Emergency Dentist — Sarasota, FL

Every Dental Emergency is Different

When faced with an emergency dental visit, you can expect it to be fairly inexpensive. This type of visit will require meeting with Dr. Hoffman and our dental team and allowing us to examine your oral cavity to determine your unique needs. After evaluating your problem area and deciding which treatment will best address the issue, we will then be able to provide a more thorough cost estimate. You will find the most common methods of treatment include:

• Dental crowns
• Root canal therapy
• Tooth extractions
• And more!

Do not worry, as our team at Parkway Ridge Dental will make sure to explain the problem, review the proposed treatment plan, and help you understand the estimated cost, so you know exactly what to expect when starting the restorative process.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

You will find that most dental insurance companies do offer some level of coverage for dental emergencies. It is also possible that at least one yearly emergency exam may be covered; however, it is best if you check with your insurance carrier to find out for sure. Also, many of the most common restorative and emergency services (i.e., root canal therapy, dental crowns, extractions) are typically covered anywhere from 50-80%. But remember, no two plans are the same, and your annual maximum will largely determine how much your insurer will cover. If you need assistance to better understand your policy and how much will be covered, our team is here to help.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

No matter if your dental insurance company agrees to cover a portion of your treatment costs, it may be necessary for you to seek alternative ways to pay for the remaining balance. If this is the case, you’ll be pleased to know that Dr. Hoffman offers help in the form of personalized payment plans that are available in-office as well as through CareCredit. He also offers a PR Dental Savings Plan.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Dr. Hoffman understands that preventing all dental emergencies isn’t always possible. However, when a situation occurs as a result of an infection or dental trauma that remains untreated, you can be faced with timely and costly procedures to save your smile.

Regular preventive care is the key to avoiding expensive dental treatments over the years. Without it, not only will your teeth and gum health decline but more of your hard-earned money will go toward necessary restorative services designed to repair your smile.

It is vital that you do not wait when experiencing dental pain or trauma. Allowing our team to take care of the problem early on will not only minimize the potential for future incidents but will also save you valuable time and money. Even if you’re worried you’ll be unable to afford treatment, the longer you wait, the higher the cost will be. For example, if you’re experiencing severe tooth pain, it’s better to see your emergency dentist in Sarasota right away and undergo a root canal than to wait and have an extraction. Why? Because the removal of a tooth requires replacing it with expensive solutions like dental implants.

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Continuing to see Dr. Hoffman for regular dental checkups and cleanings will ensure that your teeth and gums remain free of any decay and damage. Too often, dental emergencies are the result of poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to the dentist. Inflammation and infection can arise, resulting in nagging toothaches and other serious problems that require timely treatment. By keeping these appointments, we can stay on top of your oral health and prevent serious issues from developing.

Keep Brushing and Flossing

Along with your regular six-month dental visits, you should also plan to maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine at home. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are vital components that should be practiced in the morning and at night. This removes harmful bacteria and particles that can lead to a breakdown of your natural tooth enamel. It also eliminates anything that might be trying to burrow between teeth and put you at risk for decay and gum disease.

Be Mindful What You Eat

The saying, “You Are What You Eat” is never truer than when considering your oral and overall health. If you consume mostly sugars and starches, there’s a good chance you feel sluggish and out of energy. It’s also likely that you suffer from cavities and inflamed or bleeding gums. Switching out these unhealthy food items for healthier alternatives (i.e., lean proteins, dairy, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables) can help you to avoid many common health problems such as diabetes and heart disease as well as improve your teeth and gums.

Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Teeth

A customized mouthguard is a worthy investment, especially if you want to stay out of the emergency dental office in Sarasota. If you play sports or struggle with teeth grinding while you sleep, these oral devices can be game-changers. Not only will your teeth and soft oral tissues remain protected while on the court, field, or track, but they’ll avoid coming into contact with each other throughout the night.

