Emergency Dentist Conyers

Find Fast Emergency Dentistry in Conyers

Man leaning back in dental chair while talking to an emergency dentist in Conyers

It can happen in an instant – suddenly, your child is crying about mouth pain, or you’ve stumbled down the stairs and cracked a tooth. When a dental emergency befalls your family, it’s important to remain calm and not panic. Instead, pick up the phone and contact Hillcrest Dentistry for help! Dr. Peters makes time to see emergency cases as soon as she possibly can, often on the same day. Don’t hesitate to give us a call for fast emergency dentistry in Conyers!

Why Choose Hillcrest Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?

  • Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments for Patients in Pain
  • Gentle & Judgement-Free Team That Prioritizes Your Comfort
  • Trustworthy Dentist with a Minimally Invasive Approach

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

Emergency dentist in Conyers talking to blonde female patient
  1. Give Our Office a Call: The first step you should always take if you’re facing a dental emergency is to call our office. Our team will provide you with first aid guidance over the phone until you’re able to reach our office so you don’t have to endure discomfort for any longer than necessary.
  2. Come in for an Examination: When you arrive at our office, we’ll help get you comfortable and Dr. Peters will examine your mouth. If necessary, our team will also capture X-rays to be able to make an accurate diagnosis.
  3. Receive Treatment: Based on her findings, Dr. Peters will outline a treatment plan to help restore your smile’s health and comfort. Depending on how extensive the needed treatment is, our team may either offer to complete it the same day or schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

If you’re concerned about whether your situation warrants a visit to your emergency dentist in Conyers, our team is happy to help you make that judgement, just give us a call! For your convenience, we’ve also listed some of the most common dental emergency situations that we treat below. However, we recommend reaching out if you’re experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary symptoms.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Man in white shirt looking in mirror brushing teeth

While it isn’t possible to completely avoid experiencing a dental emergency in the future, there are steps that patients and their families can take to minimize their risk. Here are a few our emergency dentist in Conyers recommends!

Schedule Regular Dental Checkups

Make sure to schedule regular checkups and cleanings here in Conyers for you, your spouse, your children, and anyone else you love! That way, Dr. Peters can effectively locate and treat small dental problems that could have developed into serious emergency situations down the road.

We’ll also give your teeth a good clean, removing plaque, tartar, and other debris in the process. That way, you’re less likely to develop tooth decay, gum disease, or any other dental problems in the near future.

Avoid Crunchy Foods

It’s best to steer clear of hard pretzels, peanut brittle, and other extremely crunchy foods entirely. If you do choose to indulge, however, then make sure to exercise plenty of caution to prevent chips, cracks, and other forms of dental damage.

Tip: Fill your plate with foods that are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients! This will help keep your teeth and gums healthy from the inside out.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

If you’re having trouble opening something, use scissors. If you need to remove a bottle cap, use a bottle cap opener. If your hands are full, don’t put your keys in your mouth. Basically, you shouldn’t use your teeth as tools. Although doing so may seem convenient in the moment, even seemingly harmless habits like these can lead to serious dental damage.

Wear a Mouthguard During Sports

Do you regularly play sports? Maybe you prefer to stay active by rollerblading, running, or riding your bike. Either way, you need to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from harm. We also recommend having a nightguard made if you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding).

Tip: Don’t have a mouthguard or nightguard that fits? Let us know! We can have a custom one made for you, ensuring it’s the appropriate thickness and provides ample protection.

Prioritize Healthy Habits At Home

Last, but certainly not least, you need to implement healthy habits into your daily routine. That starts with eating healthy, well-balanced meals and extends to brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. Not only will this help keep your breath fresh, but it will also reduce your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease.

Important note: Using a slightly damp toothbrush to quickly brush your teeth doesn’t count. You need to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste to brush twice a day and for two full minutes each time!

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Cost written on wooden blocks

Every dental emergency is different, so treatment is always unique. Whatever your situation may be, acting quickly and seeking out care immediately is always better than trying to “tough out” the pain. This will only allow an issue to become worse and increase the chance that an experience procedure will be needed to fix it. To help make emergency dental care more affordable, we’re happy to accept insurance. Flexible financing is also available to make your treatment better fit into your budget.

