Belchertown Emergency Dentistry
Urgent Dental Care When You Need It Most
Emergencies can strike when we least expect them, and while most people know what to do during a medical emergency,
what to do when you’re in need of urgent dental care isn’t always as clear. Luckily for patients at
Valley Dentists of Belchertown, we are here to help whenever you need us, and that includes making ourselves
available during dental emergencies. No matter what the problem is, we’re prepared to get you the relief you
deserve! If you’d like to learn more about our emergency dentistry services, continue reading or give our office a call today.
Why Choose Valley Dentists of Belchertown for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Emergency Appointments
- Multiple Financing Options Available
- Team Led by an Experienced Dentist
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Contact us right away. Whatever time you call us for a dental emergency, Dr. Medaugh or one of the other team members will get in touch with you within an hour. We’ll walk you through your situation to determine how quickly you’ll need to come in to see us and provide first-aid instructions over the phone to ensure your comfort and safety until you reach our office.
- Have an emergency exam. Once you get to us, we’ll conduct a thorough examination to identify the underlying cause. This process includes capturing X-rays to determine the extent of the problem. Using their findings, Dr. Medaugh will create a custom treatment plan to get your smile back on the right track.
- Get the care you need. We’ll work quickly to restore your oral health! Some common solutions for hurting teeth include fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, or extractions.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Understanding the Cost of Treating Dental Emergencies
When you’re in pain or dealing with a broken tooth, the last thing you want to worry about is how much it’s going to cost to fix it. At Valley Dentists of Belchertown, we believe emergency dental care should be fast, effective, and affordable. While the final cost depends on the type and severity of the emergency, we’ll guide you through all your options before moving forward. Dr. Medaugh and our team are here to relieve your discomfort and help you make confident, informed decisions about your care.
Every Dental Emergency Is Different
Not all dental emergencies are treated the same, which is why the cost can vary. For example, a simple toothache might only require antibiotics or a filling, while a knocked-out tooth could involve more complex procedures like dental implants.
During your emergency visit, Dr. M will carefully examine your mouth, diagnose the issue, and explain your treatment options. At our Belchertown practice, we focus on providing the right care at the right time. We’ll never recommend any unnecessary procedures, so you can be confident that you’ll get the relief you need without being nickel-and-dimed.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
In most cases, yes! Dental insurance helps cover the cost of emergency treatments by as much as 50 to 80 percent, depending on the issue. This coverage can include exams, X-rays, and procedures like extractions or crowns. However, the amount covered depends on your specific plan and provider, so it’s always best to check.
If you need help navigating your benefits, we’re happy to take a look with you and handle all the paperwork. That way, you can focus on feeling better instead of figuring out the best way to utilize your coverage.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
We understand that unexpected dental costs can be stressful. That’s why our dental practice in Belchertown offers several flexible payment solutions. For example:
- We accept cash, personal checks, and major credit cards
- Patients can enroll in a flexible payment plan
- Our dental membership plan offers discounted rates on many services
- We also work with CareCredit, which allows you to break costs into monthly payments
No one should have to put off care due to a bending budget. If you don’t know what to do, talk to our team. We’re here to help make emergency treatment stress-free and accessible.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
Preventive care is one of the smartest ways to avoid costly dental emergencies. Regular checkups, cleanings, and early treatment of small issues are a much smaller price to pay for good oral health!
At Valley Dentists of Belchertown, we encourage proactive dental habits to protect both your health and your wallet. Dr. M and our team will help you spot trouble early, often before you ever even feel any pain. Investing in your oral health today can save you from discomfort, stress, and bigger bills tomorrow. A healthy smile is always worth it!
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
In many cases, dental emergencies can’t be avoided. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk for dental emergencies, including:
- Keep up with your at-home hygiene routine, which should include two minutes of brushing twice a day and flossing at least once each day
- Visit us for dental exams and teeth cleanings twice each year
- Wear mouthguards during athletic competitions and practices to protect teeth from nighttime teeth grinding and clenching
- Do not use teeth to open packages or crack nuts
- Stop chewing on hard objects like ice, fingernails, and pen caps
Dental Emergency FAQs
When a dental emergency strikes, your first thought might be to panic or go to the emergency room. However, Valley Dentists of Belchertown encourage you to call our office if you need help dealing with a dental emergency. Of course, if you have additional questions about how to handle current or future dental emergencies, take a look at our frequently asked questions section for guidance! If your question isn’t listed, we’re always just a phone call away!
When should I go to the hospital instead?
While our office is largely equipped to handle a variety of dental emergencies, there are some issues that should be handled by an emergency room first before coming to our office. For example, if you are suffering from uncontrollable bleeding, a broken jaw, deep facial cuts, or discolorations in your jaw due to physical trauma, get to the emergency room as soon as possible. After you have stabilized, you can come to our office for closer examination and to confirm no other underlying issues are present.
Do I have to visit the dentist immediately for a dental emergency?
When you are dealing with a bad toothache that does not go away, loose, broken, or knocked-out teeth, facial swelling, dental abscesses and infections, or damaged restorations, you should get to our office as soon as you can. Dental issues largely do not get better with time. This means that the longer you wait to seek treatment, the more likely the problem will manifest into something worse. For example, a bad toothache could result in you needing a root canal later. The moment you feel that something is wrong, call our office to schedule an appointment.
How can I be better prepared for a dental emergency?
A great way to be prepared for a dental emergency is to have an established dental emergency kit to pull resources from. These are tools designed to make managing your dental emergency easier to deal with, not prevent a visit to our office. A few of these tools include:
- Small containers with a tight lid
- Gauze pads
- Handkerchiefs
- Bottle of acetaminophen (you can also carry ibuprofen or naproxen sodium)
- Contact number to our office for easy reference
What are the best painkillers for a toothache?
There are many painkillers out there that can provide effective relief for your dental discomfort. However, this relief will only be temporary, so you should not be taking them in order to avoid scheduling a visit with our office. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen both work to reduce discomfort, making them great options for providing relief. However, you should avoid aspirin as it can cause a burning sensation when coming into direct contact with your tooth.
What is the best way to preserve a knocked-out tooth?
We recommend placing your tooth back into its socket in order to keep it preserved for longer. While this is a great way to keep the tooth preserved until you arrive, milk is a great option as well for one main reason: proteins. Milk contains proteins that stimulate the growth of tooth root cells. This makes sure that the roots do not swell or become damaged further.
