Emergency Dentist — Middleburg Heights, OH
We See Dental Emergencies Fast
Dental emergencies never tend to strike at a convenient time – it’s actually quite the opposite. If you or a loved one is struggling with a sudden, serious oral injury or a painful “toothache,” Kirlough Family Dentistry is here to offer support and relief when it’s needed most. Dr. Jon Kirlough has over two decades of experience in the field, and he makes time for urgent care as soon as possible. In many cases, he can even accommodate you on the same day as your initial call! Contact us today in the greater Middleburg Heights area to schedule an emergency visit.
Why Choose Kirlough Family Dentistry for Emergency Dental Care?
- Same-Day Appointments & Evening Availability
- Calming Sedation Dentistry
- Digital Technology for Improved Comfort & Precision
What to Do in a Dental Emergency
- Give us a call right away. Time is of the essence in any emergency situation. The sooner you contact us, the better chance we have of restoring your smile. Our team will work quickly to get you seen that very same day and provide you with first-aid instructions to help manage your problem until you get to us.
- Have an emergency exam. When you get to our office, we’ll conduct a detailed oral examination to identify the cause of your emergency. Based on our findings, we’ll create a custom treatment plan to get your oral health back on the right track.
- Get the care you need. During your appointment, we may be able to temporarily relieve your pain. However, you might have to return for additional treatment. Some common services include fillings, dental crowns, root canal therapy, gum disease treatment, and tooth extractions.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
There are two major types of dental emergencies. One is caused by physical accidents and/or facial trauma, which can result in dental breakage, serious fractures, and even the loss of natural teeth. The other type occurs when good oral hygiene practices are neglected, leading to severe, painful infections in one or more teeth. Our team can provide valuable assistance with a wide variety of emergency situations. In the meantime, review the tips below for what to do when faced with the most common issues we see.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies, like people, tend to be very unique in nature. For that reason, we can’t provide you with an estimate of the cost online. We can, however, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kirlough. That way, he can learn more about your symptoms, take the necessary X-rays, conduct a visual exam, and create a confident estimate for further care.
Why Every Dental Emergency is Different
Treating one patient may be as simple as prescribing pain medication or as serious as needing a root canal or extraction. That’s why completing a comprehensive oral exam is so important! Once we have an in-depth understanding of your dental needs, we can review all of your treatment options and help you decide which one is best for you. Then, we can provide you with an estimate of the cost and review the different financial solutions available, including dental insurance.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?
Some dental insurance providers do cover the cost of one emergency exam per year as well as a portion of the price of essential restorative care. So, it’s worth reading through the fine print on your plan! If you need any help, feel free to provide us with your membership information. We’re in-network with several popular providers, including Liberty, United Healthcare, and United Concordia, which makes understanding and utilizing your coverage quite simple.
Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable
Don’t have dental insurance? Then ask us about:
- Our Kirlough Family Dentistry Membership Plan – When you become a member, you get immediate access to several benefits that can help you save.
- Flexible Financing with CareCredit – CareCredit is a third-party financier that offers payment plans so you can break up the cost into smaller, more budget-friendly chunks.
If you’d like more details on either of these financial solutions, don’t hesitate to give us a call so a friendly member of our team can help you.
Take Care of Your Smile, Save Money!
Remember, many common dental problems are preventable. So, if you want to save your smile and your wallet from harm, the best thing to do is to prioritize healthy habits, like brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash consistently. It’s also important to schedule a checkup and cleaning with us every six months so we can catch and treat any issues that do arise before they require extensive, costly care.
Important reminder: If you start to experience warning signs of trouble, like pain when biting down, you shouldn’t take the “wait and see” approach. Instead, call us to schedule an appointment with our emergency dentist in Middleburg Heights ASAP.
Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies
While it’s not possible to avoid dental emergencies with 100% certainty, there are a few ways to decrease your chances of experiencing one. With this in mind, keep reading to learn some habits we recommend incorporating into your routine to protect your smile (and your wallet!) from harm.
