By definition, dental emergencies aren’t exactly convenient or timely events – our Windermere Dentistry team understands this well, and we also understand how frightening severe dental injuries and oral pain can be in the moment. That’s why we urge you to contact our office right away for the supportive and highly skilled emergency assistance you need most during this difficult time. Our office is now offering Friday hours for emergencies when we are needed. Our dentists will make every effort to welcome you in for an appointment as soon as possible, and first-aid assistance can be provided over the phone as well if you’re unable to reach your emergency dentist in Windermere.
Why Choose Windermere Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
Same-Day Emergency Appointments Available
Accurate Diagnoses with Advanced Imaging Technology
We Accept Dental Insurance & Offer Financing
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
The first step you should take is to call our office. Our team does our best to fit emergency patients in our schedule the same day, allowing you to breathe easy knowing that you won’t have to sit in discomfort for long. When you arrive, we’ll take any necessary X-rays and one of our dentists will examine your mouth and diagnose the issue at-hand. We’ll then develop a treatment plan to restore your smile’s health and structure.
In some cases, we may be able to treat you the same day you come in, but in others, our team will give you any medications or temporary treatment you need to get you comfortable and schedule your procedure for the near future.
Common Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies tend to come in one of two varieties: injuries that happen all of a sudden, or infections that slowly develop over time. At Windermere Dentistry, we are more than prepared to treat both. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you handle your emergencies until you can reach our office.
There isn’t a set price for treating a dental emergency, since these situations come in all shapes and sizes. Some patients only require a small filling or a prescription of antibiotics to treat their problem, while others will need to have one or even several teeth extracted and replaced. Before we go through with any treatment, we’ll discuss all of your options with you so that you’ll know exactly what to expect. We’ll try to get you out of pain as soon as possible so you can make any decisions you need to with a clear head.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Even though dental emergencies are not always preventable, you can decrease their chances of happening if you stick to the following steps:
Wear a custom mouthguard during sports games, practices, and even solo activities like cycling and jogging.
Avoid chewing on extremely hard objects like ice, your fingernails, nuts, pencils, and hard candies.
Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages. Grab the scissors instead.
Brush and floss your teeth every day to keep bacteria that cause toothaches at bay.
Attend regular checkups and cleanings at Windermere Dentistry. At these appointments, we can detect the signs of a dental emergency before it even happens!
Emergency Dentistry FAQs
Should I go to the ER if I have a dental emergency?
In most cases, you’re actually better off visiting our office instead of the emergency room. This is because most ER doctors don’t have the training necessary to treat specific dental problems. At best, they might prescribe a painkiller or an antibiotic, but they’ll usually end up referring you to a dentist anyway. Save yourself time and money by heading to our office instead.
However, if your emergency is severe enough to be life-threatening, such as in the following situations, go to the ER right away:
Profuse bleeding that does not stop after 15 minutes
A fractured or broken jawbone
Swelling or fever that does not go down
How can I alleviate dental pain?
Everyone has a different level of pain tolerance, so some people may need help relieving their discomfort before their emergency appointment. Most people find relief by taking an over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Just be sure that if you take aspirin, do not place it directly on the sore area. Doing so could irritate your gums and worsen your pain.
Holding an ice pack to the area can not only reduce pain, but bring down swelling as well. It’s worth noting that just because you’re able to minimize your pain at home doesn’t mean you should put off your appointment. Your dentist in Windermere can examine your mouth and address the root cause of your pain to keep it from flaring up again in the future.
Will my dental insurance cover emergencies?
Most dental insurance companies are aware that accidents happen and will cover one emergency visit a year. However, this depends on the extent of the damage as well as what kind of restorative treatment you’ll need. Our friendly team will gladly look over your policy and help you maximize any benefits you may have available.
How can I be prepared for future dental emergencies?
It helps to be prepared by creating a dental emergency kit and storing it in your bathroom, your car, or even your desk at work. Include the following items:
Small bottle of ibuprofen
Nitrile gloves (in case someone is allergic to latex)
