we’ll make time for you right away.
Why Choose Laketown Family Dental for Emergency Dentistry?
- Most Procedures Offered In-House
- Friendly, Experienced Dental Team
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Schedule a same-day appointment. Time is of the essence in any emergency situation, which means you need to see us right away to restore your oral health. Over the phone, a team member will provide first-aid instructions to help you handle the situation while you wait for your appointment.
- Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, we’ll thoroughly examine your mouth to identify the source and extent of your emergency. Our team will also try to alleviate any urgent pain you may be in.
- Review your treatment options. After your exam, we’ll explain our findings and discuss your treatment options. We’ll work with you to create a custom treatment plan that suits you best.
- Get the care you need. Once we have agreed on a treatment plan, we’ll get to work right away to repair your smile and get it back on the right track. If you’re particularly nervous or uncomfortable, we offer sedation dentistry to help you relax during your appointment.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
What should you do in the event of a dental emergency? There are many ways to answer that question depending on the circumstances, but one thing you should always do is call us immediately so we can give you first-aid advice and schedule an appointment. When you call, please describe all of your symptoms in as much detail as possible so that we can give you the best advice. In the meantime, here’s how to deal with some of the more likely dental issues.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
You shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of treatment while you’re suffering from severe dental pain. Rest assured, helping you find relief is our number one priority. Before providing the restorative or cosmetic treatments you need, we will also take the time to explain the costs involved so that you understand what you can expect. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic, starting with the factors that play a role in the final price.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
As we mentioned above, the cost of emergency dentistry in Norton Shores varies. In order to provide you with a price estimate, we need to complete a comprehensive oral exam, pinpoint the root of the problem, and determine how severe the damage is. Then, we can discuss your treatment options, create your custom treatment plan, and discuss the different financial solutions that are available.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Do you have dental insurance? If so, your provider may cover between 50% and 80% of the cost of the restorative care you need. That said, plans vary from patient to patient, and there are often waiting periods, annual maximums, and other red tape that need to be considered. That’s why we recommend providing us with your membership information when you call to schedule your appointment. Since we work with a long list of providers, we can help you understand and utilize your benefits.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, that’s okay – other payment options will be thoroughly discussed to lighten your financial burden as much as possible. For example, you can break up the cost into smaller, more manageable chunks with Cherry! That way, you don’t have to pay for the entire price of your treatment plan in one lump sum.
How Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money
It’s important to remember that many common dental injuries are largely preventable with the right best practices in place, like brushing your teeth twice a day and wearing a mouthguard while playing sports. It’s also crucial that you don’t take the “wait and see” approach if you start to notice anything unusual, like pain when biting down or blood when you floss. Instead, contact us right away to schedule an emergency visit. That way, we can pinpoint and treat the root of the problem before it progresses any further.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
Typically, treatments to address existing dental issues are more costly and complex than preventive services that help strengthen your teeth and gums. That means investing in routine maintenance can not only help you avoid potential emergencies but also save you money.
Our Norton Shores team reserves time for same-day visits to address your urgent issue, but there are several steps you can take to help prevent it from happening in the first place. Continue reading to learn more about things you can do to build and maintain a happy, healthy smile and avoid potential emergencies!
Schedule Routine Preventive Appointments
Did you know that although the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist twice annually for a standard checkup and cleaning, only an estimated half of American adults comply? You might think your mouth is perfectly healthy if you don’t see immediate issues, but it’s possible to develop hidden concerns, like cavities or gum disease, in places that are difficult to see or clean on your own at home.
Scheduling an appointment with our team every six months allows us to monitor your dental condition and catch and treat any areas of concern before they worsen.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Although dental checkups and cleanings are essential to avoiding potential problems, you must also clean your mouth consistently at home. If you don’t already have a twice-daily dental hygiene routine in place, now’s the perfect time to implement one!
Brushing and flossing twice daily regularly removes plaque and bacteria that contribute to oral issues, such as tooth decay, periodontal problems, or injuries, which can progress into more serious concerns that require an emergency visit to address.
Eat Nutritious Foods
Sugary foods attract unwanted germs that can hide in the pockets of your gums and produce enamel-eroding acids that cause cavities, gum disease, and other issues. You can therefore help protect your teeth by reducing your consumption of overly sweet or acidic foods and filling your plate with more wholesome options instead.
For example, dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt have calcium to build strong teeth and bones, and many citrus fruits and leafy greens are high in vitamin C to support your connective tissues.
Protect Your Teeth
Athletes and others who participate in team sports or close-contact activities are prone to sustaining injuries that can break, destabilize, or even dislodge one or more of their teeth. Our team is happy to provide a custom-fitted oral appliance, such as a mouthguard, to safeguard your smile from the force of any sustained blows.
Avoid Using Your Teeth As Tools
You’re not alone if you’ve ever pried open a plastic package or opened a box or letter with your teeth, but using them as tools in this capacity can chip, crack, or break them. You can avoid an emergency dental visit by taking a few moments to locate a more appropriate instrument for the job at hand, such as a letter opener or pair of scissors.
Root Canal Therapy
The phrase “root canal” seems to scare people, but the procedure is nothing to worry about; it’s more likely to stop pain than cause it. Simply put, when a tooth is infected, the diseased tissue beneath the enamel has to be removed before the bacteria spreads beyond the roots. The inside of the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and detoxified before being refilled and resealed. This procedure can help save a tooth that might otherwise need to be removed.
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes, a tooth needs to be removed, such as when there’s a cavity that can’t be repaired with a filling or crown, or when gum disease has weakened the bone supporting the tooth to the point where it will be lost anyway. A tooth extraction is never our first choice for a treatment solution, but when one is needed, we’ll make the procedure as gentle as possible while ensuring that there are no unnecessary complications.
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