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Emergency Dentist — Fort Valley, GA

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Relieve Oral Pain

One morning, you might wake up with a severe toothache that doesn’t go away and only gets worse whenever you bite or chew something. Or you might get hit in the face while playing your favorite sport and end up with a damaged or even lost tooth. These dental emergencies require immediate attention if Dr. Marable is going to stop your pain and keep your smile whole. Keep our number close at all times so that you can call us as soon as you need emergency dentistry in Fort Valley, GA!

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Why Choose Fantastic Smiles for Emergency Dental Care?

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Woman with toothache calling her Fort Valley emergency dentist

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Knowing the basics of how to take care of a dental emergency can help you stay calm and make the right decisions during a stressful situation. If you’re not sure what to do, don’t worry; we can give you advice over the phone that will help you stay as comfortable as possible while you’re waiting for your appointment. Below, you’ll find some tips for dealing with a variety of particularly common emergencies that you should always be prepared for.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies

Man learning about the cost of dental emergencies in Fort Valley

Naturally, emergency dental care comes with a price. It’s important to be aware of the costs involved before you agree to any sort of treatment. Sometimes only a minor filling will be required, but in other situations, treatments such as root canal therapy may be necessary. At Fantastic Smiles, the cost of emergency dentistry in Fort Valley will be explained to you ahead of time so you know what to expect when the time comes for payment.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

tooth with first aid kit for cost of emergency dentistry in Fort Valley

Believe it or not, visiting your emergency dentist in Fort Valley is relatively inexpensive. During your appointment, our team will evaluate the extent of your condition and determine which treatments are necessary to get your smile back on track. Since every case is unique, it’s impossible to provide an accurate cost estimate until you come in for an exam.

However, some common solutions for dental emergencies include root canal therapy, extractions, dental crowns, and TMJ treatment. We will explain our findings and the recommended treatment plan, plus provide a cost estimate in advance so there won’t be any surprises! 

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

woman at dental checkup for cost of emergency dentistry in Fort Valley

Not every dental emergency is entirely avoidable. Although some happen because of accidental injuries, the majority are the result of unchecked infection or damage. Fortunately, you can keep your smile healthy and save thousands of dollars over the years by investing in routine dental checkups.

On top of that, you can avoid breaking the bank by visiting our team as soon as you notice something wrong with your oral health. Taking care of a problem right away will help you avoid needing more expensive and extensive treatment later on.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

dental insurance for cost of emergency dentistry in Fort Valley

The good news is that most dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for emergency situations. At least one yearly emergency exam is typically fully covered, while common services associated with hurting teeth like root canal therapy, extractions, and dental crowns are eligible for 50-80 percent of coverage. Of course, every policy is unique which is why you should confirm the details with your insurance provider before committing to anything. Our team is more than happy to help with this process if needed!

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

dental plan for cost of emergency dentistry in Fort Valley

Don’t have dental insurance? No problem! We offer flexible financing through CareCredit or GreenSky. These third-party financiers provide patients low-to-no interest payment plans.

If you need a tooth extraction, ask about our special offer of $150 per extraction which includes X-rays and an exam. Also, our Smile Savers Plan covers two emergency exams among several other benefits. Contact us to learn more!

 

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Woman with healthy smile after toothache treatment in Fort Valley

It’s always better to avoid urgent dental problems than to deal with them when they occur. While some dental emergencies are unavoidable, there are many steps you can take to drastically lower your chances of experiencing one. For the most part, you can simply follow a few day-to-day habits and stay proactive about prevention. This will potentially help you save plenty of time and trouble down the line! Below, our team at Fantastic Smiles has compiled some useful tips for preventing dental emergencies.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

patient getting dental checkup

Aside from brushing and flossing every day, you must visit Dr. Marable every six months for a checkup and cleaning. These routine appointments allow our team to remove plaque and tartar from your smile before they lead to further complications. During your exam, we’ll check for early signs of oral health issues (i.e., decay and gum disease) so we can treat them while they’re still minor. Catching them before they reach more advanced stages will help you avoid dental emergencies!

