Emergency Dentist – West Caldwell, NJ

Call Us When a Dental Emergency Strikes

Dental emergencies can be extremely painful, and they will only lead to worse problems if they aren’t addressed quickly. At Magid Dental Care, we offer same-day emergency dental appointments so that our patients can get the relief they need as soon as possible. Do you have a damaged tooth or chronic dental pain? Call us immediately to schedule a consultation with Dr. Magid. As an emergency dentist in West Caldwell, he can narrow down the source of the issue and create a plan for stopping your discomfort and protecting your oral health.

Why Choose Magid Dental Care for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Dental Appointments Available
  • Dental Sedation Offered for Nervous Patients
  • Ivy League-Trained Dentist

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Man who needs emergency dentist in West Caldwell holding his cheek in pain

Upon receiving your call, we’ll ask about your symptoms and give you first-aid instructions as needed. We’ll then make arrangements to see you as quickly as we can. When you arrive at our dental office, we’ll take steps to get you out of immediate pain, and we’ll examine your mouth thoroughly to determine what the root of the problem is. Once we understand your situation, we’ll review your treatment options with you, along with the costs involved. After a treatment plan has been agreed on, all we need to do is carry it out and give you the fast, compassionate dental care that you deserve.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

Some dental emergencies are the results of sudden accidents, while others are the consequences of poor oral hygiene. In either case, you need to seek treatment from a dental professional right away. Below are some of the most common examples of dental emergencies that our team has dealt with in the past.

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dental team member at front desk showing a clipboard to a patient

Since there are so many different kinds of dental emergencies, it’s impossible to give an estimate of how much your treatment will cost until after we’ve performed a full assessment of your mouth. Once we fully understand your situation and have determined the kind of treatments you’ll need, we’ll take the time to explain how much you can expect to pay as well as what options are available for fitting your dental care into your budget more easily.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Dentist explaining treatment to patient

We mentioned above that performing a full assessment is important. That’s because dental emergencies look a little different for each patient. For example, one patient struggling with a toothache may need a filling to restore a decayed tooth, and the next patient struggling with a toothache might need a dental crown to address a considerable crack. Not to worry – we will share our findings with you after your exam and review all of the treatment options available to you as well. 

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Woman filling out dental insurance form in lobby

The good news is that dental insurance providers typically cover some of the cost – whether it’s the entire price of the exam or a portion of the price of the necessary restorative care. We know that understanding your benefits can be a bit difficult between the unfamiliar jargon and red tape, like waiting periods, which is why we’re here to help! We welcome several PPO dental insurance plans, and we can submit the claims on your behalf to make the process of utilizing your coverage stress-free.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Dental assistant smiling while handing patient form

Currently uninsured? Fortunately, there are two other ways to make the cost of emergency dental care more affordable. The first is our in-house savings plan, which gives you immediate access to discounts on some of the dental services we offer at our West Caldwell dental office. The second is CareCredit, which is a trusted third-party financier. If you would like further details, get in touch with us so we can answer any questions you have!

Taking Care Of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Mature man smiling during dental checkup

Before we close this section on cost, we need to mention the importance of taking care of your smile. After all, if you brush consistently, avoid unhealthy dental habits, and adopt other good oral hygiene practices, your chances of experiencing a dental emergency decrease significantly. In other words, if you have fallen off-track with your dental hygiene regimen, there’s no better time to make it a priority again – it benefits your smile and your wallet!

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Dentist and assistants busy working around a patient looking at X-rays

No one wants to find themselves in the middle of a dental emergency, but things happen! While you can’t fully anticipate when you might have an urgent issue, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of experiencing one by taking a few simple precautions. If you’re proactive about preventing dental problems, your teeth will be in much better condition and therefore less likely to have issues if something happens. Of course, if you need immediate assistance or have additional questions, you’re welcome to contact us and we’d be happy to assist you. Continue reading below to learn a few helpful tips to avoid having a dental emergency to begin with!

