PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DENTIST WATERFORD
Same-Day Emergency Dentistry to Ease the Pain
Dr. Joe never wants his growing patients to have to live with pain for any longer than absolutely necessary, which is why he always tries to fit his patients’ emergency visits on the same day their parents’ call. From tooth extractions to pulp treatment, we’re able to complete a variety of procedures right here in house. We also have an extensive referral network if more specialized care is needed, but we can still help with the pain in most cases. Call us immediately if your child is experiencing a dental emergency in Waterford.
Why Choose Son Shine Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Emergency Dentistry?
- Safe Children’s Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- We Accept & Maximize Dental Insurance
- Friendly, Warm, & Welcoming Dental Team
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
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Call Us
If your child is ever experiencing oral pain, our team can help. Call us immediately so we can schedule a same-day appointment. Our team can also provide you with first aid guidance over the phone to help make your little one more comfortable until you both reach our office.
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Emergency
Oral ExamWhen you arrive, Dr. Joe will begin by conducting a thorough examination of your child’s teeth and gums and asking about any symptoms they’re experiencing. Based on this information, our team may also take X-rays.
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Treatment
PlanningAfter reviewing all of the diagnostic information and completing a thorough evaluation, Dr. Joe will diagnose the issue at-hand and develop a treatment plan to help restore your favorite smile.
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Receive
TreatmentDepending on our schedule and what type of treatment your child needs, we may be able to complete it the same day, or we may need to schedule it for a different day. Of course, our team will provide you with more information before you leave our office.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
When your child has a dental emergency, the last thing you want to worry about is your budget. However, many parents fear that they won’t be able to afford the services needed to protect and preserve their kid’s smile. Once Dr. Joe can examine their condition, our team will provide a detailed estimate of the treatments required. Then, we’ll walk you through the information to gain your approval before proceeding.
Continue reading to understand more about how the cost of your child’s dental emergency is determined, and feel free to contact us for additional information.
Every Dental Emergency is Unique
It’s almost impossible to predict what will be needed to address your child’s issue until you arrive at our office. This is because we don’t yet know the extent of the harm done or how to repair it. Some issues can be handled effectively with simple solutions, like tooth-colored fillings or prescription mouthwash. Others require more involved procedures, like a root canal and dental crown, that have associated fees.
Our team always takes the time to review all the treatment options with you so you know what to expect from your final invoice when it comes.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Many dental insurance policies indeed include some form of coverage for different emergencies. For instance, it’s common for them to cover an annual exam and imaging or offer anywhere from 50% to 80% reimbursement on smile-saving treatments like extractions, root canals, and restorations.
However, every plan is different, so it’s worth checking the details of yours. There may be other restrictions you need to be aware of, too, like a waiting period that must pass before advantages kick in. Please let us know if you’re unsure where or how to find the information. Our friendly office staff is familiar with many different providers and can help you maximize your benefits.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Our team understands that not everyone carries dental insurance, which can add a layer of anxiety to treating your child’s dental emergency. We don’t want you to worry unnecessarily, so we also accept Medicaid so that your little one can receive the care they need to protect their still-developing smile.
If you’re still concerned about the pricing of the involved treatments, don’t hesitate to call us. We’re happy to discuss the options with you so that you know exactly what’s involved in the different procedures and what the expected out-of-pocket costs will be.
Proper Prevent Prevents Potential Emergencies
Although some urgent scenarios are unavoidable, most dental emergencies are due to untreated decay, disease, or infection. Investing in routine checkups and cleanings every 6 months allows Dr. Joe to monitor your child’s development so we can catch and treat any areas of concern early on. Regular visits can help your family avoid pitfalls that require more expensive and invasive procedures.
That means that if you’ve noticed that your child seems to be in pain or has an oral issue, contacting us right away can help you conserve resources later!
Keys to Preventing Kid’s Dental Emergencies
As we mentioned above, Dr. Joe will do everything he can to see your child the same day if they are in pain. As their dentist, he also wants to prevent toothaches, chipped teeth, loose fillings, and other common dental injuries altogether. That’s why we’re sharing a few keys to preventing kid’s dental emergencies in this next section!
Schedule Dental Visits Every Six Months
Routine dental visits are important for several reasons, starting with the fact that they allow us to remove plaque and tartar from your child’s teeth and clean the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth. They also ensure that Dr. Joe catches cavities and other common oral health problems in the early stages, before they require emergency dental care. So, if it has been more than six months since your child’s last visit, it’s time to get their next appointment on the calendar!
Reinforce Good Oral Hygiene Habits At Home
Although you can’t make your child brush their teeth at school or at a friend’s house, you can reinforce good oral hygiene habits at home! We recommend starting with the basics, like brushing for two full minutes each morning and flossing each night. Then, incorporate other best practices, like replacing their toothbrush every three or four months. If your little one isn’t a fan of brushing and flossing, do what you can to make it fun, like playing an entertaining video or upbeat music!
Keep Added Sugar to a Minimum
Although delicious, foods and drinks with added sugar can cause cavities if consumed in excess. That’s why it’s so important that you keep caramel-filled candies, ice cream, lollipops, and soda to a minimum. Instead, focus on finding foods that they like and that are smile-friendly. Plain yogurt, bananas, scrambled eggs, and roasted carrots are great ones to start with!
Have a Custom Mouthguard Made for Sports
Does your child play sports? Whether they play on their school’s football team, they play soccer after school, or they enjoy skateboarding or rollerblading with their friends, they need to wear a mouthguard. Not a one-size-fits-all mouthguard either; a custom mouthguard that fits comfortably and protects their teeth and gums. If they don’t have one, let our pediatric dental team near Waterford know. We can have one made for them!
Break Bad Dental Habits
Your child biting their nails, chewing on ice cubes, or putting the back of their pen or pencil in their mouth may seem harmless. However, habits like these can cause their enamel to chip or crack, resulting in considerable pain. That’s why it’s crucial to redirect them. For example, if they bite their nails when they are worried, offer them a stress ball or some sugar-free gum instead!