Emergency Dentistry Owings Mills

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Treating a dental injury requires knowing the root cause of the problem and which service is likely to fix the problem the best. This can only be accomplished with the help of a qualified emergency dentist in Owings Mills. Dr. Mattson and our team will need to evaluate your case and identify the most effective way to alleviate pain and achieve a damage-free smile.

This detailed process will lend different results for you as opposed to another patient, which means the cost will vary based on a few unique factors, such as:

• The type of injury and severity of damage
• The location of the affected tooth or gum tissues
• Whether sedation will be required in addition to local anesthesia
• Whether a custom restoration is necessary based on the type of restorative treatment selected

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

There is a good chance that your dental plan will look a bit different than another patient’s, but the common link between many policies is that most dental insurance companies will provide coverage for dental emergencies. In fact, some even include one free emergency exam each year.

The real savings come when our team determines the type of restorative care you will need. Depending on the proposed service, your plan may provide anywhere from 50-80% coverage for dental fillings, crowns, root canals, tooth extractions, and more.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

At Diamond Dental of Owings Mills, we are pleased to offer alternative payment options if you do not have a private dental insurance plan. Instead of choosing to forgo timely treatment, you can enroll in our dental savings plan and take advantage of valuable discounts on multiple treatment options.

You can also sign up for CareCredit flexible financing, which offers eligible enrollees low- or no-interest payment plans with no surprise fees. Instead of paying out of pocket, all at once, you can manage your monthly installments according to your budget, paying it off over time.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Not all dental injuries are avoidable; however, for those that stem from poor oral hygiene, unhealthy habits, or irregular dental checkups and cleanings, these issues can be prevented by taking better care of your oral health. This includes seeing your dentist every six months, practicing healthy brushing and flossing habits at home, giving up smoking and other harmful habits, and eating healthy, nutritious foods instead of those consisting of sugars and starches.

Lowering your risk of dental decay, cavities, and gum disease not only decreases the amount you will spend on restorative care but also allows you to devote more time to family, friends, work, and school as opposed to regularly visiting your emergency dentist’s office.

Implement an Oral Hygiene Routine At Home

Although enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, that doesn’t mean it’s completely invincible. Bacteria in your mouth can produce acids that erode your enamel, or form plaque along your gumline that can cause disease.

Thankfully, brushing and flossing twice daily removes harmful germs and buildup that helps your grin resist periodontal problems, cavities, or other damage.

Schedule Routine Checkups and Cleanings

It’s easy to think that if you clean your mouth regularly and don’t see any obvious issues, your smile must be healthy. However, even those who are dedicated to their at-home dental hygiene routine might develop cavities or gum disease in difficult-to-see spaces, like between teeth or behind their molars, and not know.

Dr. Mattson and the rest of our team in Owings Mills have the experience and advanced technology necessary to quickly identify and treat any areas of concern before they progress into more urgent problems.

Eat Wholesome Foods

Your diet can significantly impact your oral health in several ways. For instance, eating sugary snacks attracts bacteria that can hurt your teeth or gums, and too many acidic foods can erode your enamel.

Meanwhile, increasing your consumption of dairy products, which contain calcium, can help build and maintain strong teeth and bones. Also, plenty of citrus fruits and leafy greens have high vitamin C content for healthier connective tissues.

Protect Your Grin

Athletes and others who participate in close-contact sports or activities are prone to sustaining injuries, like taking a blow to the face, that can chip, crack, break, or dislodge a tooth or lacerate the tender tissues inside your mouth. Our team can provide a mouthguard to shield your smile from the force of such an injury.

Similarly, if you suffer from bruxism (chronic teeth grinding) we can design a custom-fitted nightguard to cushion your upper and lower arches from the extra pressure generated by constantly clenching.

Try Not to Use Teeth as Tools

Have you ever opened a letter or plastic packaging with your teeth? This might seem harmless, but your pearly whites aren’t intended to be used in this capacity. You might damage your enamel or cut your gums, resulting in an emergency dental visit. That means taking a few extra moments to locate a letter opener or pair of scissors can potentially prevent an urgent issue.