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Emergency Dentist — North Andover, MA
We Can Help Save Your Smile
Emergencies rarely happen when you’re prepared for them – that’s what makes them emergencies. But, when it comes to your smile, being caught off guard isn’t something you want. As your North Andover and Newburyport emergency dental care center, we want you to be prepared in the case of a dental emergency. We always do what we can to see patients in need of emergency dentistry in North Andover immediately, though some problems—like intense bleeding—will need to be handled by an emergency room. If you’d like to learn more about how we can relieve your pain, continue reading or give our office a call today!
Why Choose E. Charles Beliveau, DDS for Emergency Dental Care?
- Variety of Restorations and Tooth Replacements
- Same-Day Emergency Appointment Times Available
- Comforting Oral Conscious Sedation Offered
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Call our office right away. The sooner you give us a call, the better chance we have of saving your smile. We’ll schedule you for the earliest available appointment. Over the phone, we’ll share tips to help you manage your situation while you wait for your visit.
- See Dr. Beliveau for an emergency exam. When you get to our office, Dr. Beliveau will thoroughly assess the problem and take X-rays if needed. Using his findings, he’ll create a custom treatment plan to get your smile back on the right track.
- Get the care you need. We might be able to relieve your pain during your initial visit, but you may have to return for additional treatments to correct the root cause. Some common solutions include root canal therapy, tooth extractions, dental crowns, and more.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Each emergency is different, so you need to analyze the situation quickly to figure out the best first-aid strategy. We can give you advice over the phone when you call your dental office in case you’re uncertain. That said, it helps to know the basics of how to deal with certain emergencies beforehand so that you already have a good idea of what to do.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies
When you suffer a serious dental accident or injury, your first thought should be to seek the urgent care you need, not worry about if or how you can afford to pay for emergency treatment. At our dental office, we firmly believe that your oral health should always be the number one priority. That is why our dedicated staff works on patients’ behalf to maximize their dental insurance benefits and reduce out-of-pocket costs. We also are happy to connect uninsured patients with additional financial resources to help ensure paying for emergency treatment is extremely manageable and not a source of undue stress. Below, you can learn more about budgeting for the cost of dental emergencies in North Andover.
Factors that can Influence the Cost of Emergency Care
The cost of dental emergency care can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as:
- Location : The cost of dental care, including emergency care from a dentist, is often higher in large cities compared to small-to-medium towns or rural communities.
- Dental Insurance : Patients with a dental insurance plan can usually expect to pay significantly less out of pocket for emergency care than uninsured individuals. In general, most insurance plans cover minor services at 70-80%, while major restorative treatment such as a root canal or tooth extraction may be covered up to 50-70%.
- Type of Treatment : Costs will vary depending on the type of restorative treatment needed.
What Financial Options Available Are Available?
While dental insurance can help reduce the cost of emergency dental treatment, every insurance plan is slightly different. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, do not hesitate to give us a call! Our friendly staff will be happy to review the particulars of your plan and estimate what your insurance would cover in cases of emergency.
We are also a proud partner of CareCredit, a trusted third-party financing organization. CareCredit helps make dental care more affordable for uninsured or underinsured patients by offering low and no-interest loans and low monthly payment plans.
Why You Should Schedule a Consultation
Should the unexpected occur and you experience a dental emergency, you should schedule a consultation or appointment with Dr. Beliveau as soon as possible. Putting off urgent dental care because you are worried about the cost of treatment will likely only make the situation worse and could even lead to irreversible damage.
At your emergency appointment or consultation, Dr. Beliveau will be able to examine your teeth and mouth, determine the severity of the problem, recommend appropriate treatment, and communicate the estimated cost.
Remember, although there is no one-size-fits-all cost of treatment for dental emergencies, never let it keep you from getting the care you need.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
- Brush your teeth at least two times every day, and floss regularly to get rid of hard-to-reach plaque and food particles.
- Be careful of what you eat. Limit the amount of sugar you consume daily, and avoid chewing on popcorn kernels, ice, and anything else that’s hard enough to potentially crack the teeth.
