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Emergency Dentist – Topeka & Silver Lake, KS 

Mouth Pain? Broken Tooth? We’re Here to Help!

Dental emergencies can disrupt your entire day without warning, especially when you’re not sure who to call for help with relieving the pain. At Michel Dental, we’d like to be in you and your family’s corner for when these serious instances take place. Our experienced emergency dentists in Tokeka and Silver Lake do their best to accommodate emergency situations as quickly as possible so that patients are never left waiting unnecessarily. In many cases we can even offer same-day appointments. Don’t hesitate – contact us today at either of our practice locations if you’re need of urgent care!

Why Choose Michel Dental For Emergency Dental Care?

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

Pained woman visiting her emergency dentist in Topeka and Silver Lake

Most dental emergencies can be neatly slotted into two major categories. There are the true “accidents” that happen in the space between one second and the other, like knocking a tooth out while playing a contact sport or experiencing a serious fracture after a sudden spill down the stairs. Alternatively, there’s the dreaded toothache, which is typically caused by a gradual infection under the enamel that worsens and worsens over time until it’s unbearable.

No matter what the circumstances are, the Michel Dental team has extensive experience with all types of oral health emergencies, and we’re ready to lend a helping hand. Here’s what you can expect when you turn to us for emergency dental care:

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

There are many different situations that require urgent dental care. Below, you’ll find a chart of the most common dental emergencies we treat on a regular basis. You can click on each one for general tips on how to manage your situation and how we’re most likely to treat it once you reach our office. Remember, if you’re experiencing any of the following, don’t hesitate to give us a call right away!

Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry

Dental chair at emergency dentist

If you have an oral health issue that needs immediate attention, time is of the utmost importance. You can’t lose valuable minutes worried about the cost of an emergency dentist in Topeka & Silver Lake. We offer the affordable solutions you need to save your tooth without breaking the bank. We strive to keep your care within your budget using personalized treatment plans.

Every Dental Emergency is Different

Woman pointing to abscessed tooth

There isn’t a pre-determined fee for emergency dentistry because every case differs. Several factors influence the amount you’ll pay, such as the complexity of the procedure needed. Dr. Michel will perform a thorough examination to determine which treatment suits your needs, such as:

We’ll provide you with an estimate and explain the fees, so you’ll know exactly what you’ll need to pay before committing to a treatment. Rest assured, you won’t deal with any surprise fees.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Dental Emergencies?

Dental insurance for emergency dentistry

Contrary to what you might have heard, many dental insurances offer coverage for emergency situations. You can use your policy to offset the amount you’ll pay, such as the consultation and imaging. Depending on the treatment necessary, you can also use your benefits to lower the amount you pay. After reaching your deductible, your insurance can pay 50% to 80% of the cost until hitting your annual limit. We’ll work on your behalf with your insurance company to maximize your dental benefits to keep your treatment within your budget.

Other Options for Making Dental Emergencies Affordable

Woman in pain at emergency dentist

Besides using your dental insurance, our office offers several options, so finances won’t stand in your way of repairing your smile. Our office welcomes:

Taking Care of Your Smile Can Save You Money

Tooth and money in hands

Dental emergencies are common, but you can take several steps to lower your risk of one. Many sudden oral health issues are caused by an untreated dental problem that has been lingering in the mouth, like a cavity. In addition to brushing and flossing, it’s important to see your dentist at least twice a year to avoid common dental concerns, like tooth decay and gum disease. You can also lower your risk by keeping inedible objects out of your mouth and not using your teeth as tools.

Besides preventable issues, dental emergencies can result from trauma caused during contact sports. Many dentists see sports-related injuries that could have been avoided with an athletic mouthguard. It provides a protective barrier for your teeth and gums to lessen the likeliness of a serious oral health injury, like a broken or knocked-out tooth.

If you need an emergency dentist in Topeka & Silver Lake, contact our office today. We can save your smile without it costing you an arm and a leg.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Woman tries to prevent dental emergencies Topeka & Silver Lake

No two dental emergencies are the same. Every patient is different, and although some are not preventable, others can be mitigated by using the right tools and techniques. At Michel Dental, we believe in providing you with the essentials to minimize your risk for injury while at home, at the office, or even on vacation. While it won’t ever be possible to prevent dental emergencies in Topeka & Silver Lake with 100% certainty, patients and families can dramatically decrease their day-to-day risk by following these simple tips:

Keep Your Regular Dental Appointments

Patient sees dentist in Topeka & Silver Lake

Your dentist is your friend and ally in the pursuit of better oral healthcare. By keeping your six-month checkups and cleanings, you can reduce your risk for tooth decay, gum disease, halitosis, and even oral cancer. At Michel Dental, our team will carefully examine your smile for any problems or abnormalities as well as perform a professional cleaning before discussing any potential treatments that might benefit your oral health. We’ll also offer helpful tips and tricks to use at home to keep your teeth and gums in optimal shape and free of infection.

Stick to An Oral Hygiene Routine at Home

Man brushes teeth in Topeka & Silver Lake

We know your life is busy, but if you want to avoid spending additional time and money at the emergency dental office in Topeka & Silver Lake, you’ll need to maintain a good oral hygiene routine at home. This includes brushing twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, flossing at least once before bed, and rinsing with an ADA-approved mouthwash. By performing these steps regularly, you will significantly lower your risk of more problematic dental health issues and keep your natural, healthy teeth for longer.