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

closeup of man flossing teeth

You probably already know that you need to brush and floss consistently to keep your teeth strong and problem-free. These oral hygiene habits will help remove food particles and harmful bacteria from your mouth, lowering your risk of dental issues. If you’re having trouble keeping bacteria levels in your mouth under control, consider adding mouthwash to your daily routine.

Be Careful with Your Diet

woman eating salad

Don’t worry – you don’t have to cut sugary and starchy foods out of your diet completely! However, it’s a good idea to be mindful of the foods you consume. Overindulging in the wrong things can increase your risk of decay and gum disease. Make sure you focus on eating healthy foods that have a positive impact on your grin, like crunchy fruits and vegetables.

Wear a Mouthguard

closeup of person holding mouthguard

One of the most common causes of dental emergencies outside of tooth decay is physical injuries while playing sports. Luckily, you can protect your smile while playing sports with a mouthguard. Dr. Marable can provide you with a custom-made oral appliance, which can offer the best protection in the long term over a store-bought solution. If you grind your teeth at night while you sleep, you can wear a nightguard to help you avoid cracking or chipping your teeth.

Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging

man opening bottle with mouth at party

When you can’t tear open a package, you may be tempted to use your teeth to save time. Unfortunately, doing this can weaken your enamel and potentially lead to chips and cracks. Instead of putting your smile at risk, you should wait until you have the right tool or ask someone to lend you a helping hand.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will my toothache go away by itself?

Many people tend to take over-the-counter pain relivers if they experience a toothache. This can help alleviate temporary discomfort, as some conditions can go away on their own—like an irritation in the gum surrounding a tooth. For the most part, however, a toothache will not get better on its own. In fact, it’s likely to get worse! That’s why the best way to handle a toothache is to visit your dentist as soon as possible. In this way, your dentist will be able to rule out any potential causes as they check for the underlying problem. Scheduling a checkup sooner rather than later will also help avoid developing issues from becoming more serious conditions in the future.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

While visiting the emergency room for quick treatment is understandable, they unfortunately won’t be able to provide urgent dental care as effectively as your dentist. The most you can expect them to offer are pain relief medications or antibiotics. However, there are primarily three exceptions where it would be best for you to visit an ER. If you are experiencing a fractured or dislocated jaw, serious lacerations or cuts to the mouth or face, or an abscess/infection that makes it hard to breath or swallow, then go to the ER immediately. In any other dental situation, visit your emergency dentist first.

What does throbbing tooth pain mean?

Having a throbbing discomfort in a tooth is typically a symptom of inflammation or an infection within it. This can occur when a cavities or cracks inside the tooth permit bacteria and air to reach the pulp—the sensitive inner area. When this happens, it can result in either irritation or possible infection of the nerves within, causing severe discomfort. This can also be a sign if decay is present. Other reasons for throbbing tooth pain may include chronic grinding and clenching of the teeth. The only way to know for sure what your throbbing tooth pain means is to come see us for an evaluation, so don’t hesitate to contact us right away!

Do I need to visit for minor chips to teeth?

Even if you have minor chips to your teeth and are not experiencing any discomfort, you should still visit us when possible. Whether your pearly whites have been mildly damaged, fractured, or broken, they will not be able to heal on their own. Without treatment, you risk damaging the chipped teeth further. Fortunately, our dentist can provide a number of advanced solutions, depending on the severity of your injury. Additionally, visiting your emergency dentist can help you avoid accidentally harming your gums or oral tissue if your chipped teeth are sharp or jagged.

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Toothaches

Is my toothache a dental emergency? Yes, a toothache can be a dental emergency depending on the underlying cause. If it is only a lodged piece of food stuck between two teeth, you’re unlikely to need immediate treatment.

How you should handle a toothache: If you discover you have something between your teeth, rinse with warm water and use dental floss to remove it. This should alleviate the pain. Otherwise, take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize the discomfort and wait to see your dentist.

