Dental emergencies aren’t just painful–they can also be a major health risk.
When you have a toothache that doesn’t resolve itself within 24 hours, getting treatment can be critical; but you may be concerned with how you’ll be able to pay for it.
Well, read on, there is help available.
When Is It Time to See a Dentist?
Chances are, your teeth are going to drive your decision to see a dentist. A toothache that doesn’t respond to common home remedies like aspirin or heat aren’t going to go away on their own, and unrelenting pain can certainly make it clear that you need help.
If you’re still uncertain, here are some of the things that constitute a dental emergency:
• Pain when you eat or extreme sensitivity to temperature changes
• Facial swelling
• Severe pain in your tooth or jaw
• Bleeding
• Infected gums
• Difficulty breathing
• A broken tooth
• A tooth that has been knocked out (be sure to put it on ice and bring it to the dentist with you as the doctor may be able to reattach it)
Emergency Dental Care Offers Help
An unexpected trip to the dentist can be very costly. Often times, people have limited dental insurance, or none at all, and that means an unbudgeted expense that can put a strain on family finances. In order to avoid the financial stress emergencies can cause, prudent families invest in an emergency dental care plan. While you may think that dental care plans are too expensive, there are some viable options available.
Medicaid recipients may be eligible to receive dental care though public assistance. A joint effort between the state and federal governments, public assistance automatically covers children under the age of 21; but if you do some research or speak with a caseworker, you may discover that your emergency dental care is also covered. Note: Medicare does not cover dental emergencies.
If you have medical insurance available through your place of work, dental coverage may also be offered. Look through your employee handbook or visit an HR representative to see if dental care is offered through your company policy. While there is a fee for this coverage, it is usually reasonable and could save you money in the long run.
While HMO and indemnity plans may offer dental coverage, they could have hidden costs that make them prohibitive. Be sure to check the price of the premiums, the deductibles, payout ceilings, and the length of the waiting period for certain procedure before contracting for a dental plan.
There are discount dental plans available that offer good coverage at a minimum cost. One of the big advantages of these plans is that there is no waiting period. They also publish a price list so you know what procedures cost, even in an emergency.
A little coverage can be a big help in an emergency. Take the time to do a little research into the dental plans available to you—you’ll be glad you did.
