When Is A Dental Emergency An Emergency?

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When To Go To The Dentist Immediately (Serious Emergencies)

Severe Pain: Severe dental pain is a sure sign of injury or infection -- a signal telling you to see a dentist right away.
Broken Tooth: If you've fractured a tooth and the crack has gone deeper, reaching the underlying dentin or pulp, you should see a dentist immediately.
Knocked-Out Tooth: Whether or not your tooth will successfully be reimplanted is directly related to how quickly you're able to get to the dentist.

When To Go To The Dentist Promptly (Minor Emergencies)

Objects Lodged Between The Teeth: Try to gently remove the object with dental floss, but never use a sharp instrument because you may chip a tooth or cut your gums. If you can't floss it out, visit your dentist.
Lost Or Broken Filling: If it's painful, use an over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen until you can see your dentist.
Chipped Tooth: Try to be seen as soon as possible so the fracture will not deepen. The dentist can determine if the tooth needs to be capped or filled, and make sure the fracture does not deepen.

What Should I Do To Prevent And Prepare For Dental Emergencies?

Make sure your dentist's telephone number is readily available. Find out your dentist's 24-hour on-call arrangements, especially if you have kids. Know what hospital emergency room you will choose if you have a severe dental emergency or can't get to a dentist.

Use mouth guards, helmets, and face masks when playing sports. Make sure your child's coach or sports group leader knows how to handle dental emergencies.

If you or your child have dental caps, bridges, dentures, or implants, note it on your emergency ID card. Even better, become a member of a discount dental plan of which will enable you in her family to receive large discounts on emergency dental services

Avoid eating and drinking in a moving car, and always use your safety belt.

Healthcare Savings Tip-Of-The-Week
As much as 50% of doctor or hospital bills contain mistakes that end up costing you money, says Jane Cooper, president of Patient Care, a Milwaukee consumer-advocacy group. As many as eight out of 10 hospital bills contain errors, increasing the tab by 25% on average. Keep a log of every test and medication you get, and check it against your medical file, which you can order from the hospital's billing office. If you spot an error, send a certified letter requesting a corrected bill, and a copy of all documentation to your insurer.

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