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What to Do in a Dental Emergency: Understanding Coverage in California

Posted: August 28, 2024

What to Do in a Dental Emergency: Understanding Coverage in California

Dental emergencies can happen anytime and often when we least expect them. Treating them can be expensive, which is why having a comprehensive dental insurance plan is essential to minimize the financial burden. The right dental plan can alleviate stress and get you the care you need in an emergency.

Call your dentist immediately if you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, bleeding or a fever. If your problem isn’t as urgent or you want to prepare for future emergencies, read our tips below. We’ll cover how to manage the most common injuries and check your insurance plan so you don’t end up paying all the fees yourself.

Types of Dental Emergencies

A dental emergency involves any complications with your teeth and mouth area that will result in death or severe pain. It can also include less life-threatening issues, such as any problems that will make you sick, stop you from eating or alter your appearance.

There are three main types of dental emergencies:

  • Trauma involving direct or indirect impact on the tooth and surrounding areas can cause problems such as cracked or lost teeth.
  • Dental infections can cause pain and swelling and spread to other parts of the body.
  • Patients can experience excessive bleeding or swelling following dental surgery.

If you are experiencing mild tooth pain, a small chip or cut or have something stuck in your teeth, you should book a time to see your dentist. However, these scenarios are not classified as an emergency, so you’ll have to book a normal dentist appointment.

1. Check Your Plan

The first thing you should do if you have a dental emergency is check your insurance plan. Reviewing your plan before you receive treatment can save you money due to insurance policy restrictions.

There are two standard dental plans in California:

  • Dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) plan: You must see a dentist within the DMHO’s network and receive a referral from your dentist to see a specialist.
  • Dental preferred provider organization (DPPO) plan: This type of plan is more flexible and expensive than a DHMO plan. You’ll save money when you choose a dentist inside the insurer’s network, but you can also see dentists outside the network. You may not need referrals to see a specialist.

Depending on your chosen plan, you will need to be mindful of who you go to with your dental emergency. With a DPPO plan, you can see any dentist, but with the DHMO plan, you need to visit an insurance-approved dentist. When you sign up for a dental plan, it’s a good idea to note which dentists you can see and what their emergency procedures are.

Some dental insurance plans have waiting periods for specific dental treatments. Ensure you are aware of these in advance or that you choose a plan without them so you don’t end up paying out-of-pocket for your dental emergency.

2. Call Your Dentist


Once you know what your dental plan covers, call your dentist immediately. Let them know that you have an emergency and explain the situation in detail. They can book you in to see the dentist as soon as possible and provide instructions on what to do while you wait. If your emergency occurs after hours, call your dentist’s emergency number.

It is often a good idea to ask your dentist for an initial quote for your treatment and check this with your insurer. They can give you an idea of how much your plan will cover and how much you’ll have to pay on the day.

Most dental issues can be treated in the dentist’s room. If you have a more severe problem like a broken jaw, uncontrollable bleeding or you can’t swallow or breathe, go straight to the hospital’s emergency room or call an ambulance.

3. Manage the Symptoms

While you wait to see your dentist, there are some at-home remedies that you can use to alleviate the pain and manage the problem.

Toothache

Multiple problems can cause toothaches, with some more severe than others. To rule out stuck food, rinse your mouth with warm water and floss your teeth. If something is stuck in your teeth, don’t use a knife, pin or anything sharp to dislodge it, as this can cause permanent damage.

If nothing is stuck in your teeth and it still hurts, apply a cold compress and wait to see your dentist.

Broken, Chipped or Knocked-Out Tooth

If your tooth has been chipped, dislodged or knocked out, it’s important to save any pieces. You can rinse the tooth or broken pieces, being careful not to remove any tissue fragments.

For a knocked-out tooth, place the tooth back in your mouth without forcing it. If you can’t put your tooth back in, hold it in your mouth or a glass of milk until you can see the dentist. You should try to see your dentist within an hour of losing your tooth.

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water and apply a cold compress to the area to keep the swelling down.

Lost Filling or Crown

For a lost filling, you can stick a piece of sugarless gum or some dental cement into the cavity as a temporary fix while waiting for your appointment.

For a lost crown, keep the crown safe and try to see your dentist right away. You can also use dental cement to stick the crown back onto the tooth while you wait.

Abscess

An abscess is a type of infection in your teeth or gums. These infections can become quite serious, so try to see your dentist right away if you suspect you have one. Symptoms include painful bumps, pus and swelling. Before your appointment, rinse your mouth with salt water and take painkillers or anti-inflammatories.

Soft-Tissue Injury

These types of injuries include any cuts or damage to your lips, tongue or gums that cause bleeding. To stop the bleeding, rinse your mouth with salt water and apply pressure with a moistened piece of gauze or towel. A cold compress can also help reduce bleeding and pain.

For bleeding that doesn’t stop, go to an emergency room straight away while keeping the gauze in place the whole time.

Choose the Best Dental Health Plan with Health for California

When you have a dental emergency, you’ll want fast treatment with your preferred health care provider without waiting or paying out-of-pocket. At Health for California, we can help you choose a dental plan that provides the best emergency care. Our agents will take you through every step of the application process and answer all your questions.

Contact us today to discuss your dental plan options, or fill out our online form to request a free quote. You’ll have an affordable dental insurance plan in no time!