Emergency Dentist Idaho Falls
Urgent Emergency Dentistry When You Need It
You might have the best oral health of anyone in the entire world, but unfortunately, that does not exempt you from the possibility of a dental emergency. Dental emergencies can happen to anyone! If you're in need of urgent dental care, contact us for emergency dentistry in Idaho Falls.
Although a dental emergency does not mean that you are necessarily doing a poor job of taking care of your teeth, lack of preventive care can definitely increase the likelihood of an emergency happening. Proper care and maintenance for your teeth is always a good idea if you are looking to minimize toothaches, infections, and other dental emergencies, but in the case where a problem arises, know that you can count on us.
Why Choose Cline Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- We Accept Dental Insurance
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Sedation Offered for Anxious Patients
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
Whether you are young or old or have great or poor dental health, there is nothing that you can do to ensure that you will never have a dental emergency. When emergencies strike, you want someone that can get you in quickly and take good care of you. Dr. Cline is very accommodating when it comes to dental emergencies, often expanding his schedule to meet your needs. We know that the last thing you want is to have to wait or go somewhere else for a dental emergency, which is why we offer same-day appointments to get you out of pain as quickly as possible.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Whatever the cause of your emergency, we have a number of options to help you get out of pain, and back to optimal oral health. If you are curious about the different types of dental emergencies, just see below. If you are in the middle of a dental emergency, just call our office and we will get you in as quickly as possible!
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
The term “dental emergency” can cover a wide array of problems, ranging from chipped teeth to severe toothaches. At your appointment, our team will diagnose the issue at-hand and create a customized treatment plan to get your oral health back on the right track, but before we complete any procedure, we’ll be sure to provide you with a detailed cost estimate. We’re proud to accept most major PPO dental insurance plans and also offer discounts through our in-house savings plan for those who are uninsured. Never hesitate to reach out to our team if you have any financial concerns—we’re always happy to help.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While there’s no way to completely avoid experiencing a dental emergency, there are plenty of preventive steps you can take to drastically minimize your risk. Here are some recommendations our Idaho Falls dental team has for avoiding emergency dental visits:
Consistently Brush and Floss Your Teeth
Brushing and flossing your teeth can protect you from numerous dental injuries – if you are consistent, that is. Remember, running a damp toothbrush over your teeth quickly won’t do the job, and neither will your floss if you only use it once a week. The best thing to do is use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste for two full minutes each morning and evening. Then, floss and rinse with mouthwash each night to make sure plaque, food particles, and other debris are removed completely.
Visit Us Every Six Months for a Dental Checkup and Cleaning
Since plaque and tartar can build up over time (even with a solid oral hygiene regimen in place), it’s important that you come to our office for a dental cleaning every six months. We’ll also take X-rays, conduct an oral exam, and screen for oral cancer to ensure any signs of trouble are detected and treated right away. Simply put, prioritizing your biannual visits will go a long way when it comes to protecting your smile from harm.
Protect Your Teeth with a Mouthguard or Nightguard
Do you play sports? Even if it’s a non-contact one, like skateboarding, you need to wear a mouthguard to protect your smile from common injuries, like a knocked-out tooth. You should also have a custom nightguard made if you chronically grind or clench your teeth at night. If you’re not sure where to get a mouthguard or nightguard, you’ll be happy to know that we can provide you with one, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment!
Be Mindful of What You Eat
Patients often don’t consider the correlation between diet and oral health, but it plays a big role in the health of your teeth and gums. So, make sure that you exercise caution with extremely crunchy foods, like hard pretzels, and that you limit your intake of sugary and starchy snacks. Instead, fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and balanced carbs to protect your teeth, keep your jawbone strong, and maintain infection-free gums!
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Oftentimes, patients think smoking is the only bad habit that can wreak havoc on their smile. That’s not the case! Even things that seem harmless, like biting your nails or using your teeth to remove plastic wrapping, can lead to serious chips and cracks in your enamel. So, make it a priority to break bad habits like these.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Will My Tooth Sensitivity Eventually Go Away on Its Own?
That depends. For example, if you recently had a filling placed or you took a sip of your coffee before it cooled down, then sensitivity is to be expected. Of course, if there doesn’t seem to be a trigger, your symptoms are getting worse, or you are experiencing other warning signs of trouble, like swollen or bleeding gums, you shouldn’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, call our Idaho Falls dental office right away to schedule an emergency exam with Dr. Cline.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
The first step we recommend taking is avoiding spicy, sugary, and acidic foods at dinner. Then, use a cold compress in 10-minute intervals to help alleviate swelling and inflammation. About 30 minutes before bed, take OTC pain medication and, when you’re ready to go to sleep, prop yourself up on a few pillows so your head stays elevated.
Important note: We only recommend the previously mentioned steps if you have an appointment scheduled, but it’s still a day or two away. In other words, they are not long-term solutions, so it’s crucial that you make getting the dental care you need a priority.
What if My Toothache Suddenly Disappears?
Don’t jump for joy just yet! This is usually the result of the infection “killing” the nerve of the tooth, rendering it unable to register any pain. In other words, your tooth hasn’t healed on its own; the root of the problem still exists. The best thing to do is schedule an emergency exam with us so we can provide the restorative care you need while your tooth can still be saved.
Can I Pop a Dental Abscess on My Own?
There are a few reasons the answer is “no,” starting with the fact that popping a dental abscess on your own will allow the infection to spread throughout your mouth, to your throat, and even to the rest of your body. So, if you see a pimple-like bump on your gums, do NOT try to pop it at home. Instead, schedule an emergency appointment with us so we can carefully open it and drain it.
Do I Need to Go to The Dentist for A Small Chip in My Tooth?
If you have a small chip in your tooth and you aren’t experiencing any pain, sensitivity, or discomfort, then a same-day visit to our office likely isn’t necessary. That said, you should still give us a call and schedule an exam. After all, even if you aren’t experiencing any abnormal symptoms, an infection can develop or the tooth could break further. We want to replace the missing structure before that happens.
What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?
One of the most common causes of jaw pain is chronic teeth grinding or clenching. The good news is that the solution is simple: wearing a nightguard (we can have a custom one made for you). Of course, it’s possible for the root of the problem to be something else, like impacted wisdom teeth or TMJ dysfunction. That’s why the emergency exam is so important: we need to pinpoint the cause and, once we’ve determined that, help you decide the best treatment for you.