EMERGENCY DENTIST FOR KIDS MURPHY
Hurting Tooth? We’ll Take Care of Your Child
Nothing is worse for a parent than seeing their child in pain, and this can be especially tricky when it comes to dental issues because there isn’t a lot you can do to help on your own. Fortunately, you can always call Bloom Pediatric Dentistry to get the immediate and effective relief they deserve from our emergency dentist for kids in Murphy. We won’t make your child wait for treatment if they’re dealing with a toothache or knocked-out tooth…just give us a call, and we’ll get them in as soon as possible!
Why Choose Bloom Pediatric Dentistry for Children’s Emergency Dentistry?
- Led by Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- Accepts Most PPO Dental Insurances
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
For pediatric dental emergencies, the first thing you should do is give our team a call. Explain the situation as best you can, and we’ll walk you through what to do next. This may involve applying first-aid, and we’ll also let you know if you need to bring your child in immediately or at your earliest convenience based on the situation.
Once you arrive, we’ll perform an exam, take any necessary X-rays, and do everything we can to work quickly while exuding an air of calm so that your child isn’t scared. We’ll discuss our findings with you, go over their treatment options, and then perform any agreed-upon procedures after stopping their pain. Our goal is to always work efficiently in these situations, but we never rush!
Pulp Therapy & Root Canal Treatment Children's Tooth ExtractionsThe Most Common Dental Emergencies
Any dental problem that concerns your child counts as an emergency, right? While that might sound a bit overblown, the truth is that it’s better to be safe than sorry. You are always encouraged to give us a call if your child is experiencing new or unpleasant oral symptoms. Below, you’ll find a list of some of the most common problems we see on a daily basis (as well as how we deal with them).
Understanding the Cost of Kid’s Emergency Dentistry
It’s very common for parents to be a bit concerned when it comes to the cost. After all, dentistry has developed a reputation for being expensive over the years! Rest assured, our Murphy dental team will do what we can to help make navigating the financial side of your treatment stress-free. In this next section, you’ll find helpful information about what impacts the cost, if dental insurance covers a portion of it, and more.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
Typically, the emergency exam itself is a low, flat fee. The necessary restorative care, however, can vary widely. That’s because one child might need a tooth-colored filling and the next might need to have a knocked-out tooth saved. In fact, even if two children visit us with the same ailments, like a painful toothache, they might need two completely different treatments depending on the root of the problem and the extent of the damage. For that reason, we can’t provide you with an estimate of the cost (or even an accurate price range) until you bring them in for an exam.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Kid’s Dental Emergencies?
Sometimes, yes! While some providers cover the cost of an emergency exam, others cover that and 50% to 80% of the price of essential restorative care. Of course, other factors need to be considered as well, like annual maximums, which is why we strongly recommend taking a look at the fine print. If you need any help with this process, you’re more than welcome to ask us! We welcome the majority of PPO plans and can conduct a free benefits check so you know if you are responsible for anything out-of-pocket.
How Preventive Care Can Save You Money
Fortunately, the large majority of dental emergencies are preventable with the right best practices in place. For that reason, we strongly recommend reinforcing good habits with your child. A few examples include brushing twice a day, flossing as soon as they have two teeth that touch, and bringing them in for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning every six months. This will help keep their teeth and gums healthy, reducing their risk of tooth decay and other oral health problems in the process.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
The last thing you want is for your little one to wind up with a painful dental injury, right? Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help prevent that from happening. To learn what they are, keep reading!
Schedule a Dental Checkup and Cleaning Semi-Annually
Simply put, bringing your child in for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning twice a year is crucial. While the exam allows us to catch oral health problems, like cavities, early on, the teeth cleaning ensures that plaque and tartar are removed before trouble arises. Plus, these appointments are a great time to ask any questions you have, including which toothbrush is right for your child and how much toothpaste to use.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
Of course, maintaining a solid oral hygiene regimen at home is important too. We strongly recommend starting from an early age so that it’s something your child grows up with. Of course, if that didn’t happen, no worries – there’s no time like the present to encourage good habits like brushing twice a day and flossing between every two teeth that touch. This will go a long way in preventing common dental problems, like cavities.
Keep Added Sugar to a Minimum
Cupcakes, ice cream, candy, and soda may all be delicious, but they can wreak havoc on your child’s teeth and gums. For that reason, we strongly recommend keeping foods and drinks with added sugar to a minimum in an effort to prevent tooth decay. Instead, encourage your child to eat a well-balanced diet filled with fresh fruits, cooked vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein. Not only will this protect their teeth and gums from harm, but it will also benefit their overall health!
Get a Mouthguard for Sports
Whether your child plays on their school’s soccer team, they participate in football with their friends at the park on the weekends, or they prefer a solo sport, like skateboarding, they should wear a mouthguard. That way, their smile is protected from rogue balls, accidental elbows to the face, and bad falls.
Note: If your child doesn’t currently have a mouthguard, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. We can have a custom one made that provides maximum protection but also fits comfortably.
Discourage Unhealthy Dental Habits
Over the years, your child might develop an unhealthy habit or two, like biting their nails. Although it might not seem like a big deal, it can negatively impact the condition of their teeth and gums. For that reason, we recommend re-directing their behavior. So, if they bite their nails when they are stressed, give them a stress ball to squeeze instead!
Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs
Will my child’s toothache go away on its own?
If your child’s toothache is persistent, it’s likely that it won’t go away on its own. We advise not waiting to see an emergency pediatric dentist in Murphy in these situations. In many cases, the more time that goes by, the worse the problem gets. Dr. Nelson and Dr. JoJo can help provide your little one with much-needed relief and protect their affected tooth from further damage.
Should I worry about my child’s chipped tooth if it doesn’t hurt them?
Chipped teeth are one of the most common dental injuries that we treat here at Bloom Pediatric Dentistry. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as one in four children experience some type of dental injury. If the damage is very minor and isn’t causing your little one pain, it should be fine to wait a little bit to get the issue addressed. However, we do recommend a checkup to make sure that the damage isn’t going to compromise their oral health.
If the damage is more severe and causes them discomfort or dental sensitivity, call our office to schedule a same-day visit. Our team can help repair their damaged tooth with non-invasive methods like dental bonding to seal off the nerve inside of it. This will help preserve their tooth until it’s ready to fall out on its own.
Is a knocked-out baby tooth a dental emergency?
Baby teeth are meant to fall out on their own, but if they become dislodged due to an accident, we recommend bringing your child in for an examination. Dr. JoJo or Dr. Nelson will make sure that it isn’t going to disrupt their dental alignment or the eruption of their permanent teeth. If it is, a space maintainer may be recommended to prevent orthodontic issues from arising down the road.
Is a cavity a dental emergency?
Cavities aren’t the type of dental issue that develop overnight, or even over the course of several weeks. They gradually form over months, which is why our team at Bloom Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child in every six months for a checkup and cleaning. At these visits, we can determine whether we see the early signs of decay and treat them before they have an opportunity to cause discomfort or permanent damage to your child’s smile.
If your child’s cavity gets to the point where it’s causing them sensitivity or pain, it’s a good idea to call our office so we can see them before the issue progresses and causes even more damage.
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