How To Get Urgent Dental Care Without Insurance
It could be said that we are almost never prepared for a dental emergency. And when these cases occur, we are often engulfed with anxiety and fear, especially if we don’t have insurance to cover the costs. However, this is where you must act. The important thing is to solve the situation.
The ideal and most recommended thing will always be to go to professionals, even if you do not have a dental policy. A specialist will know how to attend to the emergency and provide the necessary treatment safely. Likewise, avoid letting the emergency pass. Not treating an oral emergency in a timely manner can cause severe consequences and even permanent damage that you may later regret.
To help you out, we will show you how to get urgent dental care without insurance in case of an emergency. So keep reading and discover them.
DENTAL EMERGENCY WITHOUT INSURANCE, WHAT TO DO?
Without a doubt, and even if you do not have a policy, you should go to a dental specialist. It is the safest for your health. There are methods that can allow you to access specific health services without the need to have dental insurance.
One of those methods is the MEDICAL CREDIT CARD. These products can be offered by the same health centers. You must be clear that these types of cards are not like those granted by banking institutions.
Credit cards for medical attention are used exclusively to pay for health services and never for other concepts. Another point you should remember is that these cards are not valid in all health centers. So you should check with your provider.
Among the advantages of having a medical card, we have:
• Immediate professional dental care.
• Discount plans.
• Coverage of treatments and surgeries.
OTHER OPTIONS
It is very likely that you can make use of GOVERNMENT DENTAL CLINICS to attend to your emergency. These dental clinics are found in most urban areas operating as public health services. The negative of this type of clinic is its limitation. In general, they do not cover all kinds of circumstances. This could be an obstacle.
Another option is to resort to DENTAL SCHOOLS. They are able to attend to certain types of emergencies at a low cost and with quality service. But you should know that students in training will do it, so they lack experience.
If you do not have the public service option, you should go to a private dental health center. There, you will have to invest in a PAYMENT PLAN, depending on the treatments and services you require.
As you can see, there are other alternatives you can resort to if you do not have a dental policy. The important thing is that you investigate the most suitable according to your case and act quickly.
QUICK TIPS FOR DEALING WITH AN EMERGENCY
Not all cases that arise should be treated in the same way. Each emergency is unique, and you must act according to the case. It is important to reiterate that the advice indicated here, under no circumstances, seeks to replace the due care of a professional.
However, there are small details or actions that we can take when suffering a dental emergency. In general terms, we indicate some of the most common situations and what you should do to deal with the said emergency.
1. SUDDEN SEVERE TOOTHACHE
When a sudden and intense toothache appears, the first action we should take is to rinse with lukewarm water that can be of relief.
It is also interesting to carry out a thorough dental cleaning using mouthwash and dental floss as well as taking some general-use pain reliever until you can make an appointment with your dentist.
2. LOSS OF A TOOTH DUE TO TRAUMA
If you have suffered an accident that has caused you to lose a tooth, the first thing you should do is rinse the loosened tooth gently with water. Right after, apply pressure on the gum to soothe the pain and stop bleeding.
This type of dental emergency cannot wait, and we advise you to see a dentist as soon as possible. The replacement of the tooth in the socket must be quick, ideally within 30 minutes after the accident. Don’t forget to carry the tooth for the dentist to assess whether there are options to keep the original piece.
3. DENTAL ABSCESS
An acute and localized oral infection can lead to a dental abscess, which is an accumulation of pus that causes pain. The problem can affect the root of the tooth or the gum. In either case, it is a dental emergency. You must call your dentist quickly.
If the affected area oozes pus, you can rinse it with hot water and put a cold compress on your cheek. Stopping the infection depends exclusively on the treatment of your dentist.
4. INJURIES CAUSED BY DENTAL APPLIANCES
Dental appliances, whether mobile or fixed, require an adaptation process in which it is common to suffer certain discomfort. However, if the device causes injuries or bleeding, go to your dentist immediately.
The devices can cause irritation that requires dental intervention, such as the adjustment of the arch to prevent friction that ends up causing wounds in the gingival area. If you start to perceive an irritated area, don’t wait and put ORTHODONTIC WAX that acts as a barrier between the dental apparatus and the mucosa. Then go to the dentist, he will solve the problem.
If the problem is due to the breakage of a fastening part and the wire gets stuck in any part of the oral cavity, make an appointment with an orthodontist immediately.
IN SUMMARY
Emergencies or unexpected situations can happen to anyone. The important thing is the response we give to those moments. Thus, dental health is not only about a good physical image, it is also a matter of quality of life. Therefore it requires special attention.
In this article, we have provided you with a series of tips you can apply in dental emergencies. However, you should know that the best option is to take out dental insurance. A dental policy will not only solve a moment of emergency, but also help you enjoy a high quality service. Therefore, you should not see this type of policy as an expense but rather as a long-term investment.