Every Dental Emergency Is Different

Woman with a toothache

Since no two dental emergencies are the same, there isn’t a set price tag associated with these visits. It will all depend on several factors, including whether you require diagnostic imaging and the treatment that you require. Based on these there, our team will be able to provide you will a cost estimate after you arrive at our practice and have made a diagnosis.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance form

In most cases, dental insurance providers agree to cover emergency dental visits. The amount that they cover is based on the type of restorative treatment needed. However, every plan is a little bit different, so it’s best to reach out to confirm your coverage. We’d also be happy to help with this. At Hillcrest Dentistry, we are proud to be in-network with MetLife. We also accept all PPO dental insurance plans.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Coins next to a piggy bank

If you don’t have dental insurance, this doesn’t mean that you are completely out of luck in terms of coverage. We are happy to accept payments through CareCredit – a third-party financing company that can split the cost of your treatment into manageable monthly installments with little to no interest. If you have any questions or need help applying, let us know!

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Man brushing his teeth

Not all dental emergencies are preventable, but when you implement an excellent oral hygiene routine and eliminate bad dental habits, like crunching on ice and smoking, you can reduce your probability of encountering a dental emergency. It is also a good idea to have changes in your smile examined. Even if something seems minor, it could become a bigger, more expensive issue to resolve in the future. By handling minor issues now, you can avoid the heft costs of a severe dental emergency later on.

Dental Emergency FAQs

What Does Chronic Bad Breath Mean?

Bad breath from time to time is very normal, especially when you first wake up or after you eat a meal with pungent foods, like garlic, onions, and white fish. Of course, if the odor persists even after brushing your teeth or there doesn’t seem to be a trigger, you shouldn’t hesitate to call us. Once we know more about what’s going on, including if there are any other abnormal dental symptoms you’re experiencing, we can schedule an appointment for you with our dedicated dentist in Conyers.

Will a Toothache Go Away on Its Own?

You might be surprised to hear this, but it is possible for a toothache to go away on its own. It is not possible, however, for tooth decay or gum disease to go away without the necessary restorative care. So, if there is a change in your symptoms, don’t assume that means you no longer need to schedule an appointment. Quite the opposite: you should schedule an emergency exam ASAP.

Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?

Not unless you’re experiencing potentially life-threatening symptoms, like uncontrollable bleeding or trouble swallowing. The reason for this is simple: hospitals don’t typically have dentists on-staff. So, if you’re struggling with a toothache, a loose dental crown, or a small chip in your enamel, going to the ER isn’t the most efficient and cost-effective approach.

Should I Worry About a Chipped Tooth If It Doesn’t Hurt?

If you’re not experiencing considerable sensitivity, soreness, or pain, then you don’t need to worry about scheduling an emergency visit. That said, you should give us a call so we can book an exam before the end of the week. Over the phone, we will also guide you through what to do and what NOT to do to protect the tooth from breaking further.

Should You Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Water?

The short answer is “no.” Since water cannot preserve the root surface cells, we recommend placing the tooth back in its socket. If it doesn’t slide back into position with ease, then submerge it in a container filled with milk or saline solution instead.

Important reminder: With each passing minute, it’s less likely that we will be able to save your tooth. So, don’t wait – call our emergency dentist in Conyers, Dr. Kimberly Peters, ASAP.

Is It Safe to Repair Dentures with Superglue?

Although superglue is a powerful adhesive, it should not be used to repair your dentures. After all, it contains toxins that are not safe to ingest, it can cause an allergic reaction, and it can negatively affect the way food tastes. Plus, superglue doesn’t work well in damp environments, so it would be a band-aid solution at best.

Is a Cavity a Dental Emergency?

The urgency of the situation depends largely on the symptoms you’re experiencing. If you feel a sharp, stabbing pain when you bite down, your gums bleed when you floss, or there is a pimple-like bump on your gums, then an emergency visit is absolutely warranted. If, however, you just started to notice a dull, persistent discomfort, then you should be safe scheduling an appointment with us before the end of the week.

Toothaches

Chipped Tooth

Cracked Tooth

Very Sensitive Teeth

Knocked-Out Tooth

Lost Filling or Crown

Broken Denture

Loose Permanent Tooth

Injury to the Gums, Lips, or Tongue

Jaw Pain

Something Stuck Between the Teeth