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Emergency Dentist — Millersville, MD

Same-Day Care for Urgent Dental Pain

Woman with flawless smile

It’s always best to have an emergency plan in place  before  an actual emergency occurs. This makes perfect sense, but would you know what to do if you or a family member was suddenly dealing with extreme dental pain? If not, you’re not alone, but McCarl Dental Group at Shipley's Choice is ready to help. Should you find yourself in the middle of a dental emergency, go ahead and call our Millersville dental office. We’ll be happy to see you that same day so we can take care of the problem and stop the pain. In fact, you should put our dental office’s number in your phone right now so you can act as quickly as possible!

Why Choose McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice for Emergency Dental Care?

  • Same-Day & Saturday Appointments Available
  • Trusted By Local Families Since 1938
  • Highly-Skilled Team that is Constantly Learning & Training

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Dental team member smiling at dentistry patient
  • Step 1: Call us right away. No matter what type of dental emergency you’re facing, call us as soon as you can so we can schedule a same-day appointment for you. One of our experience team members will walk you through basic first-aid for handling your situation until you reach us.
  • Step 2: Visit us for an emergency exam . When you arrive, Dr. Clayton, Jay, or David McCarl will see you for an examination. Your Millersville emergency dentist will focus on alleviating your pain and evaluating your situation before recommending which treatment(s) to move forward with.
  • Step 3 : Get the fast, professional care you need. Once you’ve agreed to a treatment plan, we’ll get to work right away to address your dental emergency. Whether you have a toothache, knocked-out tooth, lost filling, or any other dental emergency, our top priorities will always be your health and comfort.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Whether you’re dealing with a severe toothache or a broken/knocked out tooth, the first thing you should do is reach out for professional help. Contacting and coming to our dental office right away will allow our team to minimize any pain or damage as quickly as possible. Before you’re able to make it to us, however, here are a few things you can do on your own to help with a dental emergency:

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dr. Clayton and team member treating dental patient

Because there are so many types and severities of dental emergencies, there is no set cost for emergency dentistry. We’ll base our recommendations on each patient’s unique situation, with our primary goal being to get them out of pain first. We know that urgent dental care is always a surprise expense, so we’re happy to submit any dental insurance and offer interest-free financing to make this type of care more affordable.

To better understand the cost of emergency dentistry in Millersville, we invite you to review the information below and contact us with any questions.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Only until our team can examine a patient’s emergency and pinpoint the problem area can we determine how much the cost of care will be. No two emergencies are the same. While antibiotics may be enough to treat a minor infection, extraction and tooth replacement may be necessary for a severely cracked tooth.

No matter the reason for the emergency, we will create a treatment plan that aligns with every patient’s needs while also remembering the expected expenses.

At McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice, we never want patients forgoing emergency treatment because they feel they cannot afford it. It’s important to recognize that seeking professional help early on is far better than waiting to see if the pain goes away on its own.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Most dental insurance companies provide patients with one emergency exam each year. But it’s not the cost of the appointment that has individuals concerned. It’s usually the treatment that is required. Fortunately, a majority of carriers offer 40-80% coverage for minor or major restorative care. Whether a person needs a dental filling, crown, root canal, or tooth extraction, insurance will likely pay a portion of the total cost as long as the individual has met their deductible and has available annual funds remaining.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

At McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice, our emergency dentist in Millersville is pleased to offer an alternative payment option for patients without insurance. By enrolling in a CareCredit flexible financing plan, individuals can remain within budget while paying off their treatment. Low or no-interest payment plans are available, making the process easy and stress-free.

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

The moment a patient realizes they’re suffering from dental pain, swelling, or bleeding, it’s essential to call our office immediately. The sooner we can examine the problem, the greater the chances of addressing it without complex or costly care.

While not all dental emergencies can be avoided, there are steps individuals can take to reduce their chances of ending up in the emergency dental office. From brushing and flossing regularly to avoiding unhealthy foods and using teeth as tools, individuals should also remember to wear a protective mouthguard while playing sports or if they suffer from bruxism.

