Did you know that, on average, someone visits the hospital emergency room for a dental problem every fifteen seconds?
It may seem logical to race to the hospital when you’re in pain, but is it really the best place to go? The reality is that very few hospitals are staffed or equipped to deal with dental emergencies.
If you chip a tooth, knock out a crown, or develop an abscess, an emergency dentist is almost always better prepared to treat the condition. In fact, experts say that 79% of ER visits for dental matters should be shifted to a dental clinic instead.
So, then, how can you find a trustworthy emergency dentist in Boise, Idaho? Use the tips below as you review different family dentist services in the area.
1. Prepare Now for the Unexpected
You wake up in the middle of the night with a throbbing toothache. You fall off your mountain bike and knock out your crown. Your child chips a tooth during an after-school sports event.
In each of these situations, you need to act fast. You won’t have the luxury of sitting down to research different dentists in the area, read patient reviews, and see who accepts your dental insurance.
The time to do all of this research is right now — before you or a family member faces a dental emergency.
Ideally, your regular family dentist is also equipped to handle emergencies. Check their website or ask the staff during your next visit if they treat emergencies (and which types of emergencies they handle).
In the meantime, you can search online for a Boise emergency dentist. Read reviews and testimonials to see if other patients were satisfied with the service they received.
Was the dentist friendly, compassionate, and gentle? Did they treat them promptly and in a professional manner? How did they feel after their emergency treatment and how did they handle any follow-up care?
It’s also worth asking friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they have any experience with an emergency dentist in Boise. A positive recommendation from someone you know can go a long way in building your confidence.
2. Regard Payment Options
You don’t want your dental emergency to turn into a financial emergency too.
If you have a dental insurance policy, look for a clinic that accepts your plan. You could also call your insurance company and ask for a list of in-network providers.
What if you don’t currently have dental insurance? Most clinics will be happy to work with you to find a financing option that suits your budget and circumstances. This might include using an in-house discount program or applying for interest-free financing through Care Credit.
Important note: If you plan to use Medicaid, check in advance that the dentist accepts it, as not all offices do.
3. Choose a Convenient Location
Every minute counts during a dental emergency. If you knock out a tooth, for example, you only have about one hour to get it safely placed back in its socket.
You’re already feeling stressed and anxious (and probably in a lot of pain) during a dental emergency. The last thing you need to do is add a long car ride to the list, especially if you’re driving yourself.
Look for an emergency dentist in Boise, Idaho, with a convenient downtown location. Check the distance on Google Maps so you know exactly how far it is from your home, job, or school.
4. Take Appropriate Action
When you call the emergency dentist, be sure to ask what you should do between now and the time you arrive at the clinic. The steps you take in the moments after your emergency can mean the difference between a quick, easy fix and a more complicated solution.
For example, if you knock out a tooth, the dentist may advise you to place it in a glass of milk to preserve it on your trip to the office. If you think you have a tooth abscess, the dentist may instruct you to swish with a lukewarm saltwater solution. If you lost a crown, the dentist could tell you to buy temporary cement from the drugstore or use clove oil to dull the pain.
Whatever instructions you receive, don’t delay! Take the necessary steps and then get yourself to the emergency clinic ASAP.
5. Select a Full-Service Family Dentist
Some clinics are designed to handle emergencies only, which means you’ll have to go elsewhere for any follow-up care.
A severe tooth infection, for example, may require an extraction, pocket cleaning, or even a root canal. If you lose a knocked-out tooth, you’ll need a dental implant to fill in the gap.
Rather than visiting different offices for different procedures, look for a Boise dentist who provides all of these services under the same roof. This is the most convenient solution for you and it will simplify the payment process, especially if you have dental insurance.
Most importantly, it ensures you’ll receive the best possible care when the same dentist handles the emergency, after-care, and any restoration work.
Your Emergency Dentist in Boise, Idaho
None of us like to think about the possibility of a dental emergency, but it happens more often than you might think.
If you lose a crown or knock out a tooth, you won’t have the time or desire to research emergency dentists in your area. As mentioned above, you should prepare now and have an emergency dentist in mind so you’ll know exactly who to call.
Boise Family Dental Care offers an array of family dentistry services, from routine cleanings to cosmetic enhancements to pediatric dentistry. We’re also proud to be the go-to choice for anyone seeking an emergency dentist in Boise.
Contact us to learn more about our services via our convenient online form>. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency and need to speak to someone right away, give us a call at 208-328-6022.
