Emergency Dentist Wayne

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

There are many oral health problems that are considered a dental emergency. Whether you’ve injured your jaw playing sports, have a tooth infection or abscess, or you’re experiencing throbbing pain that lasts longer than 24 hours, urgent oral health situations can arise at any time and for a variety of reasons. Even a broken denture or unexplained jaw soreness should be evaluated urgently, so don’t hesitate to reach out to Main Line Dental Group if you are experiencing any pain. Our team can offer guidance to help ease any discomfort until you can be seen, and we are proud to offer same-day, after-hours, and weekend appointments if necessary.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

While your dental insurance is designed to provide preventive care, many policies offer some coverage for dental treatments. The exact amount of coverage and the specific procedures covered will vary depending on your individual plan. For more information, please contact your insurance company directly, or our office team will be happy to assist you by confirming your coverage and maximizing your benefits.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

In addition to accepting a variety of dental insurance plans, Main Line Dental Group is proud to accept flexible financing through CareCredit. This low-to-no interest financing can help make paying for your dental emergency care easier by breaking your total cost into budget-friendly payments, so you don’t have to worry about “saving up” for urgent treatment.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Visiting your dentist twice a year for your regular, biannual exam and cleaning at Main Line Dental Group is an excellent way to save time and money.  Preventive care can help alert you to any potential problems and correct any that may have already begun. Remember, teeth cannot heal themselves, so delaying or avoiding treatment for infections, cavities, or decay will only allow these issues to get worse. This can result in more expensive treatments and could ultimately cost you your teeth if left untreated!

Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

If you aren’t experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms, like pain when biting down, scheduling a dental checkup and teeth cleaning every six months may not seem important. It is! Remember, these routine visits allow us to remove built-up plaque and tartar before they wreak havoc on your oral health. Plus, your dentist needs to scan for oral cancer, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other common problems every six months so they are caught and treated ASAP.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home

To keep your teeth and gums healthy, you need to commit to a solid oral hygiene regimen at home. First, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth each morning and evening. Then, commit to flossing and rinsing with mouthwash at least once a day. This will ensure that the spaces between your teeth are cleaned, plaque doesn’t build up along your gumline, and an unpleasant odor doesn’t develop on your breath.

Choose Smile-Friendly Foods and Drinks

In short, your diet impacts your oral health. After all, if you eat hard pretzels, candy canes, peanut brittle, and other crunchy foods frequently, it will only be a matter of time until you need same-day care for a chipped, cracked, or fractured tooth. So, do your best to stick to foods that actually benefit your oral health, like raw fruits, fresh vegetables, and lean proteins. As for drinks, stick to water! In addition to being sugar-free, it helps prevent dry mouth and dental discoloration.

Wear a Mouthguard While Playing Sports

Whether you play a contact sport, like football, or you prefer a solo one, like skateboarding, you need to wear a mouthguard. This ensures that your teeth and gums are protected from unforeseen impact, like a bad fall or an accidental elbow to your jaw. If you have one from a local sporting goods store (or you don’t have one at all), then reach out to us so we can have a custom one made for you.

Important note: We can have a custom nightguard made if you grind or clench your teeth at night too!

Break Bad Habits

Do you smoke? Do you find yourself biting your nails when you’re stressed? Do you often chew on ice cubes while enjoying your drink? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s important that you put a plan in place to quit. If you don’t, there is a good chance you’ll end up at our office due to a painful dental injury, like a crack in your enamel.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

Unfortunately, toothaches rarely go away on their own. While minor irritation might fade temporarily, persistent, sharp, and throbbing pain is often a sign of a more serious issue, like decay, infection, or injury.

Ignoring a toothache can allow the problem to worsen, which may lead to more extensive treatment. At Main Line Dental Group, we recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as possible to find and treat the root cause of your discomfort. Early care not only alleviates pain but also protects your long-term oral health.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

Sleeping with tooth pain can be difficult, but with good preparation, you’ll be able to sleep soundly until you come to see us. Here are some tips that may help:

• Elevate Your Head: Use an extra pillow to prop your head up and reduce blood flow to the area. This can minimize the throbbing sensation you may feel.
• Use an Ice Pack: Apply a bag of ice wrapped in a soft cloth to your cheek for 15 minutes before bed to reduce swelling.
• Take Some Generic Pain Relievers: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can often help manage discomfort effectively.

Avoid sleeping on the affected side, and schedule an emergency appointment at our Wayne office for professional care as soon as possible.

Can superglue be used to repair broken dentures?

While we certainly understand the frustration of dealing with a broken denture, superglue should never be used to repair them! It’s not made for oral use and can ultimately damage the materials, making professional repair more difficult.

Super glue can also change the way your food tastes and mix in toxic chemicals that could make you sick. Instead, store the broken pieces in a clean container and contact us right away. We can professionally repair or replace your dentures to restore their function and fit safely.

What should I keep in my emergency dentistry kit?

A well-stocked emergency dentistry kit can help you manage dental issues until you reach our Wayne dental office. Here are the essentials you should include:

• Sterile gloves (ideally nitrile)
• Gauze for bleeding.
• A small container to store lost teeth or dental pieces.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen).
• Dental wax for sharp edges.
• Activated cold compresses for swelling.
• A toothbrush and floss for quick cleanups.
• A topical anesthetic like Orajel.

Having these items in a dedicated bag that you can stow in your car or another space nearby can help you protect your oral health during an emergency!