Schedule a Dental Visit Every Six Months
Remember, your oral hygiene regimen is ultimately incomplete without routine checkups and cleanings. So, it’s important that you schedule an appointment with our dental team in Middleburg Heights every six months. Not only do these visits ensure plaque and tartar are removed, but they also can successfully prevent the small frustrations of today from becoming the outright emergencies of tomorrow.
Important reminder: If you suspect that something is wrong because your gums are bleeding when you floss or you’re dealing with considerable sensitivity, don’t wait – schedule an appointment with Dr. Jon Kirlough right away.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene At Home
All too often, patients brush their teeth and call it a day. However, brushing only cleans about 60% of the surface of your teeth. To clean the remaining 40%, including the spaces between them, you need to floss and rinse with mouthwash as well. It’s also important that you clean your tongue, rinse with mouthwash for 30-60 seconds, and replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every quarter.
Be Cautious With What You Eat
While some foods benefit your oral health, others have the opposite effect. That’s why we recommend limiting your intake of overly hard, chewy, or tough foods, including hard pretzels and popcorn. You also shouldn’t chew on the ice at the bottom of your drink since this can cause your enamel to chip or crack. Basically, it’s best to opt for more smile-friendly foods, like plain yogurt, scrambled eggs, cooked carrots, and oatmeal.
Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
If you play sports that involve physical contact, like football, then wearing a mouthguard is required. However, you should also wear one during non-contact sports, like riding your bike. After all, it takes just one bad fall for you to wind up at our office with a painful dental injury.
Important reminder: If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding), then you should also schedule an appointment at our dental office so we can have an oral appliance made.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Using your teeth to open difficult packaging or remove a bottle cap might seem harmless, but it can quickly lead to a painful dental injury. So, it’s important that you use the appropriate tool instead. For the same reason, we advise against biting your nails, chewing on the back of your pen/pencil, or smoking.
Dental Emergency FAQs
Should I Visit the Emergency Room First for Dental Emergencies?
Unfortunately, most emergency rooms are not able to address dental emergencies effectively. In some cases, ER doctors may be able to prescribe antibiotics or pain medication, but they will likely not be equipped to deal with the deeper issue. However, there are three main exceptions where an ER visit is a better option, including:
- Jaw fractures and dislocations.
- Serious cuts or lacerations to the face or mouth.
- Abscess or infection that is swollen to the point of affecting breathing or swallowing.
In virtually all other circumstances, you should visit a dentist first. At Kirlough Family Dentistry, we offer same-day emergency appointments and have evening and weekend availability. So, if you ever need urgent dental care, we are just a phone call away!
Are Knocked-Out Baby Teeth a Dental Emergency?
If your child’s tooth comes out, don’t try to put it back in the open socket. After all, baby teeth are meant to fall out eventually. However, it is possible for baby teeth to come out too soon, which is why you should schedule an exam for them to ensure no damage has occurred. Permanent teeth can erupt too early if a baby tooth comes out too soon. If bleeding does not stop or you believe they have a damaged jaw, take them to the emergency room.
Do I Need to Visit for Minor Chips to Teeth?
Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). However, it does not have the ability to heal on its own. If your tooth becomes chipped, fractured, or otherwise broken, only professional treatment will prevent further damage. It’s especially important to visit an emergency dentist in Middleburg Heights if your tooth is sharp or jagged as this can lead to you cutting your gums or oral tissue by accident. Depending on the severity of the damage, Dr. Kirlough has multiple solutions.
How Should I Sleep with Tooth Pain?
When dealing with a toothache at night, it’s best to keep your head elevated. Supporting your upper body with a stack of pillows prevents blood from rushing to your head and intensifying your toothache. In addition, you can take over-the-counter pain medication as needed and use a cold compress to reduce your discomfort. Finally, if you are experiencing tooth pain, avoid foods that are acidic, cold, or hard right before bed for improved comfort.
Can Superglue Be Used to Repair Broken Dentures?
If you accidentally drop your dentures and they break, you should not use superglue to try to fix them. The chemicals in superglue can be toxic and result in allergic reactions in some patients. It can also affect the way food tastes – and not in a good way! Additionally, superglue does not do well in damp environments, so chances are it won’t last for very long after it’s applied to your dentures.
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