Instead of dealing with gum recession, broken teeth, worn tooth enamel, and soft tissue lacerations, we can provide you with a customized mouthguard designed to comfortably fit your smile.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

It’s tempting to just grab the bag and open it with your teeth; however, if you do, you’re putting yourself at risk of seriously damaging your teeth and gums. A quick scratch, chip, or break will put you well on your way to seeing Dr. Hoffman for an emergency dental appointment. If you want to avoid this, spend the time finding the right tool for the job, and leave your teeth alone and free of damage.

Will a toothache go away on its own?

It is unlikely that a toothache will go away on its own. The reason is that many underlying causes can create tooth pain, so it is best if you call and schedule an appointment to get in to see Dr. Hoffman. This will ensure that the problem is taken care of sooner rather than later. However, if the pain you’re feeling is around the tooth, not inside, there is a chance it will dissipate over time.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

The only reason you should ever visit an emergency room for a dental emergency is if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing because of swelling, are experiencing excessive bleeding, or have broken or fractured your jawbone.

All other types of dental injuries (i.e., toothache, chipped or cracked tooth, knocked-out tooth, lost filling, etc.) can be treated by Dr. Hoffman and our team. You can trust that we will develop a thorough treatment plan to put your smile back on track.

If you were to go to the ER for these types of situations, the only help you would receive is pain medication to ease your discomfort.

How should I sleep with tooth pain?

If you experience a toothache at night, make sure to keep your head elevated, as this prevents the blood from rushing to your head and causing worsening pain. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to minimize discomfort. You’ll also want to avoid any acidic foods as well as those that are hot or cold before bed. You might also find that a cold compress can help reduce discomfort.

Do chipped teeth heal?

Tooth enamel is considered the hardest substance within the body, so it’s easy to assume that a chipped or broken tooth might heal on its own. However, this is not the case. Once tooth enamel is damaged or no longer available, it cannot grow back on its own. When dealing with a chipped tooth, you may not need to get in the same day for treatment, but you will want to see your emergency dentist within 2-3 days of your injury. This will minimize your chances of infection or further damage.

Do I need to visit for minor chips to teeth?

The important thing to remember is that your tooth will not heal on its own, even when chipped. To rectify the situation, you will need to see your dentist to avoid further damage. If the break or chip is severe, you will need to discuss how best to treat the problem. Avoiding treatment will only put your soft oral tissues at risk because of the jagged edges that can scrape or cut your gums, cheeks, lips, and tongue.

Can I fix dentures that are broken in half?

No, you cannot fix dentures that are broken in half. Only a skilled and trusted prosthodontist can perform this type of work. You may be tempted to use over-the-counter solutions to temporarily fix the problem, but it’s best if you leave it to the professionals. This type of dental emergency in Sarasota should be treated as soon as possible by a licensed individual who has experience working with prosthetics. Super glue, tape, or any other at-home remedy will only put you at risk for further harm. Instead, just leave your dentures out of your mouth until it’s time to see Dr. Hoffman.

Is my tooth pain from an infection?

The only way to know for sure the reason for your tooth pain is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hoffman. It is during this visit that he will take digital images of your smile as well as look inside your mouth for potential problems. If the discomfort exists deep within the tooth, the only viable solution may be to perform a root canal. However, if the tooth cannot be adequately fixed using other restorative methods, we will need to extract the tooth and replace it with a natural, beautiful restoration.

Depending on the type of pain, location, and other particular symptoms, there is a good chance your tooth pain is the result of an infection that has formed. Typically, if you notice that you have bad breath, tooth sensitivity, a loose tooth, reddening and swollen gums, and an oral sore near the bothersome tooth, you likely have an infection that needs to be treated right away. This is the only way to know for sure if what you are experiencing is an actual infection. If so, we’ll work quickly to get you the help you need.

Are toothpicks safe to use?

It is strongly advised that you do not use toothpicks, especially those made of wood. Apart from the potential of damaging your soft tissues and enamel, you could suffer from a splinter that breaks off inside your mouth. If there is something lodged between your teeth, a toothpick can also push the debris further into the gum tissue, irritating the area. It is best to rinse with warm water and use dental floss than to use a toothpick.