Eat Healthy Foods

Woman eats salad in Topeka & Silver Lake

It’s no secret that sugar and carbohydrates are detrimental to your health. When consuming too much of these, your waistband will grow bigger, you’ll be at a higher risk for diabetes and obesity, and you may even begin to experience troubles sleeping. Instead of incorporating these into your daily diet, swap them out for healthier alternatives like leafy greens, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. These foods will improve your gum health, strengthen tooth enamel, and help you to feel full and energetic throughout the day. Not to mention, you’ll reduce your risk for tooth decay and cavities that often occur as a result of increased sugar and starch intake.

Wear a Mouthguard

Woman protects smile in Topeka & Silver Lake

Wearing a protective and customized mouthguard is one of the most effective ways to stay out of the emergency dental office. Whether you enjoy playing sports or suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), these unique devices protect your pearly whites from sudden impact (i.e., chipped or knocked-out teeth) or excessive wear and tear. They’re also great for minimizing additional pressure placed on your jaw and facial muscles, which can lead to problems with your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and chronic jaw pain.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

Man safeguards smile in Topeka & Silver Lake

Scissors, pliers, and other actual tools are meant to open packages and containers, not your teeth. Tooth enamel may be the hardest substance in your body, but it’s not indestructible. Applying too much pressure by using your teeth to tear open a package or pull small plastic tabs from clothes or other products will wear down your enamel and potentially cause chips or small fractures to occur over time. It’s best to leave it up to the real professionals (i.e., your tools) to complete the job.

Dental Emergency FAQ’s 

Man with toothache in Topeka Silver Lake should visit his dentist

At Michel Dental, our hope is that you never have to deal with a dental emergency. But if you or a loved one ever finds yourself in pain, rest assured that we’ve got you covered. To help you manage the situation until you arrive for treatment, we’ve put together answers to several common FAQs below. But if you have other questions or need an emergency dentist in Topeka or Silver Lake, feel free to contact us anytime. With two locations and same-day appointments, we’re always here for you!

Can I Take Over-the-Counter Pain Medication for Dental Pain?

Yes - OTC medication can certainly be used to stay a little more comfortable until we’re able to treat you. For many people, Ibuprofen is an effective choice for dental pain, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. If you’re bleeding from an injury or if you take a prescription blood-thinner like Warfarin, you may want to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) instead. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs (e.g. aspirin, naproxen) thin your blood and can prevent proper clotting.

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of the Dentist?

As an emergency dentist in Silver Lake and Topeka, we’re always just a phone call away, but some dental emergencies require medical attention first. Go to the nearest ER or urgent care center in the following situations:  

  • You have bleeding that won’t stop, even after applying pressure for 15 minutes.
  • If you’ve knocked out a tooth and can’t see us within an hour (past this point, it’s usually not possible to save the tooth).
  • When you think your jaw is fractured or dislocated.
  • If you have swelling or a severe toothache and can’t make it to our office within a few hours (you may have an infection that needs antibiotics as soon as possible).

How Long Can I Put Off Seeing a Dentist?

In an emergency, we recommend calling us right away. Dental problems get worse with time, which often leads to more severe pain as well as more damage to your teeth. In addition, certain types of emergencies such as dental infections and knocked-out teeth need to be addressed immediately to avoid further complications.

My chipped tooth doesn’t hurt. Do I still need to visit?

Yes, you do! After all, dental pain and sensitivity aren’t the only reasons to visit the dentist. With chipped teeth specifically, there is the risk that an infection can develop or the tooth can break further. Plus, your surrounding teeth and gums could’ve been damaged in the incident as well. For all those reasons, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us within a day or two, even if you aren’t experiencing any discomfort or the chip seems relatively minor.

Can I fix dentures that are broken in half?

You cannot fix your dentures with super glue or any other household adhesives. Remember, these contain toxins that are not safe to ingest, and wearing broken dentures can lead to further complications, like soft tissue injuries. So, if your dentures has a small crack, has shattered into several pieces, or something in between, give us a call – we’ll take it from there.

Should knocked-out teeth be placed in water?

Although water benefits your oral health in more ways than one, it can’t preserve the root surface cells of teeth. In other words, you shouldn’t place a knocked-out tooth in water. Instead, you should place it in a clean container filled with milk or, if that’s not available, put it back in its socket.

What is causing my jaw pain?

Jaw pain often stems from impacted wisdom teeth, chronic teeth grinding, or TMJ dysfunction. The good news is that our Topeka dental team has solutions for each! So, if you’ve been struggling with persistent jaw pain, give us a call so we can conduct an exam and learn more about your symptoms. From there, we can determine what the source of your discomfort is as well as the best way to alleviate it.

What does chronic bad breath mean?

If you have chronic bad breath, it’s always a good idea to take a look at your diet. If it’s filled with acidic, spicy, and pungent foods, then the solution may be as simple as adjusting your meals. If, on the other hand, you’re struggling with a persistent odor on your breath that doesn’t go away even when you brush your teeth or chew gum, then you should schedule an appointment with us ASAP so we can see if an untreated oral health issue, like gum disease, is to blame.

Can I pop a dental abscess on my own?

Although it may seem like a simple fix, you cannot pop a dental abscess on your own. If you do, the infection can spread, negatively impacting your oral and overall health even further. Simply put, if you have a pimple-like bump or blister on your gums, don’t try to ignore it or “wait it out.” Instead, get an appointment on the calendar ASAP so we can restore your healthy smile.

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