It’s a warm summer day in Covina and you decide to head out to play a game of soccer. Everything is going well until you collide with another player and suddenly find yourself with a chipped tooth. What should you do? Should this be considered an emergent situation? Your emergency dentist in Covina weighs in with information that will help you determine whether you should reach out for emergency care.
The Common Symptoms of a Chipped Tooth
Having a tooth chipped could result in some of the following symptoms:
- Tooth discomfort that comes and goes unpredictably
- Discomfort when chewing or relieving bite pressure
- Discomfort when exposed to extreme hot or cold
Although these symptoms can be uncomfortable at times, they don’t necessarily constitute a dental emergency. How, then, can you determine whether you need to contact your dentist for immediate care?
When It’s Time to Contact the Dentist
If the chip leads to a fracture or the pain greatly intensifies and becomes constant, then it’s time to contact your emergency dentist to receive treatment. This is because the fracture could lead to bigger problems like infection of the gums and the pulp area of the tooth, which then requires a pulpectomy to restore the it.
As a basic rule of thumb, here are some symptoms that could be signs of a dental emergency:
- Bleeding from the mouth
- A loose tooth
- Direct trauma to the face
- Swelling in the mouth or facial area
- Bulging, swelling or knots on the gums
If it appears that you have a dental emergency, you should first take a deep breath so you can think clearly. Next, pick up the phone and contact your dentist’s office so that one of the trained staff members can get you scheduled to come in for care.
How to Pay for Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies occur at the most inopportune times, so how can you pay for treatment? Most practices accept insurance for such events, but there may still be some out-of-pocket fees. So you can still get the treatment you need, many practices will also allow for payment plans to be setup.
Whatever your situation is, you can count on your dentist in Covina to have the expertise and skills to guide you back to a healthy state. So if you find yourself in need of help, don’t hesitate to give him a call.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran received his B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from the University of the Pacific and then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Since then, he’s remained focused on helping his patients experience the best in oral health. Dr. Tran treats dental emergencies at Covina Family Dental and can be reached for more information through his website.