Emergency Dentist – Dublin, OH

Responsive and Effective Treatment for Your Dental Pain

With over 15 years of experience providing compassionate and comprehensive dental care, Dr. Eric Buck has treated his fair share of dental emergencies. So, when you visit our trusted emergency dentist in Dublin, OH at Distinctive Smiles of Dublin, you’ll be in capable hands. Because we know that dealing with dental trauma can be unsettling, we provide care in a relaxed and comfortable environment, while using the latest dental technology to help you recover. If you’re suffering from a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Why Choose Distinctive Smiles of Dublin for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Appointments
  • Different Types of Sedation Offered
  • State-of-the-Art Technology

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Woman holding cheek in pain before emergency dentistry treatment

Typically, dental emergencies fall into two categories: long-term infections caused by dental neglect and sudden physical accidents or injuries. No matter what type of trauma you have, your first step should be to take a deep breath and carefully assess the situation. Then, reach out to our dental office to explain what has happened.

Until you can get in for a visit, there are some steps you can take at home to stabilize the situation. Here’s what to do for some of the more common forms of trauma:

Toothache

If you have a toothache, the first step is to make sure that no food is lodged between your teeth. You can do this by carefully flossing around the pain site. You can also take ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) to soothe the pain and apply ice in 15-minute increments to reduce any swelling.

Chipped/Broken Tooth

A sudden chip or break can send pain shooting through your tooth. To quiet the discomfort, you can take ibuprofen. Until you can visit us, we also suggest you avoid any activity around the injured tooth. In most cases, your saliva will produce enzymes that will help to numb the pain, but it’s still important that you contact our dental office immediately to schedule a visit to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Knocked-Out Tooth

For a knocked-out tooth, grab it by the crown, carefully rinse it off and attempt to reinsert it. If you’re unsuccessful, just place the tooth in a cup of milk to keep the roots alive until your emergency dentist in Dublin can reinsert it.

Lost Filling/Crown

When a filling or crown restoration is lost, your tooth is left vulnerable to debris and bacteria infiltrating it. In the event this happens, don’t hesitate to reach out to our dental office to explain what has happened and to schedule a visit. Meanwhile, if the fixture is still intact, you can attempt to temporarily restore it using dental wax or a small dollop of toothpaste.

By knowing how to effectively respond to a dental emergency, you can lessen any suffering and aid in the recovery process. What’s most important in these situations is that you remain calm and immediately contact us so that Dr. Buck can see you as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Dental Emergencies

Man in pain before emergency dentistry

Ultimately, the best way to treat a dental emergency is to prevent it from happening. To better protect yourself, we suggest you follow a few simple protocols:

  • To brush and floss at least two times a day
  • To wear a custom mouthguard if you’re involved in any sporting events
  • To avoid using your teeth to open packages, bite fingernails, or chew ice
  • To seek treatment for bruxism (teeth grinding)

The Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies

Woman discussing the cost of dental emergencies with dentist

Because dental trauma can vary in nature, there’s no way to provide a concrete cost for receiving care. The treatment protocol can range from a simple prescription to an extraction or root canal. The best way for us to provide you with an accurate cost estimate is to visit our dental office for a careful examination. No matter what your situation is, Dr. Buck and our talented staff have the expertise and skills to help guide you back to normal oral health.

Dental Emergency Frequently Asked Questions

When is the optimum time for a dental emergency to occur? Never! Unfortunately, one can still happen when you least expect it. Therefore, the more prepared you are, the better. We know that these are always difficult situations, so to help you respond effectively, we’ve answered the questions we’re most frequently asked at our dental office. And in the event a dental emergency strikes, we’re here to provide the care you need to recover, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

What’s the cost of emergency dental care?

It’s only logical to wonder how much your treatment will cost in an emergency dental situation. Because the issues can vary, we can’t provide you with a set fee schedule. However, when you visit and we’re able to perform a careful assessment, we can determine what you’ll need to recover and provide you with a competitive cost estimate.

Will my dental insurance cover the cost?

One of the reasons for maintaining dental insurance is to have the peace of mind of knowing that when a dental emergency happens, you can receive the care you need. Still, dental insurance can vary. Thus, the amount of coverage available will depend on the details of your plan. When you visit our dental office, one of our staff members will be happy to work with you to ensure you’re able to maximize your coverage.

Is same-day emergency care available?

We know that some dental emergencies require more immediate care than others. Therefore, when you contact us with a more time-sensitive emergency like a dislodged tooth, we’ll do our best to get you right in. No matter what, when you reach out, one of our trained staff members will provide the calm and expertise you need to proceed effectively.

When should I head to the ER?

In most cases, we can treat your dental emergency at our dental office. However, there are two situations when you should immediately head to the emergency room: a suspected broken jaw or profuse oral bleeding that has lasted for more than 10 minutes. By receiving treatment at the hospital, the initial threat to your overall health can be addressed. We can then provide the additional dental care you need to fully recover.

How can I prevent a dental emergency?

While there is no “silver bullet” for completely preventing a dental emergency, there are steps you can take to lessen the chances of one occurring. For starters, it’s important to practice consistent and proper oral hygiene, which should include brushing and flossing at least two times a day. Then, be sure to visit us semi-annually for cleanings and checkups. Therefore, we can identify any developing issues and address them before they become big problems.

If you’re facing a dental emergency, we’re here for you, so don’t hesitate to contact your emergency dentist in Dublin!