What are your emergency hours?

Business hours: 8am, 5pm Monday, Thursday. After-hours: voicemail routes to the on-call doctor. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

Can I come in without an appointment?

Please call first, we'll almost certainly see you, but calling ahead means the right doctor and equipment are ready.

What if I'm not a current patient?

We see emergency patients we've never met before. If you become a regular after, great, no obligation.

Does insurance cover emergency visits?

Most dental plans cover an emergency exam and X-ray. Any treatment beyond that is covered per your plan's rules, we verify before we start.

Should I go to the ER instead?

Go to the ER if there's facial swelling affecting breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, or trauma with possible head injury.

What counts as a true dental emergency?

Severe tooth pain that keeps you awake, a knocked-out permanent tooth, a cracked or broken tooth with sharp pain, uncontrolled bleeding after an extraction, a lost crown or filling leaving the tooth exposed, and swelling in the face or jaw that is spreading. If swelling involves the eye or throat or you have trouble breathing, go to the emergency room first and call us after.

How much does an emergency dental visit cost in Provo?

Emergency exam and X-ray typically runs between $150 and $250 before any treatment. Treatment cost depends on what is needed. A simple filling, a crown, a root canal, or an extraction all price differently. We give you the number for the treatment plan before you say yes, and we accept most PPO insurance plans along with CareCredit financing.

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Pick the tooth up by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently with milk or saline if it is dirty. Do not scrub it. Try to place the tooth back in the socket and bite down on a piece of gauze. If you cannot replant it, put the tooth in a cup of milk and get to our office within 60 minutes. The faster the tooth is back in place, the better the chance it survives long-term.

Tooth Enamel Erosion: What Causes It and How to Protect Your Teeth

Updated October 15, 2026

Enamel erosion is the slow loss of the hard outer layer of your teeth caused by acid. Unlike a cavity, which comes from bacteria, erosion often comes from acid itself: acidic drinks and foods, or stomach acid from reflux or vomiting. Enamel does not grow back, so protecting it matters.

Quick answers

What causes tooth enamel erosion?

Frequent contact with acid. Common sources are soda, sports and energy drinks, citrus-flavored drinks, frequent juice, sour candy, and stomach acid from reflux or frequent vomiting.

Can acid reflux damage your teeth?

Yes. Reflux can bring stomach acid into the mouth, where it can wear enamel over time. If you have reflux, tell both your dentist and your physician.

How do you protect enamel after something acidic?

Do not swish or hold it in your mouth. Rinse with water afterward, and wait about 60 minutes before brushing so you do not brush away softened enamel.

Common acid sources

Soda, including diet soda
Sports drinks and energy drinks
Citrus-flavored drinks and frequent fruit juice
Sour candy
Stomach acid from reflux or frequent vomiting

Habits that protect your enamel

Limit how often you have acidic drinks. Have them with a meal instead of sipping them through the day.
Do not swish or hold acidic drinks in your mouth. The less contact time, the better.
Rinse with water afterward. Water dilutes the acid.
Wait about 60 minutes to brush. Acid softens the surface of your teeth for a while. More on when to brush.
Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel.
Choose still water between meals. It is the best everyday drink for your teeth.

Reflux, vomiting, and your teeth

If you have reflux, heartburn, or frequent vomiting for any reason, including pregnancy, a medical condition, or an eating disorder, your teeth may be exposed to stomach acid often. Tell your dentist so your care plan can account for it, and talk with your physician about managing the cause.

For the full picture on food choices, see foods that are good for your teeth.

Talk it through at your next visit

At Advanced Dental Care in Provo, cleanings and exams include time with a hygienist who can look at your own risk and help you adjust your habits. Request an appointment or call (801) 758-2443.

Related guides

Sources and further reading

Adapted from the Advanced Dental Care Nutrition and Oral Health patient guide. Aligned with ADA guidance; not an ADA publication.

This guide is general education from Advanced Dental Care in Provo, Utah. It is not a substitute for advice from your own dentist or physician.

MORE PATIENT EDUCATION

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Your dentist and hygienist can tailor this advice to your teeth, your health, and your habits.

Request an Appointment New Patients: (801) 758-2443