Mayda Ferguson, DDSEmergency Dentistry – Metairie, LA
High-Quality Dentistry at a Moment’s Notice
At Second Line Family Dentistry, we know how scary dental emergencies can be. Although there’s no way to plan for them, it’s easier to remain calm when you know that you can get high-quality care, fast. Dr. Ferguson is an emergency dentist in Metairie with advanced training and experience to get you out of pain before you know it and is always just a phone call away. If you or a loved one has sudden dental pain or an injury, go ahead and give us a call. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your smile!
Why Choose Second Line Family Dentistry for Emergency Dentistry?
- We Accept & Maximize Your Dental Insurance
- Same-Day Appointments & Walk-Ins Welcome
- Multiple Dental Sedation Methods Available
How We Treat Dental Emergencies
- Over the Phone Guidance. When you call our office, you’ll be greeted by our friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable dental staff. We’ll schedule your appointment for as soon as possible and provide you with first aid guidance to minimize any chances of your smile sustaining additional damage.
- When you arrive at our office, we’ll jump into action by conducting a thorough examination of your teeth and gums as well as taking any necessary X-rays.
- Treatment Plan. Upon completing your oral examination, we’ll be able to diagnose the issue at-hand and come up with a customized treatment plan to address it. Our team will walk you through our procedure recommendations and answer any questions you may have.
- Restore Your Oral Health. Once you consent to moving forward with our plan, we’ll begin treating your emergency right away to restore your oral health and repair any dental damage that may have occurred.
The Most Common Dental Emergencies
There are two main types of dental emergencies, and Dr. Ferguson has plenty of experience handling both: there are sudden, unexpected accidents and injuries, and then there are dental problems that have been developing over time such as toothaches. Regardless of the situation, try to stay calm and call us right away. If it’s outside of business hours and you have to leave a message, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. After providing first aid advice, we’ll schedule the first available appointment.
Understanding the Cost of Emergency Dentistry
The cost of treating a dental emergency can vary quite a bit depending on the situation. After Dr. Ferguson has examined you, she’ll explain her diagnosis and give you her treatment recommendations. In some cases, you may have more than one option (for example, a severe toothache could be treated with either a root canal and dental crown, or an extraction followed by a bridge or dental implant). Once we’ve created a treatment plan, we can give you a cost estimate and review your insurance benefits or financing options.
How to Prevent Dental Emergencies
Prevention is the name of the game for good oral health, especially when it comes to dental emergencies. Here are some tips to minimize them as much as possible:
- Don’t underestimate the importance of good oral hygiene habits. Consistent brushing and flossing go a long way towards preventing problems.
- See us for regular checkups so we can find and treat any issues while they’re still small.
- Don’t use your teeth as tools to open packages or chew on ice, hard candies, etc.
- Wear custom-made oral appliances such as a sports guard or nightguard as needed.
Dental Emergency FAQs
At Second Line Family Dentistry, we want you to be prepared if the worst happens, and that means being well-informed on what to do in the case of a dental emergency. Feel free to talk with Dr. Ferguson during your next appointment about additional ways you can make sure you react quickly and appropriately if something happens. To get you started, here are the answers to some of the questions that patients frequently ask of their emergency dentist in Metairie.
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Can a knocked-out tooth be saved?
It is possible for a tooth that’s been knocked out to be reattached, but only if you receive prompt treatment. Do not grab the roots; pick up the tooth by the end used for chewing. After rinsing, you can try to put the tooth back into its socket; bite down on a handkerchief or a piece of cloth for about five minutes, and keep applying a moderate amount of pressure until you get to your appointment.
If you can’t reinsert the tooth, you can keep it in a container filled with milk or a saline solution instead; the key is to keep it moist. Don’t use water, as too much exposure might damage the roots.
Is a toothache always an emergency?
If a piece of food stuck between your teeth is causing you pain, you can sometimes solve the problem on your own by flossing. Other toothaches might only be temporary. If you suffer from particularly severe or persistent pain that lasts more than a couple of days, however, it could indicate the presence of a larger underlying dental problem. This is especially true if you notice swollen or bleeding gums, a bad taste in your mouth, or a swollen jaw; all of these symptoms could be the sign of an advanced infection that might require a root canal or even an extraction.
Do I need to visit the ER?
The ER should be your first destination for an issue that’s actively threatening your life. If your jaw has been broken or dislocated, if there’s a severe cut in your mouth that’s causing excessive bleeding, or if there’s an oral problem that’s making it hard to breathe or swallow, call 911 or a hospital emergency room right away.
Outside of these situations, though, you’ll want to see your dentist in Metairie for toothaches, broken or lost teeth, and damaged fillings. The emergency room personnel usually won’t be able to do much more than give you antibiotics that can only temporarily treat an infection; for more comprehensive dental care, call us as soon as possible!
How can I avoid a dental emergency?
You can’t completely eliminate the risk of a dental emergency, but you can lower it substantially. Brushing and flossing every day, rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash, and limiting the amount of sugar you eat and drink can go a long way towards preventing tooth decay and thus, helping you avoid an infection. You can protect your teeth from physical damage by wearing a mouthguard during sports and not biting down on hard objects such as ice or pen tips.
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