Emergency Kids’ Dentistry – Palm Harbor, FL
Don’t Let Your Child Suffer from Dental Pain
Over the years, Dr. Maggie and Dr. Lorielle have seen all kinds of accidents and infections that have led to injured or decayed teeth. Call our dental office immediately if your child breaks a tooth, suffers a severe toothache, or experiences any other kind of dental emergency that cannot wait. The sooner you act by calling us for emergency kids' dentistry in Palm Harbor, FL, the easier it will be for us to ensure that the accident doesn’t affect the long-term development of their permanent teeth.
Why Choose Dr. Maggie Davis & Associates for Emergency Kids’ Dentistry?
- Certified Pediatric Dentists with Experience in Treating Oral Injuries
- Relaxing Environment Helps Children Feel Safe
- 24/7 Emergency Phone Line
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Emergency Appointment: You should call our 24/7 emergency phone line the moment you realize that your child may require urgent dental care. After learning about your little one’s situation, we’ll give you any appropriate first-aid tips and make arrangements for you to visit us as soon as possible.
- Emergency Exam: We’ll work quickly to help your child find relief from immediate pain, and we’ll take a close look at their teeth and gums in order to learn as much as we can about what’s causing their emergency and how much damage has already been done.
- Review Findings: We’ll share the results of our exam with you and answer any questions you might have. Then we’ll explain what treatment options are available, how long they will take to complete, and how much you can expect them to cost.
- Get the Care Your Child Needs: A treatment plan will be created to help restore your child’s oral health and put a stop to any discomfort they may be suffering from. You can count on our team to carry out this treatment plan quickly and efficiently.
The Most Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies
If you think that your child is having a dental emergency but aren’t completely sure, we urge you to call our office to see what our team has to say based on your little one’s symptoms. Below are some particularly common examples of pediatric dental emergencies that we can treat.
Understanding the Cost of Pediatric Dental Emergencies
The cost of emergency dentistry in Palm Harbor cannot be determined until you bring your child in to see Dr. Maggie for treatment. While you might be tempted to rush them to the emergency room, the truth is that only certain situations (i.e., continuous bleeding from the mouth, broken or fractured jaw, or increased swelling) should have you visiting the ER first. You should also understand that when it comes to price, a normal visit to the ER can run between $400-$1,500 while visiting a pediatric dentist may only cost $90-$200.
As a parent, you’re going to want to do everything you can to get your child the help they need, but even if you’re concerned about being able to pay, you can trust our team to work with you to maximize your dental insurance benefits as well as provide alternative solutions to make emergency dentistry more affordable.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
No two cases are alike, which is why treatment recommendations will vary depending on the severity of your child’s dental emergency. In most situations, prescription mouthwash, a dental filling, or antibiotics can address the problem and improve their smile. Other cases require more extensive and complex care, such as pulp therapy or even tooth extraction.
No matter the type of treatment needed, your child’s emergency dentist in Palm Harbor will thoroughly explain the process and procedure as well as how much you can expect to pay for our team to take care of their dental emergency.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
You will need to review your dental insurance plan, but it’s worth noting that most insurance companies offer at least one emergency exam each year that is covered in full. Depending on the type of treatment your child will need, the amount your insurance will pay will likely range between 50-80% of the total cost. Your deductible and annual maximum will be considered before the insurance company agrees to pay anything toward treatment, so if you need help to identify how much you can expect your insurer to cover, don’t be afraid to ask our dental team.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Your child must receive emergency dental treatment as soon as possible to prevent permanent damage. After an emergency exam, we can provide a thorough list of needs and offer several payment options, including flexible payment plans through CareCredit. For those who don’t have insurance, our Palm Harbor Pediatric Smile Club offers a variety of plans that cover the costs of one emergency visit each year. For a low monthly fee, your child can receive basic dental care as well as 20% off all other treatments.
Taking Care of Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money
Your child’s smile deserves the best possible care. By making sure they see their pediatric dentist every six months for regular dental checkups and cleanings, as well as helping them maintain optimal oral habits at home, you can minimize their risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. While not all dental emergencies are avoidable, those that linger (i.e., toothache, sensitivity, etc.) can lead to serious oral health problems that can be prevented.
