Did you wake up this morning with a terrible toothache? Did a pick-up game with your friends end with you literally picking up one of your teeth? Whatever your dental emergency might be, you should seek out treatment immediately, and all you have to do is call Evans Street Dental. The trusted emergency dentist in McMinnville, OR, Dr. Ramsay, and our team are capable of stopping pain quickly and fixing all sorts of urgent problems, and we’re usually able to see emergency patients the same day that they call in. Reach out to us right away so we can make your pain disappear!
Why Choose Evans Street Dental for Emergency Dental Care?
Gentle, Precise Care That Puts Patient Comfort First
Same-Day Appointments Available for Emergency Patients
Talented & Compassionate Dentist with Years of Experience
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
By nature, dental emergencies are often stressful and overwhelming. We urge you to stay calm and focused. Follow these steps if you need urgent dental care:
Step 1: Call Us. Give us a call as soon as you can so we can schedule you for a same-day emergency appointment and give you first-aid instructions.
Step 2: Get an Emergency Exam. Ramsay will see you as soon as you arrive. She’ll perform an evaluation and relieve any severe pain.
Step 3: Make a Treatment Plan: She’ll review her findings with you and fully explain which treatment options she recommends. Together, you’ll make a plan for getting your oral health back on track.
Step 4: Get the Dental Care You Need: Right away, we’ll get to work relieving your pain, protecting your teeth, and repairing your smile. Whether you need a filling, a root canal, or something else entirely, your comfort and healthy will always be our top priorities.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
Some dental emergencies are caused by a sudden injury or accident, like a knocked-out or broken tooth. However, others develop gradually over time due to poor oral hygiene, like a dental infection or abscess. There are a wide range of circumstances that require urgent dental care, so even if you’re unsure if your situation counts as an emergency, give us a call! We’ll help you assess your symptoms over the phone and determine what steps you need to take next to keep your smile safe. Below, you’ll find some of the most common dental emergencies we treat here at Evans Street Dental.
The best way to minimize the pain and expense related to a dental emergency is to seek treatment as quickly as possible. We guarantee that waiting will only make both much worse! We understand that the fear of a large dental bill prevents many people from pursuing urgent care, but we offer multiple payment options to make the cost of dental emergencies in McMinnville easily affordable. In addition to accepting a long list of dental insurance plans, we also have our own in-office membership plan that’s perfect for those without traditional coverage.
Every Dental Emergency is Different
Because no dental emergencies are exactly alike, neither are any two costs of emergency care. Rest assured that emergency dental visits are relatively inexpensive – during this appointment, our team will examine your mouth and determine which treatment is needed to repair your smile.
Until you physically step into our office, it’s pretty much impossible to provide you with a cost estimate. Depending on the root cause of the problem and the extent of the damage, we may suggest various treatments, such as:
Tooth-colored fillings
Root canal therapy
Tooth extractions
Dental crowns
Before we go through with any treatment, we will explain our findings to you and discuss recommended procedures as well as their pricing information.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Most dental insurance providers cover emergency situations to some extent. Many of them cover one emergency exam per year. Some of the most common emergency procedures, like root canal therapy, are often partially covered (usually around 50% to 80%). However, every insurance plan is different. Our team works with most insurance providers and will even handle the claims on your behalf.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
If you don’t have dental insurance, fear not. At Evans Street Dental, we can help you break up the cost of your emergency treatment into manageable installments via CareCredit. Many patients qualify for CareCredit loans with little or no interest!
We also have our very own In-House Savings Plan. With this plan, you pay a flat rate in exchange for FREE preventive services like cleanings. You’ll also receive discounts on many other types of care, including some emergency services. You won’t even have to worry about deductibles, annual maximums, or waiting periods like you would with insurance.
Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money
While some dental emergencies are accidents that cannot be avoided, the majority of them are the result of long-term damage or infection. Being diligent about your oral hygiene and investing in routine dental checkups and cleanings could save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in emergency and restorative dental care costs over the years.
Once you notice a hurting or damaged tooth, it’s important to address the issue right away. You may be concerned about the possible cost, but the problem could worsen, and the cost could grow the longer you wait to see your emergency dentist in McMinnville. For example, getting a toothache promptly examined could mean the difference between saving your tooth with a root canal and having to extract and replace the tooth with an expensive dental implant!
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
When it comes to dental emergencies, prevention is always the best medicine. You can keep yourself safe from unexpected dental issues by:
Consistently wearing a mouthguard whenever you play sports
NOT chewing on hard objects like ice, pens, pencils, your fingernails, etc.
