Emergency Dentist — Westminster, CO

How We Treat Dental Emergencies

1. Call: The first step you should always take if you’re experiencing a dental emergency is to call our office. We’ll provide you with first aid guidance and help you minimize any chances of sustaining additional oral damage until you reach us.
2. Examine: Once you arrive, our team will jump into action by taking any necessary X-rays or other diagnostic images, and one of our emergency dentists will complete a thorough examination of your mouth. Based on our team’s findings, we’ll be able to diagnose the problem at-hand.
3. Plan: Once we’ve made a diagnosis, we’ll outline our recommended treatment plan, answer your questions and schedule any necessary appointments for these procedures.

The Most Common Dental Emergencies

When faced with a worrisome dental emergency, being able to trust in an experienced and compassionate dentist for support can make a world of difference. If you find yourself in need of urgent care, call our office immediately to schedule an appointment with Drs. Bancroft or Lim. We’ll provide you with over-the-phone first aid guidance and schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible.

Understanding the Cost of Dental Emergencies 

The cost of treating a dental emergency depends on a variety of factors, including the extent of the damage to your smile, what type of treatment you require, and whether you’ll need follow-up care. After Drs. Bancroft or Lim have had an opportunity to examine your mouth and diagnose the problem, our team will provide you with a detailed cost estimate and treatment outline so you know exactly what to expect. We’re also in-network with most major PPO plans and offer additional financing through CareCredit as well as our in-house membership plan to make treatment more affordable.

Keys to Preventing Dental Emergencies

Preventing a dental emergency is always better than waiting until something serious happens. Knowing how to better protect your teeth and other areas of your mouth will prove beneficial in helping you avoid unexpected visits to the dentist’s office. Dr. Bancroft and our team at J.B. Dental are here to provide a few key ways to lower your risk of a dental emergency, but you’re always welcome to call us if you have any questions.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Maintaining regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings with Dr. Bancroft and our team is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your smile from injury and decay. Using state-of-the-art instruments and technologies, we can easily detect early signs of cavities and gum disease as well as identify any damage to existing restorations. By keeping these appointments, you can reduce your chances of needing restorative or emergency care in the future.

Keep Brushing and Flossing at Home

Good at-home oral hygiene habits are just as important as regular checkups and cleanings. Making sure that you brush your teeth twice daily for two full minutes as well as floss at least once daily and use appropriate mouthwash when instructed will keep the bacteria in your mouth to a minimum. This reduces the risk of infection, decay, and other serious oral health problems that can require immediate dental care if left undetected or untreated.

Be Mindful of What You Eat

Cavities can form if your diet consists of too much sugar, starch, or highly acidic foods and beverages. This is why it’s important to watch what you eat. Instead of loading up on carbs, sweets, and fruit juices, try incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens like kale or spinach, lean meats like chicken or fish, and low-fat dairy. This will offer better protection to your teeth and gums while also giving your body what it needs to stay healthy.

Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Teeth

Whether you enjoy playing sports or suffer from bruxism, a customized mouthguard is necessary. When engaging in physical activity, this customized oral appliance can protect against chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth during a game. When dealing with teeth grinding and clenching at night, a mouthguard can prevent teeth from moving against each other, reducing wear and tear to your tooth enamel as well as jaw pain. Our mouthguards are custom-made using a digital scan of your smile so that they fit comfortably and work effectively.

Use Tools to Open Packages, Not Your Teeth

When receiving a package, you may be tempted to use your teeth to tear it open to see what is inside. Unfortunately, this eagerness can lead to damaged teeth or gums. Instead of enjoying the contents of the package, you’ll find yourself driving to see your emergency dentist. Instead, take the time to find the right tools so that your smile remains better protected from accidental harm.

Root Canals

Many patients fear hearing the words “root canal” in the dentist’s office, but our team is here to reassure you that there’s nothing to worry about. In fact, this procedure can be your smile’s saving grace! During root canal therapy, your emergency dentist will carefully access the inner pulp of the infected tooth and remove dangerous bacteria before covering the treated structure with a customized dental crown for long-term protection. Today’s state-of-the-art tools and comfort techniques have helped make root canals very simple, and most treated teeth are able to stay safe in your natural smile for many more years.

Learn More About Root Canals

Tooth Extractions

Extraction is never a service that our team will recommend lightly – preserving and protecting natural teeth is virtually always the best course of action. However, there are circumstances where removing one or more teeth may be what’s best for the patient’s health and wellbeing, such as:

• When a tooth has suffered a traumatic injury
• When advanced decay and/or periodontal disease has severely affected a tooth’s health
• When the patient needs orthodontic treatment and more room has to be created in the mouth
• When younger patients have “baby” teeth that are overstaying their welcome and preventing adult teeth from emerging

Drs. Bancroft and Lim will address every unique extraction case from a personalized angle, taking the time to ensure the patient feels comfortable and safe throughout the treatment process.

Learn More About Tooth Extractions

Dental Emergency FAQs

A dental emergency can make your life grind to a sudden halt. The pain, swelling, and other symptoms can make it difficult if not impossible for you to concentrate on work, enjoy time with family and friends, and consume a balanced diet. That’s why you should seek treatment for your dental emergency as soon as possible — before the problem gets worse and leads to potentially life-threatening complications. But  how  exactly should you handle these situations? Let’s examine some FAQs regarding urgent oral health problems.