Getting proper dental care shouldn’t break the bank. Don’t go to a hospital emergency room to treat your tooth problem—call your dentist.
Unfortunately, many people in the United States and Little Rock are entering the emergency rooms every year with a dental problem and leaving with a four-figure bill and a generic prescription for painkillers. When you need emergency dental care, this is not what is going to save your teeth. Thankfully, there is a better solution. When it comes to broken or aching teeth and gums, the dentists at Arkansas Family Dental can provide specialized emergency services that emergency rooms cannot. Plus, through regular dentist visits and at-home care, you can largely avoid emergencies completely. Here’s a look at the disadvantages that come with heading to the ER rather than trusting your dental emergency to us:
Expensive and Ineffective Treatment
The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that dental-related emergency room visits nearly doubled from 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.1 million in 2010. Visiting the ER for dental issues can be extremely inefficient, not to mention costly. A simple tooth extraction in the ER can run you well over $1,000, whereas emergency services at the dentist’s office may cost less than $200 with insurance.
What’s more, ER dental procedures are often generalized and fail to treat the source of the problem. Most emergency rooms aren’t equipped with the specialized tools and technology necessary to diagnose dental issues. Additionally, while some physicians may have a background knowledge of dentistry, the majority lack the training necessary to properly treat oral health issues. In most cases, ER dental treatment results in a prescription for painkillers or antibiotics, leaving the root issue unresolved until you go visit your dentist for treatment.
Preventable Diseases
Most dental emergencies are preventable through routine dental checkups and proper self-care. Factors such as poor diet, insufficient oral hygiene, lack of dental insurance, and distance from a dentist’s office all play a role in the decision of many to seek dental care at the ER. Those who avoid dental care actually initiate dental problems that end up becoming dental emergencies.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly half of all Americans over 30 suffer from the gum disease periodontitis, a preventable oral disease that deteriorates the bone underneath your teeth. Roughly 10% of Americans have severe periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss and greatly increase the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Routine dental checkups and smart habits as advised by an experienced dentist can greatly reduce the chances of developing these diseases, which often lead to their own health emergencies.
Likewise, tooth decay, an issue that is almost 100% preventable, remains the biggest dental threat to children 18 years and younger. Without proper dental care, chronic tooth decay brings with it tooth loss, extreme and unyielding pain, and severe infections. Roughly a quarter of American children live with tooth decay, and nearly half of all children in low-income families suffer from it. With a dentist’s guidance, kids can take oral health into their own hands and help prevent tooth decay and other life-threatening dental issues.
Why Dental Visits Are a Better Option
Specialized dental treatment is not only a more effective and affordable form of emergency dental care, but a lifelong educational process. Families who visit their dentist regularly have access to invaluable information on tooth care, brushing and flossing, and specialized issues that ER physicians are not trained to address.
For personalized, quality dental care you can afford, look no further than Arkansas Family Dental. We provide fast, cost-efficient emergency services including fillings, restorations, extractions, root canals, and orthodontic repairs. Call us at 501.683.8886 or fill out our appointment request form to address your dental emergency now.
Leave a Reply