How we treat toothaches: As soon as you arrive at our dental office, we will take diagnostic images to look further into the cause of your toothache before determining an appropriate treatment plan. This may include tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, periodontal therapy, root canal therapy, or tooth extraction.

Learn More About Tooth-Colored Fillings

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Chipped Tooth

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? No, you do not need to panic if you have a chipped tooth. Seeing an emergency dentist within a day or two of the incident is fine, as these are typically not so severe that they cannot wait.

How you should handle a chipped tooth: At home, should avoid chewing on the side of your mouth with the chipped tooth, and you should use dental wax to cover jagged portions of the tooth. Neglecting proper care of this structure can lead to worsening symptoms for your overall smile, so make sure to follow the instructions provided to you by our dental team.

How we treat chipped teeth: A chipped tooth can be treated one of two ways: cosmetic bonding or dental veneers. If the chip is small and doesn’t hinder the functionality of the tooth, we can use cosmetic bonding to conceal the chip and boost your overall appearance. However, if the chip is severe or occurs toward the front of the mouth, we can discuss the option of veneers to transform your aesthetics.

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Cracked Tooth

Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? Yes, a cracked tooth is a dental emergency that should not be neglected, as it can cause further damage to your smile.

How you should handle a cracked tooth: The best thing you can do when faced with a cracked tooth is to avoid chewing on that side of your smile as well as be mindful when cleaning your teeth. You’ll want to get into our office as fast as possible; however, while waiting at home, don’t hesitate to use dental wax to cover jagged edges that might hurt your soft oral tissues.

How we treat cracked teeth: Treating a cracked tooth requires determining the severity of the damage. If only minor, we may be able to use cosmetic bonding to conceal the area and restore your smile. If the crack appears to be more severe, we will likely recommend a customized dental crown to place over the tooth structure, allowing it to strengthen over time. For the most devastating damage, we will extract the tooth and begin discussing ways to replace it with a bridge, denture, or dental implant.

Learn More About Cosmetic Bonding

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Very Sensitive Teeth

Are Very Sensitive Teeth a Dental Emergency? There’s a possibility that your dental sensitivity may be the result of an untreated oral health issue, which is why it shouldn’t be ignored. If you’re experiencing any abnormal dental symptoms or the sensation has continued for more than 24 hours, then it absolutely warrants a visit to our Fort Valley emergency dentist.

How You Should Handle Very Sensitive Teeth Fortunately, there are a few things you can do in the short-term, including using a desensitizing toothpaste, avoiding hot beverages, like coffee, and not eating spicy, acidic, or sugary foods.

How We Treat Very Sensitive Teeth Priority number one is pinpointing the cause. In most cases, dental sensitivity is the result of gum disease or significant tooth decay. The good news is that we can intervene with the appropriate restorative treatment so the look and health of your smile don’t suffer.

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Knocked-Out Tooth

Is My Knocked-Out Tooth a Dental Emergency? It is. That’s why we recommend calling our Fort Valley dental office immediately. Over the phone, we can schedule your treatment, guide you through what to do until then, and answer any questions you have so the process is as stress-free as possible.

How You Should Handle a Knocked-Out Tooth Your top priorities should be calling our team and finding the tooth. If you are able to locate it, then make sure to avoid the root when touching it – this can damage the cells and reduce the chances of it being successfully reinserted. To keep it safe until your appointment, fill a clean container with milk and submerge the tooth in it.

How We Treat Knocked-Out Teeth First, we will see if saving your natural tooth is possible. If that’s not an option, then we will need to restore the look and function of your smile with a tooth-replacement solution instead, like a dental implant or bridge.

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Lost Filling or Crown

Is a Lost Filling or Crown a Dental Emergency? Yes, lost restorations warrant a call to our dental office. No matter how small the filling is, your tooth is now vulnerable, and it needs to be treated before you sustain a more serious dental injury.

