While it’s always good to be prepared for whatever life can throw at you, there are some things that you have to take as they come. When it comes to oral healthcare, dental emergencies can strike at any time, and you might not always be ready for them.
If you don’t have dental insurance, you may be deeply concerned about what could happen if you wind up with a serious problem. You may be tempted to just endure the pain and hope it fades—here’s why that’s a really bad idea, and what you can do to get the care you need without insurance.
Why You Shouldn’t Let Dental Emergencies Be
If you’re like most people, you probably won’t even consider just going without treatment if you’re dealing with a dental emergency—the experience will be uncomfortable enough to send you to the dentist’s office. However, there are some people that make it a point of pride to go without dental care.
That’s a really bad idea. Many times, toothaches are the result of an infection that has crept deep within the tooth and has begun attacking nerve tissue. While the pain may eventually fade, that’s actually a sign that things have gotten worse; it means that enough nerve tissue has died that you can no longer feel your tooth.
If you have a fractured or split tooth, this damage will only get worse if left untreated, which may make you more susceptible to painful infection in the long run.
Paying for Care Without Insurance
That said, even if you want to get emergency care, you may not feel like that option is available to you without insurance.
However, most dentists want you to get the care you deserve, so they will be happy to discuss payment options with you if you ask. Many dental practices also offer deals periodically, so you can check if there’s one near you offering the care you need at a discount.
Finally, as a last resort you could always try the emergency room. While they won’t be able to treat your oral health problem, they’ll be able to offer you some pain relief that can make you more comfortable until you can make an emergency appointment.
About Our Practice
At Salmon Brook Dental, we know that everyone who visits our office has their own unique needs, so we make sure to get to know all of our patients on a personal level, to understand their specific goals, and to work with them to help them get the healthy smile they’re looking for. The only thing that stays the same between our patients is the quality of care that they get from us, which is always the best that it can be!
If you have any questions about dental emergencies, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (860) 653-4551.