These proactive steps can reduce potential damage and decay, keeping smiles looking and feeling healthier for years to come.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dr. Jay McCarl smiling at dental patient

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that’s especially true when it comes to dental emergencies. Our team at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice wants you to have valuable tips and techniques that will help you to be proactive about reducing your risk for oral injuries. Here are the best ways to prevent dental emergencies in Millersville:

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

It’s important that you keep your six-month dental checkups and cleanings with our team at McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice. During these visits, we will not only check for signs of infection, damage, and other abnormalities, but we’ll offer suggestions to help keep your teeth and gums healthy in between appointments. By catching problems early on, we can help to reduce your chances of necessary dental work in the future.

Keep Brushing and Flossing

At-home oral hygiene habits must be practiced if you want to minimize your risk for toothaches, gum disease, and other infections. Brushing twice daily for two minutes, flossing at least once each day before bed, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash can eliminate cavity-causing bacteria while also improving the strength of your tooth enamel. This daily routine will allow you to enjoy your smile day after day instead of scheduling sudden trips to the emergency dental office in Millersville.

Be Mindful What You Eat

Nutrient-rich foods can go a long way in making sure your mouth and body remain healthy. Consuming too much sugar and starch can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other serious oral health problems. Not to mention the harm it can cause to your heart and other vital organs. Swapping out chips, candy, and sodas for leafy greens, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables can help not only decrease your waistline but also strengthen tooth enamel and improve gum health.

Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Teeth

Sports-related dental injuries are common, which is why it’s recommended that you wear a customized mouthguard to protect your teeth during the big game. A hard hit or fall can lead to knocked-out or broken teeth, soft tissue lacerations, or even a fractured jaw. With a mouthguard created to fit your smile comfortably, you can rest easy knowing your teeth and gums are better protected.

Also, these oral devices are ideal should you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding). While sleeping, a mouthguard can keep the upper and lower arches from touching, decreasing wear and tear on your tooth enamel and preventing jaw pain.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Scissors, pliers, and other tools are great for opening packages and containers. Your teeth, however, are not designed to sustain this amount of pressure. Not only are you putting your teeth at risk of serious damage, but you can harm the oral soft tissues that surround your pearly whites. Attempting to use your teeth as tools will have you in the dentist’s chair for an emergency appointment quite quickly, so it’s best if you let the tools do their job.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Are you concerned you will experience a dental emergency and be unsure as to how you should handle it? Are you worried there are situations we haven’t covered that will leave you with many questions should one happen to you? Our emergency dentist in Millersville, MD, is here to put your mind at ease and deliver clear and concise answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about emergency dentistry. Below is a list you are welcome to review. If you don’t see your questions listed, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Will my toothache go away on its own?

No, it’s very rare that a toothache will ever go away on its own. This is why it’s recommended that you schedule an emergency visit with our team. We’ll be able to examine the tooth in question to determine how best to proceed.

Some of the most common causes of a toothache include poor oral hygiene, sinus congestion, a cavity, facial trauma, or even something stuck between your teeth. Allowing a qualified professional to examine your smile will lead to a personalized treatment plan that includes a recommended solution to improve the health of your smile.

Should I visit the emergency room first for dental emergencies?

Although it might seem like a good option, the truth is that emergency rooms are unlikely to address the full extent of your dental injury. In fact, the only reasons you should ever visit the local ER when dealing with problems of the mouth are increased swelling making it difficult to swallow or breathe, continuous bleeding, or a broken or fractured jawbone.

Otherwise, there is a good chance your emergency dentist will be able to address the problem in-house, which is why it’s best to always call our office to find out which steps you need to take to seek help.

What does throbbing tooth pain mean?

If you experience throbbing tooth pain, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an infection or tooth inflammation. Cavities or cracks allow air and bacteria to enter and spread to the innermost layer of your tooth (the pulp). As a result, it can attack the nerves of the pulp, causing immense pain.

Another reason for this dental emergency in Millersville, MD, is bruxism or teeth grinding and clenching. The only way to know for sure the cause of your discomfort is to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist. This will allow us to review your smile and determine the underlying cause before suggesting an appropriate treatment option.

Can superglue be used to repair broken dentures?

It is not recommended that you use superglue to fix broken dentures. The reason is that not only is it highly toxic and can cause an allergic reaction, but it also does not work well in damp environments. Since your mouth is filled with saliva, it is unlikely that it would even hold the prosthetic together. If you don’t want the taste of your food to be affected, you’ll avoid superglue as well. Instead, it’s best to wait until you can get in to see a member of our team for assistance.