Maintain Regular Dental Visits

Man in gray shirt having dental exam

One of the best ways to keep your teeth strong and healthy is to schedule regular visits with Dr. Magid every 6 months. These routine appointments include a checkup and cleaning which allows us to identify any areas of concern with enough time to remedy them before they progress. Typically, dental issues don’t resolve themselves and only get worse if they’re left untreated. That means you can avoid complex and costly repairs down the road by catching and addressing any problems early on.

Practice Consistent Oral Hygiene Habits at Home

Man, woman, and girl brushing teeth together in bathroom

Another essential aspect of effective preventative care is consistently cleaning your teeth at home. Destructive bacteria are attracted to leftover bits of food in your mouth and can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. By thoroughly brushing and flossing twice daily, you clear away unwanted particles before they cause any damage. This is a simple and effective way to keep your mouth in tip-top shape so that if you have an urgent situation, you’re less likely to be harmed.  

Eat Wholesome Foods

Woman eating salad at a table full of fruits and vegetables

The foods you choose to eat can greatly influence the condition of your smile, so why not choose healthier options? Overly sugary or acidic foods and drinks can eat through your enamel which leaves your teeth structurally compromised. They’ll be more likely to chip or fracture if you bite into something overly hard or sustain physical trauma. When you eat a well-balanced diet that includes dairy, fruit, and vegetables, you’re providing your body with the nutrients it needs to support your teeth and gums.

Wear a Mouthguard

Girl in mirror inserting oral appliance

If you participate in physical activities like team sports or martial arts, then you’re at an increased risk of injuries that can break or dislodge your teeth. Thankfully, our team can help keep them safe by providing a customized mouthguard to evenly distribute the force of any blows. Similarly, if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), an oral appliance can be created to cushion your pearly whites from the added tension of constantly clenching down, which shields them from cracking.

Use the Right Tools to Open Packages

Girl in mirror inserting oral appliance

If you frequently use your teeth to open boxes, containers, packages, or bottles then they’re more likely to chip or crack which requires immediate attention. To avoid this, try to find more appropriate tools around the house to do the job. It may take a few extra minutes to find scissors or a knife, but it’s worth it to prevent taking an unnecessary risk with your smile.

Dental Emergency FAQs

Will My Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

Typically, toothaches and other dental problems don’t resolve themselves. It’s important to call our office when you notice an issue so that we can identify and address the underlying cause. Whether you’ve developed a cyst under the gumline or have an overly decayed tooth that requires a root canal, it needs to be treated by a professional. Delaying the inevitable only gives the problem time to progress which can result in more complex and costly treatments to resolve later. If you’re not sure whether your issue needs immediate attention, contact us so we can provide first-aid instructions over the phone as needed and schedule your appointment.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

For situations involving your teeth, it’s usually best to see your dentist rather than a doctor. They have the unique training and equipment necessary to identify the issue and treat it right away whereas your local ER doesn’t. That said, if your emergency involves physical trauma like a fractured or dislocated jaw, serious cuts or lacerations to your face or mouth, or an infection that has swollen to the point that you can no longer breathe or swallow properly, then you should visit urgent care first.

Do I Need to Visit for Minor Chips to Teeth?

Many patients who sustain minor chips or cracks wait to call the dentist because they are under the impression that their enamel will eventually regrow. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Even if you’re not in any pain, you should call us so we can schedule a time for you to come in. Any physical damage to your tooth compromises its structure and leaves it more susceptible to further harm, whether it’s bacterial infection or additional breakage. Plus, the jagged edges left behind can cut the soft tissues inside your mouth while you wait. Come in as soon as possible so we can repair your tooth before it is injured further.  

Should Knocked-Out Teeth be Placed in Water?

If you’ve had a blow to the face or something knocked out a tooth, call us right away so we can schedule an appointment. Then, it can be helpful to locate it because in some cases it can be put back in its place. Don’t store your tooth in water because this can damage the still-viable cells on the root. Instead, you can try carefully inserting it back into the socket or storing it in a container with some of your saliva to keep it safe until you arrive.