July 7, 2026
We’ve all been there. It’s 10:00 PM on a Friday, and suddenly, that dull ache in your molar decides to become a full-blown dental emergency. Your heart starts racing, you’re scrolling through Google at record speeds, and you’re wondering if you should just drive to the Emergency Room.
Stop right there.
When it comes to dental emergencies, panic often leads to expensive, painful mistakes. Most people aren't dental experts, so when a tooth chips or a gum starts bleeding, we fall back on old wives' tales or expensive hospital visits that don't actually solve the problem.
At The TeleDentists, we see these mistakes every day. The good news? Most of them are easily avoidable. Here are the seven most common mistakes people make during a dental emergency, and how you can get professional help in under 10 minutes for just $64.
This is easily the #1 mistake. Many people think, "Maybe if I sleep on it, the pain will go away."
Spoiler alert: Dental pain is your body’s alarm system. Unlike a cold or a bruised knee, a tooth infection or a deep cavity won't heal itself. By waiting, you’re giving bacteria more time to travel deeper into the tooth or even into your jawbone. What could have been a simple filling on Monday can quickly turn into an abscessed tooth requiring a root canal by Wednesday.
The Fix: If you feel pain, see a dentist immediately. Even if it’s "just a little sensitive," a quick virtual consultation can help you determine if you need to be seen in person today or if it can wait until the morning.
It seems logical, it’s an emergency, so you go to the Emergency Room, right? Not quite.
Most ERs are not equipped with dental chairs, drills, or even dentists. The doctors there are incredible at saving lives, but they aren't trained to fix a broken crown or perform an extraction. In most cases, the ER will give you a prescription for pain meds or antibiotics and tell you to "see your dentist on Monday."
The result? You’re stuck with a hospital bill that can range from $500 to over $1,500, and your tooth is still broken.
The Fix: Unless you are having trouble breathing, experiencing severe facial swelling that's closing your eye, or have a broken jaw, skip the ER. A teledentistry visit can provide the same prescriptions and triage for a fraction of the cost.
We’ve heard it all: people trying to glue a crown back on with Superglue, or using a sewing needle to "drain" a gum abscess.
Please, don't do this.
Household glues contain toxins that can damage the living tissue inside your tooth. Using unsterilized tools to poke at your gums can introduce even more dangerous bacteria into your bloodstream. You’re not just risking your tooth; you’re risking a systemic infection.
The Fix: If a crown pops off, keep it clean and put it in a small baggie. If you have a sharp edge on a broken tooth, you can use a small piece of sugarless chewing gum or dental wax from a drugstore to cover the point until you can speak with a professional.
If a tooth is knocked out (avulsed), you have a "Golden Hour" to save it. The biggest mistake people make is touching the root of the tooth or scrubbing it clean. The root has delicate fibers that are essential for the tooth to reattach to your jaw.
The Fix:
This is an old-school remedy that just won't die. Some people think that placing an aspirin tablet directly against a painful tooth will provide "targeted" relief.
In reality, aspirin is an acid. Placing it directly on your soft gum tissue will cause a chemical burn, making your mouth even more painful than before.
The Fix: Swallow your pain medication as directed on the bottle. If you need topical relief, look for over-the-counter gels containing benzocaine, but remember that these only mask the symptoms, they don't fix the cause.
Many people suffer in silence because they don't have dental insurance and fear a "surprise" bill of hundreds of dollars just for a consultation. This delay is what turns a $150 filling into a $2,000 dental implant later on.
The reality is that dental care has become much more accessible thanks to technology. You don't need a high-end insurance plan to get an expert opinion.
The Fix: The TeleDentists offers a flat-rate consultation for $64. No hidden fees, no insurance required. You get 24/7 access to a board-licensed dentist who can diagnose your issue, prescribe necessary medications, and even help you find a local dentist for follow-up care.
When you’re in pain, you aren’t thinking clearly. You’re likely to make one of the mistakes listed above because you’re just trying to stop the hurting.
The Fix: Bookmark a reliable teledentistry service on your phone today. Think of it like "Uber for Dentists." Whether you're traveling, it's the middle of the night, or your regular dentist is booked for three weeks, you should have a 24/7 option ready to go.
At The TeleDentists, we’ve revolutionized how dental emergencies are handled. We believe that everyone deserves quick, affordable access to oral healthcare, regardless of the time of day or their insurance status.
For just $64, you can skip the waiting room and the expensive ER bill. Within 10 minutes, you’ll be on a video call with a licensed dentist who can:
Don't let a simple mistake turn into a permanent problem. Whether it's a toothache, a broken wire on your braces, or a suspicious bump on your gums, we're here to help.
Ready to talk to a dentist right now?
Start Your $64 Virtual Consultation Here
Can a virtual dentist prescribe medication?
Yes. Our dentists can prescribe antibiotics for infections and non-narcotic pain relievers to manage discomfort until you can receive in-person treatment.
Do I need a special app?
No app is required! You can connect through any smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and internet connection.
What if I need an extraction or a filling?
While we can't perform physical procedures virtually, we provide the essential "Triage" phase. We stabilize your situation, manage the pain/infection, and provide a direct referral to a local dentist who can perform the physical work.
Is teledentistry covered by insurance?
Many major providers like Anthem, Aetna, and Cigna do cover teledentistry! However, if you don't have insurance, our flat fee of $64 is designed to be affordable for everyone. Check out our FAQ page for more details.
