Emergency Dentist – Greeley, CO 

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed during a dental emergency, but do your best not to panic. No matter what kind of situation you or a loved one is facing, whether it be a broken tooth or a horrible toothache, pick up the phone and contact our Greeley dental office without delay. From there, here’s how you can expect us to treat your dental emergency:

• We’ll schedule your same-day appointment: Upon receiving your call, our team will do everything in their power to accommodate your emergency visit ASAP. We can also provide guidance and first-aid tips over the phone for added benefit.
• You’ll get an emergency exam with Dr. Cure: As soon as you arrive, your Greeley emergency dentist will see you right away. They’ll start by alleviating your pain and investigating your situation to determine its source and extent.
• We’ll review the findings and make a treatment plan: Once you’re out of pain and can think clearly, we’ll review our findings with you and help you explore your restorative options. You’ll always know an estimate of the length and cost before we begin.
• You’ll get the care you need right away: Whether you need a filling, root canal therapy, reimplantation of a knocked-out tooth, or something else entirely, we’ll get to work right away to repair the damage and bring back your smile’s full vitality.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

If you are experiencing bleeding that lasts for more than 10 minutes, swelling that’s hindering your breathing or swallowing, or if you suspect that your jaw may be broken, please proceed to your nearest emergency room right away. Once your condition is stable, Dr. Cure can meet with you to discuss treatment for any teeth that were damaged or lost altogether.

For all other types of dental emergencies, our team is here for you without reservation. You should always give us a call right away if you begin to experience painful or worrisome symptoms, even if you are unsure if you need urgent treatment or not. Below are some of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Greeley Complete Dentistry.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Want to prevent dental emergencies in Greeley? Maintaining a damage-free smile means being proactive when it comes to your oral health and lifestyle habits, which is why our team at Greeley Complete Dentistry is here to provide some helpful tips designed to better protect your teeth and gums. From keeping your six-month checkups and cleanings to wearing a mouthguard and watching what you eat, you can avoid a potential visit to your emergency dental office and instead, continue to live your best life with a healthier, happier smile.

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Every six months, you should come in for a regular dental checkup and cleaning. This will allow our team to examine your oral cavity for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, or cavities. We’ll also check for oral cancer. Our hygienist will even remove hardened plaque and tartar to minimize your risk for periodontal disease, which can destroy your gum tissue, teeth, and jawbone. By maintaining these twice-yearly visits, you can reduce your chances of developing the most common oral health problems that can often lead to complex and costly treatments.

Keep Brushing and Flossing

Are you practicing good oral habits at home? Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, flossing at least once throughout the day, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash will eliminate bad bacteria and prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar that cause decay and gum disease. By incorporating these steps into your daily routine, you’ll be less likely to develop painful toothaches that your emergency dentist in Greeley must fix.

Be Mindful What You Eat

Many common oral and overall health problems occur because of the foods you eat. Too much sugar and starch can be recipes for bad bacteria and harmful acids to eat away at your tooth enamel and attack your gums. However, making healthier choices like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, leafy greens, and those high in calcium and Vitamin C will strengthen your pearly whites while also improving the health of your soft oral tissues. Not to mention, your waistline will also thank you. This is a habit you can adopt for yourself as well as your family.

Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Teeth

Proper mouth protection is essential if you play sports. It is also beneficial if you suffer from bruxism and grind your teeth at night while you sleep. Whether it is physical activity or stress that puts your teeth and gums at risk, a customized mouthguard can better protect your smile and help you avoid the emergency dental office in Greeley. Not only does it absorb sudden pressure and force placed upon your mouth, but it also minimizes wear and tear to your tooth enamel and helps to relax your jaw joints and facial muscles.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Scissors, pliers, and other handheld tools are designed to open packages, containers, and additional objects, not your teeth. When you choose to bypass these items and use your teeth instead, you run a high risk of seriously damaging your pearly whites as well as lacerating your soft tissues. Your teeth are designed to tear through food, not plastic, paper, or other substances. Let the real tools do the work.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

No two dental emergencies are alike. Because all injuries vary in severity, the only way we can determine the cost of emergency dentistry in Greeley is to see you and evaluate your situation. We understand coming in to see a professional can be daunting, especially if you don’t know how much it will cost; however, putting it off will only cause your problem to worsen and result in more serious damage and costlier procedures. At Greeley Complete Dentistry, our team will work with you to identify ways to maximize your dental insurance benefits as well as discuss our in-house membership plan to help you save if you’re uninsured.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

A trip to see your emergency dentist in Greeley isn’t as expensive as you might think. We know the main thing on your mind is getting help for your sudden injury, but the good news is you won’t need to dole out a large sum of money just for an appointment. Don’t fall victim to the mindset that seeking professional help will only cause you to empty your pockets. Waiting to see if the problem clears on its own will only make matters worse.

