When you have a medical emergency, heading to your nearest hospital as soon as possible could save your life. But when it comes to a dental emergency, it can be difficult to determine where to go. Here’s why you should trust your emergency dentist to help you in an urgent oral health situation instead of your local ER.
Specialized Care
While most hospitals can assist you with a variety of medical problems, they are not typically equipped to handle dental emergencies. In fact, most emergency rooms do not have a dentist on staff. While some places could possibly extract a damaged tooth, it would be done by a doctor, not a dentist, and that person may not be able to tell if the tooth could be otherwise saved. Generally speaking, most ERs can only help patients with dental pain by prescribing pain medications and then referring them to their nearest emergency dentist.
Faster Solutions
Say you show up at the ER with tooth pain, only to be told you probably have a tooth infection. You will then need to go to your dentist and have your tooth examined again so you can get a root canal. The good news is that your dentist can likely perform the procedure in-office, maybe even the same day. But you’ve just wasted valuable time being told the ER can’t help you, keeping you in pain longer than if you’d just gone straight to the dentist.
Thus, when you visit the emergency dentist first, you’re not only saving time driving around from place to place, but you can likely get the proper solution to your problem on the spot, so you’re able to feel better faster, too.
Personalized Service
When you head directly to your dentist for a dental emergency, you have the benefit of a personal history with them. They know you, they may know your family, and they are familiar with your medical and dental history. Furthermore, they can continue treating you after your emergency, so they can keep a close eye on the illness or injury and make sure the treatment is still working.
What is a Dental Emergency?
Now that you know where to go for an urgent dental emergency, here’s how to tell if you’re experiencing one. If you notice any of the following, please contact your dentist as soon as possible:
- Persistent bleeding
- Loose or missing adult teeth
- Injured or fractured jaw or facial bones
- Painful swelling or aching tooth
- A dental abscess
Some dental emergencies are still problematic, but they are not considered urgent. You should still schedule an appointment with your dentist ASAP; however, these can probably wait a few days at the discretion of your dentist:
- A lost bridge, crown, or dental implant
- A damaged or broken tooth that is not in severe pain
- A broken retainer, night guard, or dentures
- A mild toothache
If you are experiencing any of these issues, please contact your emergency dentist for further instructions. They may have you come in immediately, or they might schedule you for an appointment within a few days, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
About Our Practice
At Khoi Dental Group, Dr. Le and Dr. Murray are proud to offer a variety of oral health solutions under one roof. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency of any kind, don’t hesitate to give us a call for guidance and an urgent appointment. We strive to treat each patient like a priority, and helping you feel well is our number one goal.
For help with a dental emergency, please visit our website or call us today at 904-262-8409.