Emergency Kids’ Dentistry – Towson, MD
Get Help for Your Child’s Smile Quick
Dental emergencies strike fast and unexpectedly, often leaving your child in a lot of pain or with badly damaged teeth. Call our dental office immediately to set up an appointment for your little one if they need emergency kids' dentistry in Towson, MD. We will address their immediate pain, figure out the source of the problem, and devise a treatment plan, so your little one can continue to enjoy a healthy, functional smile as they continue to grow up.
Why Choose Kids Dental Space for Emergency Kids’ Dentistry?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Complete Pediatric Dental Care in One Location
- Dentist That Helps Nervous Children Feel at Ease
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
- Schedule a Same-Day Appointment: Time is of the essence in any dental emergency. We will schedule a same-day appointment for your little one whenever possible. After-hour and weekend emergency appointments are available for patients that need them.
- Perform a Comprehensive Exam: A detailed emergency examination is performed to figure out what’s causing the emergency and evaluate how bad the damage is. If your child is in severe, immediate discomfort, we’ll make it our priority to get them out of it.
- Review Findings: After gaining a clear understanding of what your child needs, we’ll explain your treatment options as well as the costs associated with them. You’ll be given all the information you need to make the best decision.
- Get Your Child the Care They Need: Our team will keep your child calm and comfortable while we give them the treatment they need, whether that means placing a filling or performing pulp therapy.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Sometimes it’s hard to tell what is or isn’t an emergency. If you have any doubts, call our dental office and let us know what symptoms your child has; we’ll advise you on the best next steps to take. Below is a list of common reasons why you might need to make an emergency appointment at Kids Dental Space.
Understanding the Cost of Children’s Dental Emergencies
You probably won’t be thinking of the cost too much when you’re still dealing with the shock of your child’s dental emergency, but once treatments start being discussed, you may have concerns about whether you’ll be able to afford emergency care. Rest assured that we only ever recommend treatments that are truly needed for your child’s specific emergency, and we’ll be transparent about the costs upfront. We’ll also make sure that you’re fully aware of your payment options.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Naturally, the specific details of your child’s situation can influence the total cost of their care. Some dental emergencies are fairly simple, whereas others require complex treatment. For example, a minor chip in a tooth might call for some dental bonding, whereas extensive damage might bring about the need for an extraction or crown.
After we examine your child’s mouth, we will recommend a treatment plan and make sure you understand the costs associated with each option. We always aim to be as straightforward as possible so there are no unpleasant surprises when you pay your child’s care bill.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Children’s Dental Emergencies?
Many dental insurance plans completely cover the cost of one emergency exam each year. As for the treatments that may be required, coverage levels can vary. Generally, minor services, such as fillings, are up to 80% covered, whereas more extensive treatments might be 50% covered. Our team welcomes insurance, and we will be happy to help you figure out how your policy applies. We are even in-network with many popular insurance companies.
Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money
Circumstances are unpredictable, so there is no way to completely eliminate the possibility of a dental emergency for your child. However, if you take some practical steps, you can reduce their risk of a severe oral health problem and save yourself some money in the process.
For example, you should be sure that your child attends a checkup every six months or so. Our team can spot most dental issues while they are still in their early stages, before they lead to an emergency.
You should also encourage your child to develop good habits. Try to instill in them the importance of thorough oral hygiene and smart food choices from a very young age. You should also make sure they have a high-quality mouthguard if they play sports.
Would you like to learn more about children’s emergency dentistry and the costs associated with it? Get in touch with our team today — we will be happy to speak with you!
Keys to Preventing Children’s Dental Emergencies
Accidents sometimes happen on the playground or while playing sports. If you find yourself in this situation with your child, then don’t hesitate to contact our Haverhill dental team to schedule an emergency appointment. Of course, as their dental team, we also want to prevent common dental injuries, like chipped, cracked, and knocked-out teeth. That’s why we’re sharing keys to preventing children’s dental emergencies below!