- Wear a protective mouthguard while sleeping or playing sports of any kind.
- Make sure you receive a dental checkup every six months.
Dental Emergency FAQs
When Should I Go to the Dentist Versus the Hospital?
Dr. Beliveau is experienced in treating a variety of dental emergencies, including problems like toothaches, broken teeth, lost teeth, and infection that doesn’t affect breathing. However, if an emergency occurs that involves uncontrollable bleeding, trouble breathing, deep cuts, jaw fractures, or discolorations, you should head to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
Should Dental Emergencies Be Treated Immediately?
Dental emergencies are called emergencies for a reason. These issues should be treated as soon as possible, which is why it’s important to contact our dental office if an emergency occurs. Unlike other medical conditions that can get better with time, dental problems will only get worse if left untreated. For instance, a slight toothache could turn into needing a root canal, or even a dental crown after treatment. That’s why you should contact our dental office immediately the moment that you see or feel something is wrong with your smile.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Slight pain and discomfort are relatively common, so how can you tell the difference between a piece of popcorn irritating your gums and a real emergency? Here are some common signs and symptoms of a dental emergency occurring:
- Bleeding
- Intense pain
- Loose or broken teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Swelling
- Loose crowns or fillings
- Persistent sores or abscesses
Most dental emergencies can be categorized into 2 separate groups: sudden dental injury, or infection that occurs over time. Thankfully, Dr. Beliveau is equipped to handle both types, getting patients out of pain and back to comfort.
When Do I Need a Root Canal?
Root canal therapy is a common treatment we use when patients are having a toothache caused by an infection. While this service has a bad reputation for pain, it can actually get you out of discomfort rather than put you in it. Infection and decay are usually caused by poor dental hygiene over time, and Dr. Beliveau can use root canal therapy to remove the infected tissue in your tooth without extracting it entirely. This effectively saves your tooth and prevents the infection from spreading.
Are Dental Emergencies Covered by Insurance?
Because there are a wide variety of emergencies that can occur, it’s difficult to know whether your insurance covers your dental issue without examining your mouth. In most cases, dental insurance plans will cover your treatment partially, but this will all depend on your plan and the emergency that occurred. The best way to know with certainty is to visit Dr. Beliveau. He will carefully check your smile before developing a treatment plan. From there, our experienced front desk team can maximize your insurance benefits to minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Why Does Putting a Loose Tooth in Milk Help?
If you cannot place a loose tooth back in its original socket, we recommend placing it in a secure container with milk or water and then heading to an emergency dentist. Why milk? It is much easier to successfully reattach a loose tooth if the roots have been kept moist. While water helps, milk contains proteins that stimulate the growth of tooth root cells and prevents roots from swelling or becoming further damaged.
What is a Dental Emergency First Aid Kit?
At home, at the dental office, even when you’re picking up the kids from school – dental emergencies can happen when you least expect it. While you cannot always prevent the unexpected, you can plan for it by preparing a small first aid kid specifically designed to respond to dental trauma.
A dental emergency first aid kit can be kept in the glove compartment of your car, in the desk drawer at work, or even in your purse and should contain:
- Small container with a secure lid
- A small bottle of acetaminophen
- Gauze
- Handkerchief
- Contact information for an emergency dentist in North Andover
Can Common Pain Medication Help During an Emergency?
Yes, over-the-counter pain medication can offer some temporary relief from pain caused by dental trauma. However, painkillers are not a substitute for proper professional dental care during an emergency.
If you are experiencing bleeding inside your mouth, opt for pain medication that contains acetaminophen. Why? Both aspirin and ibuprofen actually thin out your blood, so taking these medications if you have cut your lip, tongue or the inside of your mouth can actually end up causing extra bleeding.
Remember, while taking over-the-counter pain medication can temporarily ease your discomfort, it is not a permanent solution. You should visit an emergency dentist as soon as you can if you have experienced a dental injury or accident.
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