Issues such as sudden dental pain or a lost tooth can be alarming enough on your own, but they can be especially intimidating (and costly!) if you don’t have any kind of dental insurance. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have any options; by keeping a cool head and making the right decisions, you can get the care you need while keeping your out-of-pocket costs to an absolute minimum. When you need to call the dentist in Oklahoma City for emergency care, keep these 3 tips in mind so that you can stop your pain and your worries while staying in control of your finances.
1. Be Able to Recognize What’s Urgent
Some issues absolutely need immediate attention while others can wait for a short while. Knocked-out teeth, painful swelling or aches, an injured jaw, and unstoppable bleeding are all extremely serious issues that need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Less urgent issues include lost fillings, cracked teeth, damaged retainers, and dull toothaches; they don’t necessarily require a same-day appointment, but ignoring them for too long could lead to more severe problems.
If you’re not sure that your tooth pain is serious, try flossing the area in question before rinsing with a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash. This should help remove food particles that have become stuck in your smile, and the mouthwash will reduce bacteria and irritation in your mouth. If these steps do not alleviate the pain, you’ll need a dentist’s help to figure out the cause of the toothache.
2. Figure Out What to Do in an Emergency
Having a plan ahead of time can make an emergency much less stressful. Remember to stay as calm as possible. Rinse your mouth with a salt and water mixture to clean it out, then try using a cold compress to reduce any swelling. Knocked out teeth should be placed in a glass of cold milk as soon as possible; this will keep it moist and increase the chances of having the tooth successfully replanted.
3. Take Preventive Measures
In general, it’s best to avoid emergencies altogether whenever possible. That means taking preventive measures at home to lower the risk of a problem occurring. Brush two times a day for two minutes at a time, and be sure to floss regularly. Be gentle with your teeth; you should never bite down on hard objects or hard foods such as ice.
By following the above tips, you can limit the damage that your smile suffers during a dental emergency so that the issue can be dealt with quickly and in a more cost-effective way. Don’t let a lack of dental insurance in Oklahoma City stop you from protecting your oral health!
About the Author
Dr. Bradley Mitchell earned his dental degree from the University of Oklahoma. He loves being a dentist, believing it to be the best job in the world due to the opportunity to form new friendships and help others improve their health and well-being. In the event of an emergency, you can get in touch with him at Mitchell Smile Design of Oklahoma City by calling (405) 755-2670; you can also get in touch with him through his website.