NOT using your teeth to open packages or bottles
Brushing and flossing your teeth every day to keep the enamel strong and free of infection (which will lower the chances of a tooth randomly chipping or breaking)
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
If you’re like most people, you’d rather see a dentist at regularly scheduled intervals than have to take time out of your busy day to deal with a painfully urgent situation. Luckily, attending two checkups and cleanings a year can greatly help prevent dental emergencies in McMinnville. At these appointments, Dr. Ramsay can detect warnings signs of potential emergencies early enough that treatment is much easier (and less expensive!). Also, our hygienists can remove cavity-causing plaque from your teeth that can contribute to painful infections.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene Habits at Home
Even something as simple as brushing and flossing every day can go a long way in avoiding oral health problems that cause dental emergencies. When you neglect to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash, harmful bacteria and plaque can build up in your mouth and contribute to tooth decay and infections. Both of these situations can cause permanent damage as well as pain that lands you in our emergency dental office in McMinnville. Take good care of your smile by brushing twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing every evening, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash at least once a day.
Be Careful with Your Diet
The foods and drinks you consume have a bigger impact on your oral health than you might think. Items that are high in sugars and other carbohydrates fuel bacteria that create cavities and gum infections. By cutting down on the amount of processed sugar you eat, you can essentially starve out these dangerous bacteria. Instead, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only do they naturally clean out your mouth, but they contain valuable vitamins and minerals that strengthen your tooth enamel and improve your body’s ability to fight off potential infections.
Protect Your Pearly Whites
If you play a high-contact sport like football or rugby, it’s crucial that you protect your pearly whites from injury. You could buy a mouthguard at the sporting goods store, but those one-size-fits-all varieties don’t provide nearly as much protection as one custom-made for you by a dentist. Dr. Ramsay can create one designed to fit comfortably over your teeth and deliver maximum protection.
Similarly, you should seek protection if you habitually grind your teeth while you sleep. This condition, called bruxism, can wear down or even fracture your teeth, forcing you to start your day by scheduling an appointment with your emergency dentist in McMinnville. Fortunately, we can make a personalized nightguard to provide cushioning between your top and bottom teeth during the night, minimizing the risk of damage.
Use Tools, Not Teeth to Open Packaging
Many of us have been impatient to grab the scissors to open a package and just decided to use our teeth instead. However, this can seriously harm your smile. Your teeth could become chipped or cracked, and restorations like crowns could even shatter or fall off entirely. Take the time to reach for the proper tool for the job. Your smile will thank you!
Dental Emergency FAQ’s
When Is It Best to Go to the ER Instead of the Emergency Dentist?
If you are suffering from any of these situations, don’t wait to see us. Instead, get to your local emergency room for immediate medical assistance:
Broken or fractured jaw
Continuous bleeding from the mouth that does not cease after 15-20 minutes
Difficulty swallowing or breathing
In all other circumstances, Dr. Ramsay and her team can offer the right method of care to address your dental emergency, ensuring your oral health does not worsen as a result of your injury.
Why Should I Go to a Dentist Instead of the ER for a Dental Emergency?
While the emergency room doctors are there to help with the most serious situations (i.e. those listed above), they are not equipped with the knowledge or treatment capabilities of an emergency dentist. Dr. Ramsay has years of experience, educational knowledge, and training to ensure you get the care you need in a timely manner. She also makes it much easier for individuals to avoid long wait times and unnecessary fees when it comes to receiving treatment for a dental emergency.
If My Dental Pain Goes Away, Should I Bother Keeping My Appointment?
Yes, you should most certainly keep your appointment, and here’s why: Pain is only one symptom, and it is one that not all people experience. Just because the feeling of discomfort dissipates or goes away altogether does not mean there isn’t an underlying problem still in existence. To ensure your mouth is in good condition and no signs of infection are present, it is best if you let our team examine your oral cavity and give you the “all clear” before resuming normal activity.
What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency Out of Town?
The most important thing to remember is to never wait to seek treatment. No matter if it’s a toothache or knocked-out tooth, it is better to see a local dental professional who can offer immediate assistance than wait until you return home and the problem has worsened. Make sure to alert us to the situation. We will then determine if you should come in for a follow-up with Dr. Ramsay when you return.
Without a doubt, yes! We know it can be scary when something bad happens to your smile. We also know it can be unnerving to think about how you’ll pay for treatment when you don’t have dental insurance. Fortunately, at Evans Street Dental, we can help you enroll in CareCredit, which is a third-party financing company that offers low- and no-interest payment plans. We also offer an in-house savings plan that allows you to pay a flat fee for access to many available dental treatments and receive discounts on other methods of care.
