Updated on January 14, 2025
3 min read
Dental Emergency, No Insurance: How to Find Affordable Care
NewMouth is reader supported. We may earn a commission if you purchase something using one of our links. Advertising Disclosure.
In this article
A dental emergency involves either a worsening infection or trauma. These are dental issues that require immediate treatment.
Knowing how to quickly recognize these issues will help enable the best possible outcome.
Bacterial infections can begin within a tooth or in the tissues surrounding a tooth.
Infections spread into the jawbone around the teeth regardless of where they begin. If these infections aren't treated promptly, they can spread into the tissues of the face and neck.
An emergency dentist will provide antibiotic therapy and address the cause of the infection with dental treatment.
Infections that cause swelling inside or outside the mouth can be treated with:
A spreading infection is dangerous anywhere in the human body. The unique danger of dental infections is their proximity to the airway and brain.
In rare cases, dental infections can lead to death when left untreated.
Dental trauma refers to mouth-related injuries. Injuries to the mouth can be painful and should receive immediate treatment.
Dental trauma can occur through:
Urgent dental care is necessary if an injury to the face breaks, moves, or knocks out a tooth.
A knocked-out tooth is the most urgent of these situations. When an entire tooth comes out, you have the chance of “saving” it by re-implanting it into the socket.
The sooner this occurs, the better your chance that it will be successful.
Calculate your dental savings now with a DentalPlans plan. Visit DentalPlans.
If you lack dental insurance and need care, there are ways to receive dental treatment at reduced or no cost.
Here are some possible options to consider:
Dental colleges offer dental treatment to patients at a fraction of the cost of private practice care. Dental students complete the treatment under the supervision of faculty.
Many dental offices offer payment plans or financing options for expensive dental treatments. This allows you to make payments on your treatment over a selected length of time.
Most urban areas have dental clinics operating as public health services. These clinics offer low-cost treatment to patients who meet the clinic’s specific criteria.
Many cities have charity clinics operated by nonprofits or churches. Dentists volunteer their time to treat patients for free.
Various state dental associations host charity events. During these events, dentists come together to treat hundreds of patients within a single weekend.
With a discount dental plan, you’ll pay a monthly or annual fee ($100 to $200) and save 10 to 60% on dental care.
Some situations don't require the attention of an emergency dentist:
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can sometimes help relieve symptoms. If the condition isn't getting noticeably worse, it's likely not a dental emergency. Check with your dentist to be sure.
Tired of paying full price for dental work? Save with Discount Dental Plans. Learn more here or call (833) 704-2246
The only way to avoid a dental emergency due to infection is to regularly go to the dentist. They can catch dental problems before they become an emergency.
Some trauma is unavoidable, but you can prevent trauma from sports injuries by wearing an athletic mouth guard during contact sports.
In this article
Ready for Affordable Dental Care?
DentalPlans makes finding affordable dental care simple. Compare top plans, know your exact costs, and find the perfect dentist near you.
Less than a minute.
6 min read
4 min read
4 min read
5 min read
7 min read