It is estimated that more than 51 million school hours are lost every year because children must seek treatment for dental problems. If you want to ensure your child’s academic success, you should take a proactive approach when it comes to their oral health.
Keys to Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Even relatively minor dental injuries can be painful to experience and stressful to handle, which is why it’s best to prevent them from happening altogether! The good news is that you can help your child avoid chipped, cracked, and knocked-out teeth with the right best practices in place. More specifically, we recommend:
Reinforce Healthy Habits At Home
A solid oral hygiene regimen is important for several reasons, starting with the fact that it’s one of the best ways to prevent cavities. That’s why we encourage our patients to brush twice a day and floss daily. If you’re unsure which products to use, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’d be happy to share our recommendations!
Important reminder: While your child is young, it’s best to monitor them, provide feedback, and share encouragement. This will go a long way in helping them pick up healthy habits.
Have a Mouthguard Made to Protect Their Smile
Does your child play soccer or football? Maybe they prefer a solo sport, like skateboarding or surfing. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to remember that all physical activities carry some degree of risk to the teeth. In other words, they need a mouthguard. At our office, we can have a custom one made. That way, it’s the appropriate thickness for the sport, it fits comfortably, and it isn’t a choking hazard.
Schedule a Dental Visit Twice a Year
Remember, even if your child takes good care of their smile at home, they need to come to our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Routine visits are important for several reasons, starting with the fact that they allow us to remove plaque and tartar that has built up. They also ensure that tooth decay and other common oral health problems are detected (and treated!) in the early stages.
Cut Back on Added Sugar
You’ve probably heard it countless times, but indulging in soda, ice cream, and other sweet treats too often can quickly lead to tooth decay. That’s why we encourage parents to provide healthy, well-balanced meals the majority of the time. Filling your child’s plate with seasonal fruits, fresh vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods will help keep their teeth and gums healthy throughout the years!
Help Break Harmful Habits
Of course, there are also a few things that your child should NOT do if they want to avoid a painful dental injury that requires same-day care from their emergency pediatric dentist in Palm Harbor. A few examples include chewing on ice cubes, biting their nails, and putting the back of their pen/pencil in their mouth. They also shouldn’t use their teeth to open things, like plastic wrapping.
Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs
Should I Take My Child to the ER for a Dental Emergency?
When your child is in pain, your knee-jerk reaction may be to go to the ER for immediate treatment. However, most hospitals or even urgent care facilities don’t have the equipment or training to handle dental emergencies. At most, they may be able to provide antibiotics or pain medication, but you will still have to visit a pediatric dentist for a long-term solution.
What Could Happen If I Wait to Treat a Dental Emergency?
Sometimes, such as when your child has a cold, they can eventually get better on their own without having to turn to a doctor. That is not the case with dental problems! A cavity or broken tooth is vulnerable to harmful bacteria and will only get worse over time. Not only can this give your child significant pain, but it can also impact their overall well-being and confidence. That’s why it’s important to treat the issue as soon as possible.
What Should I Do If My Child Is Bleeding from the Mouth or Suffers Soft Tissue Damage?
Hold clean gauze or a clean cloth at the site. The bleeding should subside within a couple of minutes. Afterward, you will still need to bring your child to our office. We’ll check to make sure there’s no additional damage to permanent teeth under the gum surface.
Can Root Canals Be Performed on Baby Teeth?
Yes. Although baby teeth are smaller and thinner, they still have the same layers, including a pulp, where the tooth’s nerve lives. If necessary, we can perform a root canal (also called pulp therapy) on a baby tooth to preserve it until it naturally falls out.
Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
It depends on your insurance plan and on the treatment needed to fix the problem. Many plans cover part of the cost of fillings, dental crowns, and other procedures. Contact your insurance provider to check your coverage, and our team will happily file claims on your behalf so that you can focus on getting your child well again. If you don’t have dental insurance for your child, we offer a savings plan that includes one emergency visit per year and a 20 percent discount on most of our restorative services.
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