No one ever expects that they will need to make an emergency dental visit, but if they are experiencing severe pain, the last thing they want to do is waste time searching for “emergency dentist near me” online. To make sure that never happens to you, save New Haven Dental Group’s number in your phone right now. We are ready and willing to jump into action to help emergency patients. It is very likely that we will even be able to see you on the same day you call. For quality emergency dentistry in Hamden when you need it most, do not hesitate to call New Haven Dental Group!
A dental emergency can be a frightening and painful situation. However, it is important that you not let your circumstances cause you to panic. Keep your cool and take prompt action by following these steps:
Whether your dental emergency is due to an accident that happened in the blink of an eye or an infection that developed over the course of months, the best thing to do is seek out professional care as soon as you know something is wrong. Our team will focus on relieving your pain and repairing your oral health before the problem has the chance to worsen. Even if you are unsure whether your situation requires urgent dental care, we encourage you to call us anyway just in case. Regardless of your situation, we will help you determine what steps you need to take next in order to protect your smile and minimize your pain. Below, you will find important information on handling some of the most common dental emergencies and how we typically treat them.
It is easy to see from this page that there are many different types of urgent oral health situations, and because of this, there is no fixed price for emergency dentistry in Hamden. One patient might simply need a prescription to feel better, whereas another may require root canal therapy and a crown. When you visit us for urgent care, we will quickly go over your treatment options and their prices so you will know exactly how your care will affect your budget. We will also help you explore your payment options, including insurance and financing.
Just like every patient is unique, so is every dental emergency. One patient might need something simple, like a filling or prescription mouthwash. Another might require an extraction or another type of oral surgery. Sedation needs and the extent of procedures can also vary from patient to patient. When you come in for your consultation, we will quickly evaluate the situation and recommend a treatment. If more than one procedure might be suitable for you, we will help you compare the advantages, disadvantages, and cost of each option. Feel free to ask questions — we want all of our patients to be well-informed about their dental care.
It is common for insurance policies to cover one emergency exam each year. Beyond the exam, your policy is also likely to cover at least a portion of your treatment (50 – 80%, depending on your coverage and the particular procedure that we recommend for you). Our team is in-network with several major insurance carriers, and we will do all we can to help you maximize your benefits.
As your emergency dentist in Hamden, we do more than just help you with insurance. We offer other provisions that can make your care more affordable:
Some dental emergencies arise as the result of an inevitable accident. Most, though, occur after a longstanding dental problem suddenly starts to cause significant pain. Addressing such problems early on can save you quite a bit of money. For example, a small cavity can usually be treated with a filling, which is relatively inexpensive. If the decay worsens, you might require root canal therapy and a crown, saddling you with a bill that amounts to thousands of dollars.
Also, keep in mind that insurance usually covers preventive care at 100%. It is possible that for nothing out of pocket, you could attend regular cleanings and checkups. These appointments allow us to identify most dental problems well before they become painful. We can also coach you on proper oral care so you can prevent many issues altogether.
The team at New Haven Dental Group is always ready to help you should you face a dental emergency. However, we are sure that you would like to prevent such a situation from occurring in the first place rather than treating once it has occurred! By taking a few simple precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk of harm to your teeth and gums and thereby spare yourself from the pain, stress, and monetary cost of an oral health crisis. What precautions should you take? We have listed a few in the sections below.
In most cases, toothaches are entirely preventable if you stick to good oral health habits. Such habits include brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day. It is also vital that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup. At these routine appointments, your dentist will look for early signs of dental problems and help you prevent such issues from progressing to the point where they could cause a dental emergency. A professional cleaning will remove tartar, the hardened form of plaque, from your teeth.
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and it is designed to stand up to the stress of eating a wide variety of foods. However, it is far from invincible. In fact, it is somewhat brittle and can break or chip if it is exposed to too much force. That is why it is important for you to avoid biting down on anything that might damage your teeth. Ice, fingernails, jawbreaker candies, popcorn kernels, pens, and pencils are just a few of the items that you should avoid biting down on.
Do you love to play sports? Whether you play in leagues or just hit the court or field for recreation, it is important that your teeth have proper protection. You can purchase a mouthguard at pretty much any sporting goods store, but it might provide mediocre protection at best. It may also be quite uncomfortable. A better option is to purchase a custom mouthguard from New Haven Dental Group. Not only will a custom mouthguard reduce the risk of injury to your mouth, but it could also lower your risk of concussion.
Do you tend to grind your teeth at night? If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw, you may need to ask your dentist about getting a nightguard for bruxism to prevent your teeth from damaging one another while you sleep.
It can be tempting to use your teeth as a tool to tear open that bag of snacks or the package that just arrived on your doorstep. Resist the temptation! Using your teeth to open any sort of container exposes them to a lot of force and may cause serious harm. Carrying a small multi-tool with you may be the key to helping you resist the tendency to use your teeth in lieu of scissors or a knife.
Our practice is ready to serve as your emergency dentist in Hamden. As part of our duty to help you protect your oral health, we are happy to provide information to assist you as you deal with various situations. Below, you will find the answers to some commonly asked questions about urgent dental problems. If you do not see the information you were hoping for, give us a call. We will be happy to speak with you!
Teeth are unable to heal themselves. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that your toothache will disappear without professional treatment. However, there are some exceptions. For example, a tooth might hurt because a structure near it, like the gums or sinuses, is experiencing a problem. As the issue heals, the toothache may subside. Another reason for a toothache that suddenly vanishes is a dead nerve. When then nerve inside the tooth is no longer functioning, it cannot send pain signals to your brain. That is not a good thing — the infection that caused the original toothache may still be present, meaning that it could continue to spread and cause you more pain later on. Really, any time you have a toothache, you should contact your dentist as soon as possible.
Tooth pain can be incredibly powerful, making it difficult to sleep. One way to reduce your discomfort is by sleeping with your head slightly elevated, which will reduce blood flow to the tooth. You can also take pain medications. Over the counter anti-inflammatories and oral analgesics may be helpful. Additionally, avoiding foods that are extremely hot or cold, as well as acidic foods — particularly in the hours right before you go to bed — can be helpful. A cold compress may provide a degree of relief because it can calm swelling and inflammation.
Sadly, most hospital ERs do not have the equipment or training to properly handle a dental emergency in Hamden. However, there are some situations in which the ER should be the first place you head to, including if you are experiencing any life-threatening symptoms, have a broken/dislocated jaw, or are bleeding uncontrollably. Later, you can come to our practice for follow-up care. In virtually all other situations that relate to oral health, it would be best to visit your dentist first.
Keeping the following items on-hand can equip you to deal with dental emergencies as efficiently as possible:
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