Pediatric Emergency Dentist – Danville, CA
Quick Care for Your Child’s Smile
It can be very frightening to realize that your child has a dental emergency, but there’s no need to panic; Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Danville offers 24-hour urgent care for knocked-out teeth, toothaches, and other issues that require immediate attention. Dental emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, but no matter what the situation, our goal is always to stop your little one’s pain and bring their smile back to normal when your visit our pediatric emergency dentist in Danville, CA.
Why Choose Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Danville for Pediatric Emergency Dentistry?
- 24-Hour Same-Day Emergency Care
- Sedation Available for Anxious Patients
- Dental Insurance Welcome
How We Handle Dental Emergencies
When you call with a dental emergency, we’ll give you some first aid advice before scheduling a same-day emergency appointment for your child. Once you arrive at our dental office, we’ll take steps to get your child out of their immediate pain, and we’ll perform a thorough examination to figure out the true cause of the emergency. We’ll explain your treatment options in full detail so that you can be sure your child is getting the right kind of care.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Listed below are some of the most common dental emergencies that children might experience at some point (along with tips on how to handle them). The best course of action in any of these scenarios is to call our dental office immediately so that your child gets the help they need as soon as possible.
Toothaches
Chipped
Tooth
Knocked-Out
Tooth
Lost Filling
Loose
Tooth
Gum Injury
Orthodontic
Injury
Understanding the Cost of Pediatric Emergency Dentistry
Like other parents, you might be interested in learning the cost (or as much as you can about the cost) ahead of time. However, we can only give you an estimate of the cost of your child’s emergency treatment once we’ve examined their teeth in person. In the meantime, you can read on to learn more on the topic, including if dental insurance usually covers a portion of the price.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
In short, the price is different because every situation is different! That’s why the emergency exam is so important. Once we know the nature and extent of the problem, we can figure out what procedures might be necessary and what costs are involved. At this time, we’ll also explain your treatment options (as well as how much you can expect to pay for them) in detail before we begin your child’s emergency care.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?
Oftentimes, dental insurance providers do cover a portion of the cost of emergency dental care. So, if you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to read through the fine print on your plan to familiarize yourself with your child’s benefits. If you have any questions, you’re more than welcome to reach out to our Danville dental team. After all, we’re in-network with most insurances, and we’ll work with you to make sure you get the most out of your benefits. Plus, we’re always a phone call away if you have any questions!
Other Options for Making Kid’s Dental Emergencies Affordable
Of course, not all patients have dental insurance. The good news is that our team at Main Street Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Danville welcomes flexible financing with CareCredit as well! This trusted third-party financier offers multiple payment plans, and several have little-to-no interest attached. As a result, you can space out the cost of your child’s emergency dental care over the course of several months instead of having to pay for their entire treatment in one lump sum.
How Taking Care Of Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money
One of the easiest ways to prevent dental injuries (and lower your dental bills) is by prioritizing preventive care! We strongly recommend reinforcing good oral hygiene habits, like brushing twice a day and flossing daily. We also encourage parents to bring their children in for a checkup and cleaning twice a year so harmful plaque and tartar don’t accumulate. At these routine appointments, we will also provide feedback on how to improve your child’s at-home oral hygiene regimen, what products they should be using, when to introduce mouthwash, and more. Simply put, preventive care is extremely important when it comes to the health of your child’s smile and the health of your wallet!
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
The best way to set your kid on the path to a lifetime of excellent dental health is to get them started early on proper oral hygiene. It’s always better to prevent dental emergencies rather than repair the damage they cause, and taking your child in for regular checkups and ensuring that they develop proper hygiene habits can save your family a lot of time, money, and suffering in the long run. Here are a few tips for minimizing your child’s risk of having a dental emergency, but feel free to contact our staff if you have any questions.
Make Sure Your Child Gets Two Checkups a Year
A child should start coming to our office in Danville for checkups by their first birthday or when they receive their first tooth. This will allow Dr. Santiago to monitor their oral health and prevent or correct oral health problems in their early stages. These checkups can help your child avoid the serious health consequences of gum disease, tooth decay, and other oral infections.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home
It’s important to teach your child that brushing and flossing are absolutely essential for removing food residue and harmful oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Children should use fluoridated toothpaste and begin using antibacterial mouthwash when they are six years old.
Be Careful with Your Child’s Diet
Sugary or acidic foods can cause tooth decay by eroding the enamel of your child’s smile, which can leave their teeth weakened and overly sensitive. Make sure your child enjoys a diet full of healthy foods with nutrients like protein and fiber that help their teeth and gums stay in good shape.
Protect Their Smile with a Mouthguard
A mouthguard can protect your child’s smile from damage caused by sports injuries and bruxism. These appliances are designed to cushion teeth to protect them from damage, and they can be a great investment even if your children’s sporting organization doesn’t enforce their use. We offer customized athletic mouthguards that deliver superior protection when compared to store-bought models.
Teach Your Kids That Teeth Aren’t Tools!
Kids don’t always know what’s good for them, and many of them unknowingly abuse their teeth by chewing on found objects or using them to open packages or bottles. Teach your child that their teeth are intended for eating and smiling and that using them for anything else can lead to painful injuries. This can prevent damage like chips, cracks, fractures, and even lost teeth.
Pediatric Dental Emergency FAQs
Will my child’s toothache go away on its own?
In some cases, a toothache that involves pain or irritation in the gum around the tooth will go away on its own. However, this is not the case with every toothache, so it’s best to schedule your child for a dental checkup if they have one to ensure that nothing is wrong. While toothaches can be caused by many factors, it’s best to have them examined by a dental professional as soon as possible to eliminate the possibility of further damage. Treating these issues early can resolve them before they can become more serious.
How can I help my child sleep with tooth pain?
There are a few ways to help a child sleep with a toothache. Firstly, keep their head elevated, as this will reduce blood flow to the head that can put more pressure on the troubled tooth. You can also give them over-the-counter medication or a cold compress to reduce pain and swelling and avoid feeding them foods that are cold, hard, or acidic before bed.
Do chipped teeth heal?
While enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it does not grow back on its own, meaning that chipped teeth will not heal regardless of the severity of the injury. While enamel can replace lost minerals over time, it cannot replace lost structure. This makes restorative dental treatments necessary to return an injured or decayed tooth to its original appearance and function.
What does throbbing tooth pain mean?
If your child reports a throbbing toothache, it is likely caused by infection or inflammation within the tooth. This can happen if tooth decay advances through the enamel and dentin layers until it reaches the pulp or if this tissue is exposed due to a severe injury. In either case, the distressed nerve endings in the pulp will send pain signals to the brain. In some cases, throbbing dental pain can result from chronic teeth grinding or clenching.
Are knocked-out baby teeth a dental emergency?
Since baby teeth are supposed to fall out eventually, don’t try to place them back into their sockets. However, it can be a great idea to schedule a dental appointment to check for problems if you think your child’s baby tooth fell out too soon. In cases of premature loss of baby teeth, the permanent teeth can erupt early, which can lead to alignment issues down the road. If the socket won’t stop bleeding or if you believe your child’s jaw is damaged, take them to the emergency room.