It is likely that when you arrive, we’ll evaluate your case and recommend one of the following solutions:

• Antibiotics
• Dental fillings
• Dental crowns
• Root canal therapy
• Tooth extraction

No matter the chosen form of treatment, you can trust we will thoroughly explain the process as well as how much it will cost before we move forward. This will help you to better understand any out-of-pocket expenses and how best to approach the financial side of your dental emergency.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Most dental insurance companies provide coverage for one emergency exam each year. You’re advised to check with your insurance company beforehand just to make sure they do offer this service. Depending on the type of treatment you need, your insurance company may cover anywhere from 50-80% of the total cost if you’ve met your deductible. But be mindful that they will also consider how much of your annual maximum is left before agreeing to pay a designated amount for your treatment. Fortunately, our team at Greeley Complete Dentistry is here to make this process easy and stress-free.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

If you’re uninsured and worried that you’ll have to empty your savings account to afford necessary treatment, do not worry. We are pleased to provide our uninsured patients with another alternative – our in-house membership plan. By paying a yearly fee, you can avoid the red tape of dental insurance and instead, enjoy many of the great benefits that come with the services offered at our dental office. Our child and adult plans both offer one emergency exam as well as a 15% off discount on other procedures performed in-house.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

While not all dental emergencies are avoidable, many do not have to grow to severe levels. For example, if you have a nagging toothache but refuse to seek professional care, it will likely develop into a serious infection that requires more complex and extensive treatment. What could be originally treated with antibiotics can quickly progress into a problem that is only treatable with a root canal or tooth extraction.

Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits at home as well as committing to your six-month dental checkups and cleanings are two of the most important ways to keep your smile from suffering a serious injury or infection. As a result, you can save significantly throughout the year, avoiding restorative procedures that can be costly and result in a lifetime of maintenance (i.e., dental implants, dentures, dental bridges).

Dental Emergency FAQ’s 

Handling a dental emergency can be stressful, which is why we recommend contacting our office first so we can provide you with over-the-phone first-aid guidance and schedule an appointment for as soon as possible for you. For your convenience, our team at Greeley Complete Dentistry has answered some common questions that we receive from our patients below as well.

Should I Visit the ER or an Emergency Dentist?

Many people wonder whether their situation warrants a visit to their local ER or an emergency dentist. For most problems, including severe toothaches, knocked-out teeth, and oral pain, your emergency dentist is the best place to go, because they can provide you with specialized care you need. However, certain life-threatening issues may require medical treatment before visiting your emergency dentist to address underlying oral problems, including a fractured or broken jawbone, deep facial laceration due to trauma, or any issues that make it difficult for you to breathe or swallow. In these cases, it’s imperative to visit your ER first, then contact your emergency dentist in Greeley to address your dental needs.

Why Do I Have a Toothache & How Do I Get It to Go Away?

Toothaches are a common symptom of infections. However, they can also be caused by lodged pieces of debris between your teeth. The best way to rule this cause out is to gently maneuver a piece of dental floss between your teeth. If your pain persists and there aren’t any signs of a lodged object, then it’s likely caused by an infection hidden deep inside of your tooth. If it hasn’t progressed enough to put your tooth in danger of needing to be extracted, then we may be able to treat your pain and preserve your natural pearly white with root canal therapy. While you’re on your way to our office, you can also take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen to ease your discomfort.

Can I Wait to Call the Emergency Dentist?

Although waiting to visit your emergency dentist may sound like a cost-effective choice, it’ll likely cost you more down the road. When problems that are causing you pain and discomfort are left untreated, they’ll likely just go worse. For example, a toothache may be treated with a filling or root canal therapy initially, but if it’s left unaddressed because you think it might go away, you could end up needing an extraction and costly replacement instead. That’s why we recommend contacting your dentist in Greeley as soon as you notice anything out-of-the-ordinary!