Stick to a Solid Oral Hygiene Regimen
Without a solid oral hygiene regimen in place, it will only be a matter of time until your child starts to experience persistent sensitivity, bleeding gums, toothaches, and other abnormal dental symptoms. So, make sure that your child is brushing and flossing at least twice a day (or that you’re brushing for them if they aren’t old enough to use a toothbrush on their own yet). If you ever have questions for us about their oral health, including which products to use or how to make dental care fun for them, let us know!
Schedule a Dental Checkup and Cleaning Biannually
Routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings are important for patients of all ages, but they are especially important for children. After all, it’s difficult to clean the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth as their fine motor skills are developing. The good news is that our dental team near Haverhill can provide a gentle, thorough cleaning every six months. Not only that, but we can catch problems like cavities early on – before emergency care is needed.
Get a Custom Mouthguard for Sports
If your child plays football, basketball, or any other contact sport, then there’s a good chance that they already have a mouthguard. However, it’s equally as important for children to wear one during non-contact sports, like skateboarding and rollerblading. That way, if they accidentally fall, their teeth and gums are protected from the impact, lowering their risk of experiencing a serious dental injury, like a knocked-out tooth.
Keep Added Sugar to a Minimum
This one can seem nearly impossible if your child, like many others, loves sugar. However, this sweetener is one of the leading causes of cavities, which is why it’s crucial that lollipops, ice cream, and similar treats are kept to a minimum. The good news is that fruits like bananas, apples, and strawberries are naturally sweet, and they are packed with essential nutrients that benefit their oral and overall health.
Help Break Bad Habits
Habits like nail-biting may seem harmless, but they can actually lead to serious damage. For this reason, we encourage patients to help their child break bad habits, including chewing on ice cubes, biting the back of their pencil, and using their teeth to open things. If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask us at your child’s next checkup!
Dental Emergency FAQs
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
Throbbing tooth pain is likely to be a sign of a severe infection or inflammation within the tooth. This can happen due to cracks or tooth decay exposing the inner dental structures to air and the oral environment, resulting in bacterial infections of the pulp that can be severely painful. However, throbbing tooth pain may also be the result of chronic teeth grinding and clenching.
Will a toothache go away on its own?
Toothaches do not usually go away on their own. If your kid has severe tooth pain, it’s best to schedule the child for an emergency appointment so the team at Kids Dental Space can make sure that nothing is wrong. Since a toothache can be potentially caused by many factors, it’s important to have Dr. Clarke determine the actual source of the problem as soon as possible. Addressing the issue early can prevent serious oral health complications such as secondary oral infections and tooth loss. However, some toothaches that are caused by inflammation of the gum tissue supporting the tooth may go away on their own.
What if my child’s toothache suddenly disappears?
If your child’s severe toothache seemingly disappears after several days, it is quite likely that the problem has only gotten worse. This ceasing of pain is probably due to the nerve in the infected pulp dying, which prevents it from sending distress signals to the brain. If this severe infection is not resolved promptly, it may spread to other areas of the mouth. It’s best to see a dentist for treatment as soon as possible if your child has a toothache even if the pain seems to disappear.
Can a chipped tooth heal on its own?
While dental enamel is the hardest material in the human body, it does not have the ability to heal on its own. The only way to repair or restore a chipped tooth is through restorative dental treatment. Though chipped teeth will not repair themselves, their remaining enamel can replace lost material through the process of remineralization, which can help keep a tooth strong even if it will not address the chip.
Is a knocked-out baby tooth a dental emergency?
While baby teeth should fall out on their own when your child is ready, it is possible for them to be lost early due to injury or infection, and the premature loss of baby teeth can lead to the early eruption and misalignment of adult teeth. While you shouldn’t try to put your child’s tooth back in their open socket, it’s best to schedule them for an exam at our office if you suspect that it didn’t fall out due to natural oral development. However, head to the emergency room if your child’s bleeding does not stop or if you believe their jaw is damaged.