How You Should Handle a Lost Filling or Crown Rinsing your mouth is a good first step since this can remove bacteria and help prevent an infection. Naturally, you shouldn’t chew on that side of your mouth, especially if what you’re eating is crunchy, hard, or sticky. Lastly, store your restoration in a clean container (if you have it), and take an OTC pain reliever if you’re uncomfortable.

How We Treat Lost Fillings or Crowns With both dislodged fillings and dental crowns, we can provide you with a new one. For dental crowns specifically, we also have the option of recementing your old one back in place, which is only recommended if it’s still in good condition.

Broken Denture

Is a broken denture a dental emergency? While a broken denture won’t be life-threatening, wearing one can result in damage to your soft oral tissues, gums, and any remaining teeth. Since this will also negatively affect your bite and speech, you’ll want to get this problem addressed as soon as possible.

How to handle a broken denture: You should never wear a broken or damaged denture, as this can cause more harm than good. Be sure to NOT try repairing it on your own with any household products, such as super glue. These items can be hazardous to you if you ingest them, as they aren’t biocompatible. Notify our team of your situation instead, and we’ll walk you through your next best steps.

How we treat broken dentures: Depending on the level of damage to your prosthetics, we may be able to either fix them or replace them. Minor chips or cracks can often be repaired with composite resin. But if the damage is too severe, we can discuss alternative tooth-replacement options, such as dental implants or fixed dentures.

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Loose Permanent Tooth

Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency? Having a loose tooth can be extremely problematic, so you’ll want to get this treated straight away. The last thing you want is for it to fall out, which can lead to further complications. Even if your loose tooth doesn’t hurt, call our team immediately for help.

How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Once you notice your tooth is loose, notify our office to schedule an appointment. In the meantime, don’t touch or disturb it, and avoid eating sticky or hard foods. Don’t chew on that side of the mouth and be sure to gently rinse your mouth with water to clean the area instead of brushing or flossing.

How we treat loose permanent teeth: Our team will do everything we can to help preserve your tooth. If the issue is due to an infection in the gums, then we can certainly address this with gum disease treatment. We can also offer athletic mouthguards to help protect your smile in the future. However, if saving your tooth isn’t viable, we may have to extract it and discuss your restoration options, like dental implants.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

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Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency? An injury to your gums, lips, or tongue can often be addressed with at-home remedies. However, if you have a major laceration that you suspect has damaged your smile, then we can provide treatment for you.

How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Rinse your mouth with clean water to get rid of any debris. Apply pressure to the wound with a clean washcloth to control the bleeding. Use a cold compress to alleviate swelling and discomfort. If you can’t control the bleeding, you should visit your local ER before coming to see us.

How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: Our team can help address minor wounds to your gums, lips, or tongue. We also offer custom mouthguards to protect your teeth. If you’re experiencing larger gashes or bleeding that won’t stop, then you should head straight to the ER.

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Jaw Pain

Is jaw pain a dental emergency? Though jaw pain isn’t typically an urgent situation, it can still impact your daily life. If your situation lasts longer than a few days or gets worse, make sure to notify our team as soon as possible for treatment.

How you should handle jaw pain: Take over-the-counter painkillers and use a cold compress to relieve discomfort and inflammation. However, if you suspect your jaw is broken or dislocated, go ahead and visit your local ER instead. We can help address any concerns about your smile afterward.

How we treat jaw pain: Our team will treat your jaw pain depending on the root of the problem. If the issue is an impacted wisdom tooth, then we can remove it. We also provide TMJ therapy to help alleviate your symptoms.

Learn More About TMJ Therapy

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Something Stuck Between the Teeth

If you have something stuck in your smile, the last thing you want to do is use a sharp object to get it out. Do NOT use anything like toothpicks, tweezers, or a fork to remove the thing, as this can cause serious damage to your teeth and soft oral tissues. Instead, try rinsing and flossing to dislodge the object. If this doesn’t work, notify our team for help.

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