How to Get Affordable Emergency Dental Work Without Insurance 

A dental emergency can be scary enough; worrying about how you will pay for treatment when you don’t have dental insurance only increases the anxiety. This article discusses what you can do if you have severe tooth pain and no insurance.

A dental emergency refers to situations involving the teeth, gums, or jaw that require immediate medical attention due to pain, risk of infection, or potential for further complications. However, it’s important to note that not all tooth-related problems constitute an emergency or require a visit to the ER. To help you determine if your situation is a dental emergency, ask yourself these five questions:

1. Are you experiencing severe pain?
2. Do you have an oral infection?
3. Is your mouth bleeding?
4. Have you lost a tooth or several ones?
5. Do you have a swollen jaw?  

These questions can help you determine if you’re dealing with dental problems that require immediate medical attention. We’ll discuss more of these dental complications in the next section. Many dental offices offer emergency services or can recommend where you should go to get treated. If a dental emergency occurs when dental offices are not open, going to an emergency room might be necessary, especially if there’s severe pain or uncontrollable bleeding.

9 Dental Emergencies You Should Know

7 Common Causes of Toothache

3 Options to Save on Dental Emergencies

Advantages of a Dental Savings Plan

9 Dental Emergencies You Should Know 

Below are some common dental emergencies, but don’t treat this as medical advice. If you suspect you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist immediately. 

Severe Toothache: Persistent pain in your tooth, especially if accompanied by swelling or other signs of an infection, qualifies as a dental emergency.

Knocked-out Tooth: If a tooth is completely knocked out, see a dentist as soon as possible. In some cases, the tooth can be reinserted and saved if addressed quickly.

Broken, Chipped, or Cracked Tooth: This type of injury may expose the inner parts of the tooth, causing pain or potential infection.

Lost Filling or Crown: This leaves the tooth vulnerable to further damage or decay. 

Abscess or Tooth Infection: Characterized by severe oral pain, swelling, fever, and/or pus. It’s essential to address an abscess promptly, as the infection can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Soft Tissue Injuries: Injuries to the gums, tongue, lips, or cheeks, especially those causing significant bleeding or trauma, need immediate attention.

Swelling or Trauma to the Jaw: Swelling or pain in the jaw can be indicative of an infection or trauma, both of which require emergency care.

Persistent oral bleeding: Infection, certain medications, underlying health issues, and trauma to the mouth can all cause oral bleeding. Regardless of the cause, seek emergency care immediately.

Loose Tooth or Teeth: Adult teeth shouldn’t be loose. A wobbly tooth, especially without any trauma, can be a sign of infection or a dental issue that needs attention.

If you are experiencing any of the above issues, it’s important to see a dentist ASAP. 

7 Common Causes of Toothache

There are several reasons why you might develop tooth pain. Since each cause presents different symptoms, it’s important to address them early by seeking medical or dental attention. Here are seven common causes of toothache you should be aware of.

Cavities: A cavity occurs when a small hole forms in your tooth, before enlarging over time. If you have poor oral hygiene, then you are at an elevated risk of developing one or several cavities.

Gum Disease: Gum disease is caused by a buildup of bacteria-laden plaque that can result in an infection in the tissues supporting your teeth. Left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth decay and loss, and has been linked to medical conditions such as heart disease, strokes, cancer and dementia.

Wisdom Teeth: If you’ve been experiencing pain in both the upper and lower back of your molar area, then this could indicate your wisdom teeth need to be removed. If left unaddressed, these teeth will continue to develop and inflict pressure on the surrounding teeth. A proper surgical procedure is the best course of action here.

Abnormal Bite: An abnormal bite occurs when your top teeth don’t align properly with your bottom teeth when biting down. Common causes can include thumb-sucking, impacted teeth, and jaw injury. While an abnormal bite isn’t an emergency, don’t ignore it. A dentist will either recommend surgery or braces to correct your bite.

Sinus Infection: If you experience pain in the back of your upper teeth, you might be dealing with a sinus infection. If the sinuses located on the back of your upper jaw become inflamed, then you may experience pain around nearby teeth.

Trigeminal Neuralgia: This is nerve damage that can cause painful sensations on one side of the face. You might feel pain in your upper jaw, lower jaw, or around your cheek. If standard medications don’t help alleviate the pain, consult a doctor.

Oral Cancer: Common symptoms of oral cancer include teeth pain and swelling around the jaw. Without preventive treatment that addresses oral cancer, your pain will persist and your teeth will eventually become loose.

3 Options to Save on Dental Emergencies 

Severe tooth pain with no insurance is not a situation you should be in. If you don’t already have dental insurance, don’t assume you can purchase one to reduce the cost of your dental emergency care.

Many dental insurance plans typically have a waiting period of 6-12 months (and, in some cases, up to two years) before you’re covered for procedures such as root canals, crowns, and other restorative treatments.

Depending on the insurance, it may never cover care for dental problems that you had before you purchased the plan. Always check insurance plan details. So what can you do if you don’t have insurance and you can’t afford to pay for emergency dental care? Some dental plans are designed for helping you save on emergency dental care.

Many dental savings plans, an affordable alternative to dental insurance, offer immediate activation so you can purchase a plan and use it right away to save on the emergency dental care you need. Plus, you’ll then have the plan in your pocket for any future dental care needs.

Advantages of a dental savings plan 

You pay less for quality dental care. Save on most dental procedures. Plan members report an average savings of 50%* on their dental care at more than 140,000 dentists and specialists nationwide – that’s about 70% of all dental practices in the U.S. 

You don’t have to wait. Unlike dental insurance, there are no waiting periods before you can use your card to save on dental care.

You don’t have to worry about annual spending limits. You can save on the care you need, when you need it – from checkups and cleanings to restorative care, like crowns, root canals, braces, dental bridges, dentures and even dental implants.  on the cost of their dental care.

You don’t have to worry. Dental savings plans are easy to join and easy to use. There are no health screenings, background checks, or limits on age. And plan members don’t have to wait for reimbursements, you simply pay your reduced rate directly to the dentist when you receive dental care.  

You can get bonus savings. Many dental savings plans include – at no additional cost – savings on prescription medicines, eye and hearing care, eyeglasses/contact lenses, and chiropractic services. Select plans include savings on telehealth, wellness services, and other healthy lifestyle offerings.

Want help choosing a plan quickly so you can get the care you need now? Give us a call at 1-833-735-0399 or use our savings calculator below to see the reduced rates you can get with a dental savings plan.