No matter what you choose, remember the following:
Never avoid dental care, no matter the cost
Our team is here to help you find ways to keep your out-of-pocket expenses low while receiving the care you need and deserve
Is my toothache a dental emergency? Toothaches can be caused by a wide range of issues, from nagging cavities to serious dental infections. While you should see us if you are experiencing any kind of dental pain, you should consider your toothache a dental emergency that needs immediate attention if it is accompanied by:
Severe pain that is distracting, wakes you up from sleep, or lasts more than 24 hours
A small, pimple-like bump on the gums near the painful tooth
Sharp pain when biting down or opening your mouth wide
Discoloration or looseness in the painful tooth
Swelling in the mouth, gums, face, or jaw
How you should handle a toothache: Use floss to remove any potential food debris between your teeth as the pressure can easily be confused with decay or infection. If the pain continues, take an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen to reduce discomfort. If your face is swelling, apply an ice pack to your cheek in 10-minute intervals. You can also rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to clear away bacteria and reduce inflammation.
How we treat toothaches: Upon arriving at our dental office, we’ll perform an exam, x-rays, and determine what’s causing your toothache. If you have a decayed or broken tooth, we may recommend a filling or dental crown. For infections, we may prescribe antibiotics, gum disease treatment, or root canal therapy. In severe cases, we may need to remove the tooth to protect the rest of your smile. After your examination, we’ll review our findings with you and fully explain all your treatment options.
Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency? Chipped teeth may not need immediate treatment, but they do need to be repaired right away. Even if the chipped tooth doesn’t hurt, it’s at risk of breaking even more and developing an infection. Therefore, should you chip a tooth, give us a call right away so we can treat it and prevent the situation from getting worse.
How you should handle a chipped tooth: If possible, collect as many pieces of the tooth as you can find, and store them in a clean container to bring them to our dental office. Until then, you can take an OTC medication to ease any pain and apply a cold compress to manage swelling. If the remaining tooth has a sharp edge, make sure it’s covered to prevent further injury to the mouth. You can do this easily by using a piece of sugarless gum or dental wax. Don’t use the injured tooth to bite or chew anything until your appointment.
How we treat chipped teeth: Chipped teeth are generally quick and easy to treat. Depending on the extent of the damage, we may be able to recement any pieces of your tooth that you’ve brought with you back into place with dental bonding. Other times, we may simply use dental bonding to fill in the damaged area and restore the image of your tooth. If you’ve chipped a front tooth, you may want to consider getting a porcelain veneer or two for optimal aesthetics.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency? A cracked or broken tooth will not heal itself. The longer its left untreated, the more likely it is to develop further damage or serious infection, so you should come see us as quickly as possible.
How you should handle a cracked tooth: First, rinse your mouth with warm water to clear away debris and bacteria. Take over-the-counter pain relievers and apply and icepack as needed to reduce discomfort or swelling. If possible, don’t eat or drink anything until your appointment. Should you need to eat or drink, stay away from hard, crunchy, sticky, spicy, or sweet items and don’t chew with the injured side of your mouth.
How we treat cracked teeth: The most common treatment for a cracked or broken tooth is a custom-made dental crown, which fits over the tooth to protect and strengthen it. If the crack is minor, we may instead be able to fill in the damaged area with dental bonding. However, if the broken tooth is damaged beyond repair, we may need to extract it and discuss your tooth replacement options.
Are very sensitive teeth a dental emergency? Nearly everyone will experience some form of tooth sensitivity at some point in their life. However, if the discomfort is intense or lasts for longer than 20 seconds at a time, it’s likely caused by a serious oral health issue that needs immediate treatment.
How you should handle sensitive teeth: First, give us a call. We’ll help you determine if you need a same-day appointment, the next available appointment, or if you can treat your sensitive teeth at home. You should rinse your mouth with water regularly and practice great oral hygiene to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Consider switching to desensitizing toothpastes and mouthwashes, and make sure your toothbrush has soft bristles and your oral hygiene products contain fluoride.
How we treat tooth sensitivity: How we handle your tooth sensitivity will depend on what’s causing it. We may use a filling for a cavity, dental bonding for a small crack, a fluoride treatment for eroded enamel, or we may prescribe a nightguard for bruxism. In some cases, root canal therapy or gum disease treatment is needed to battle an underlying infection.
Is a knocked-out tooth a dental emergency? Having a tooth knocked out is always a serious dental emergency that should be treated right away. We may be able to reimplant it if you reach us quickly enough. You’ll need to get here within 30-60 minutes for the best chances of successful reimplantation.
