When do you Need to Visit an Emergency Dentist?

Emergency DentistLet's picture a simple scenario to determine when it's appropriate to visit an emergency dentist. You trip over a pair of slippers on your way to the kitchen, sending you crashing face first into one of the counters. The end result; a severely broken tooth and you possibly yelling at whoever left their slippers in your path.

Should you visit an emergency dental clinic in this scenario?

Absolutely! That's exactly what emergency dentists are there for. To handle serious dental injuries that have to be addressed immediately. Other reasons to seek the services of an emergency dentist include: severe tooth pain, serious infections, and facial injuries that result in lost or damaged teeth and fractured facial bones.

Obviously, not all dental issues are emergencies, so it comes down to asking yourself if your dental issue really needs to be addressed immediately. Examples of dental injuries that don't require the immediate attention of a dentist include moderately chipped and realigned teeth.

If you aren't sure what category your dental injury falls under, all you have to do is call your dentist's office for guidance on what to do.

What to do during a dental emergency

If your dental emergency happens during normal business hours, the first thing you should do is contact your dentist to inform him/her of your situation. If your emergency happens during off hours, your first stop should be your dentist's office's on-call dentist. If that's not an option, head to the nearest emergency room.

What to expect from your emergency dentist

Expect the dentist that sees you during an emergency to focus primarily on the emergency that brought you to the clinic in the first place, rather than whatever other dental issues you're dealing with, unless those issues are somehow connected to your current emergency.

The job of an emergency dentist is to address any immediate health issues you're facing due to your injury. Expect follow up appointments with your dentist or some other specialist.

For example, if a person walks into an emergency room with pain and severe bleeding from a lost tooth, the on-call dentist will only address the pain and bleeding. The dentist will also do whatever is possible to prevent an infection in this scenario, but that's about it. It's still up to the patient to follow up with an oral surgeon to discuss implant options.

Dental emergencies can happen to you or your loved ones at the most unexpected times. It's up to you to make sure you're ready to handle any emergencies that come up. It's always a good idea to keep your dentist's emergency number on you at all times, and if you ever find yourself in a situation where you aren't sure if what you're dealing with counts as a dental emergency, don't hesitate to call your dentist's office to figure out if the dental injury you're dealing with requires an immediate visit or if it can wait a few days

Related Posts

Understanding The Role Of An Emergency Dentist

You might need an emergency dentist if you are dealing with an unexpected dental issue or injury that requires immediate treatment like a knocked-out tooth, unbearable toothache, or infected tooth. Waiting a couple of weeks for a dental appointment does not cut it in these situations.An emergency dentist can help you navigate around unforeseen dental…

When To See An Emergency Dentist For Gum Problems

When accidents happen that affect the mouth and teeth, most people visit an emergency dentist to have a broken or missing tooth repaired; however, these dentists are also capable of handling problems that stem from periodontal issues. While gum disease usually progresses slowly, it can cause emergency situations, and knowing when to visit a clinic…

Why You Should Go To An Emergency Dentistry Office To Treat A Tooth Injury

After experiencing a tooth injury, you have a better chance of saving your tooth if you go to an emergency dentistry office as soon as possible. Even if the tooth is knocked out, attempt to locate and bring along any tooth fragments. You are probably in a lot of pain if you have had a…

Can Emergency Dentistry Preserve A Displaced Tooth?

A good emergency dentistry professional can provide immediate treatment for your displaced tooth. This type of dental emergency is often caused by trauma, and it is common among adolescents and children. If you want to know how an emergency dentistry professional can save your displaced tooth, here are the details.Tooth displacement is also called dental…