Pediatric Emergency Dentistry Portland
Fast Dental Care When You Need It Most
Nothing is worse than seeing your child in pain, and toothaches can be especially bad because there’s not a ton you can do about them at home. But the relief they deserve is always just a phone call away at Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children. We’re often able to get emergency patients in the same day, so if your child is dealing with a toothache or dental injury, don’t wait to reach out to our pediatric emergency dentist in Portland.
Why Choose Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children for Pediatric Emergency Dentistry?
- Same-Day Dental Emergency Appointments for Children
- Trusted by Portland Families for Decades
- Led by Two Children’s Dentistry Experts
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How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Initial Call: The fastest way to reach our team and get an appointment is to call our office. On the phone, we’ll offer you first-aid tips and schedule your child for as soon as possible.
- Emergency Exam: Once you’re here, we’ll take a look at your child’s teeth and capture X-rays so we fully understand the scope and source of their problems.
- Presentation of Treatment: We’ll talk about their treatment options as well as the associated timelines and costs so you can decide what is best.
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Apply Care: With your approval, we’ll do what we need to get your child out of pain, fix any structural damage, and schedule a follow-up if needed.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
What counts as a dental emergency? Lots of situations! The truth is that it’s better to just call us if your child is experiencing any out-of-the-ordinary oral symptoms. You can view the icons below to see some of the common emergencies we treat and get tips on how to handle them before you’re able to see us.
Understanding the Cost of Treating Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Many parents worry about the cost of their child’s dental emergency and want to know what they might expect to spend before they arrive. However, the amount due depends on your family’s situation. Once you arrive, one of our Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children providers will examine your little one’s teeth and gums to identify the problem. Then, we’ll work with you to come up with an appropriate treatment plan that you can afford.
Continue reading to learn more about how the cost of your kid’s smile-saving care is calculated, and feel free to contact us with additional questions.
Every Pediatric Dental Emergency Is Different
Your child’s emergency is unique, so we can’t provide a detailed estimate until we’ve had a chance to assess the damage. Some issues can be resolved relatively quickly with simple, inexpensive methods like a tooth-colored filling. However, more severe concerns typically require more complex solutions like a root canal and a dental crown, or extraction and replacement if they have a tooth that’s too injured to be saved. We’ll walk you through the information to get your approval before proceeding with any treatment options.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Pediatric Dental Emergencies?
Most insurance policies include some type of coverage for dental emergencies. It’s common for them to cover at least one annual emergency exam, and then they also often contribute anywhere from 50% to 80% of necessary procedures like root canals, restorations, or extractions.
There’s no guarantee, though, so it’s worth verifying the details of your plan. If you’re having difficulty finding the information or need help with claims paperwork, please don’t hesitate to let us know! Our friendly office staff are familiar with many providers and can help you maximize your available benefits.
Other Options for Making Pediatric Dental Emergencies Affordable
At Dr. Pike Dentistry for Children, we’re in-network with Delta Dental Premier, but we’re also familiar with many other insurance providers and can help you understand your coverage. We also know that many families don’t carry dental insurance, and don’t want your concerns over your budget to keep your kid from receiving the care they need and deserve. Please let us know if you’re still concerned about paying for your child’s urgent issue. We’ll work with you to come up with a solution that won’t break the bank.
Taking Care Of Your Child’s Smile Can Save You Money
Although some pediatric dental emergencies are unavoidable, practicing proper preventative care can prevent several potential problems. Establishing an at-home dental hygiene routine of brushing and flossing twice daily consistently removes bacteria and plaque buildup. This strengthens their enamel and increases their resistance to tooth decay and gum disease.
Also, remember that oral issues don’t usually resolve themselves and tend to worsen progressively. As soon as you notice that your little one has a dental problem, contact us to make an appointment. You can avoid more costly and complex repairs later by addressing areas of concern earlier on.
Keys to Preventing Pediatric Dental Emergencies
Our talented dental team is always just a phone call away if you need us – whether it’s because your child is struggling with a painful toothache or they knocked-out a tooth while playing in the backyard. That said, we also want to help prevent dental emergencies in Portland. In this next section, we’re sharing five things that will go a long way in keeping your child’s smile happy and healthy.
Schedule a Dental Visit Every Six Months
When your child’s first tooth emerges (or around their first birthday), you should schedule their first dental checkup. Then, every six months, you should bring them in for an exam and cleaning. These routine visits are crucial for several reasons, including that they ensure we catch tooth decay in the early stages and remove built-up plaque from the hard-to-reach areas of their mouth. So, make sure there is one on the calendar every six months!
Reinforce Good Oral Hygiene Habits At Home
When it comes to preventing cavities, your child’s daily routine matters. So, if you haven’t already, reinforce good habits, like brushing for two full minutes each morning and evening. By the time they have two or more teeth that touch, they should floss to ensure food particles and other debris are thoroughly removed. Typically, mouthwash isn’t necessary until much later (the teenage years). Of course, if you ever have questions about dental care products, you can give us a call – we want to help!
Offer Healthy, Nutrient-Dense Meals
Getting your child to eat healthy, well-balanced meals isn’t always easy. However, it’s extremely important. After all, carrots, broccoli, apples, and other fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with the nutrients your child’s body needs to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Tip: Encourage your child to drink lots of water throughout the day! This will help remove food particles from their teeth while also keeping them hydrated and preventing dry mouth.
Make Sure They Wear a Mouthguard During Sports
Whether your child enjoys playing soccer with their friends in the afternoon or they are on their school’s football team, they need to wear a mouthguard. Otherwise, impact from a bad fall, rogue ball, or accidental elbow to the face can lead to a serious dental injury, like a knocked-out tooth. The good news is that we can have a custom one made for them, ensuring that it fits comfortably, is the appropriate thickness, and provides maximum protection.
Help Break Bad Habits
Does your child bite their nails when they are stressed? Do they chew on the back of their pencil when working on homework? Do they chew on the ice cubes at the bottom of their drink? Habits like these may seem harmless, but they can actually lead to serious dental damage, like a crack in their enamel. For this reason, we strongly recommend doing what you can to help break bad habits when you first notice them.