How you should handle a knocked-out tooth: Pick the tooth up by the crown only and rinse it with water. Don’t use any soaps or cleaners, and do not dry it. Gently try to insert the tooth back into the socket. If you can’t, you can store it in a cup or container of milk or saliva. Alternatively, you can also hold the tooth between your gums and cheeks.
How we treat knocked-out teeth: As mentioned, the sooner you can see us, the more likely it is that we will be able to save your knocked out tooth. However, if the tooth is too damaged or no longer viable, we’ll need to discuss other tooth replacement options such as a dental bridge or dental implant.
Is a lost filling or crown a dental emergency? Enamel cannot repair itself like the rest of your body, so when a filling or crown falls out, it leaves the tooth vulnerable to further damage and decay. Lost restorations may not need immediate treatment, but they should be repaired as quickly as possible to prevent more serious issues.
How you should handle a lost filling or crown: If you’re able to find your lost filling or crown, pick it up and rinse it with water. You can attempt to temporarily reattach it to your tooth using a dab of toothpaste or denture adhesive, but keep in mind that this isn’t a permanent solution. If you cannot, avoid chewing on that side of the mouth and store the restoration in a clean container to bring with you to your appointment. If your tooth is sensitive, you can cover it with dental wax or sugarless gum.
How we treat lost fillings or crowns: If your restoration is still in good shape, we may be able to simply reattach it. However, a broken or worn-down restoration usually requires full replacement.
Is a broken denture a dental emergency?: Damaged dentures can cause harm to your jaws, teeth, and gums, so we recommend against wearing them until you can get them repaired or replaced. Give our office a call as soon as you notice something isn’t right with your denture.
How to handle a broken denture: Avoid wearing your denture until you get to our office. Instead, keep it contained in cold water to prevent it from drying out. Stick to a soft diet in the meantime.
How we treat broken dentures: Minor cracks to dentures may be fixable with composite resin, while an ill-fitting denture could be adjusted in a matter of days to fit properly and more comfortably. However, severely worn-down or snapped dentures will likely need full replacement. This is a great opportunity to consider implant dentures as well.
Are loose permanent teeth a dental emergency?: Loose permanent teeth are likely to fall out without professional attention. Call our office immediately if you think your tooth may be loose, even if there’s no pain present.
How you should handle a loose permanent tooth: Avoid touching or wiggling the tooth with your tongue. If pain is present, take over-the-counter painkillers and apply a cold compress to your cheek.
How we treat loose permanent teeth: We’ll try to splint the tooth when you get to our office so it can reintegrate with your jawbone tissue. Otherwise, we may need to extract it. From there, we’ll go over your tooth replacement options.
Is an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue a dental emergency?: Oral cuts can lead to a lot of bleeding, which can be very concerning at first. If you’re able to stop the bleeding on your own, give us a call so we can perform an exam of your injury and get you taken care of.
How you should handle an injury to the gums, lips, or tongue: Start by rinsing the wound with water, then apply a gauze pad or clean washcloth to the cut. Apply pressure for at least 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops.
How we treat injuries to the gums, lips, or tongue: If you cannot get the bleeding to stop after 10 minutes, go to the emergency room. However, if you are able to stop the bleeding, pay us a visit and we’ll see if your cuts need stitches.
Is jaw pain a dental emergency?: Jaw pain is rarely a dental emergency but that doesn’t mean it can’t still interfere with your daily life. To determine the cause of your symptoms and avoid long-term issues like chronic jaw pain, call our office.
How you should handle jaw pain: We’ll get you scheduled for a visit when you call as well as offer tips over the phone to alleviate your discomfort in the meantime. This typically includes taking painkillers and applying a cold compress to your face for 10 minutes at a time, removing and reapplying in 10-minute intervals for up to one hour. If you think your jaw is broken or dislocated, go to the emergency room.
How we treat jaw pain: We offer custom-made mouthguards to alleviate pain caused by teeth grinding and clenching. However, if we believe a wisdom tooth is causing your symptoms, we can schedule you for an extraction if necessary.
Foreign materials stuck in between teeth (food or otherwise) should not be removed with objects that could easily damage your teeth, gums, or soft tissues. This includes tweezers, toothpicks, or other sharp objects that have no business being anywhere near the mouth. Try brushing, flossing, or rinsing your mouth out with water instead to see if the foreign object loosens this way. If you’re still struggling to get the material loose, give us a call and we’ll see what we can do to help.
