By definition, emergencies are unexpected. If you find yourself in a dental crisis, you’ll want to already know how to get the help you need. In some cases, you should see a dentist, and in others, you should head to the emergency room. Here’s how to evaluate your situation and the severity of your symptoms so you can know where to go for care when you have a dental emergency.
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is a situation that requires immediate action to treat severe trauma, pain, and/or discomfort in the mouth. It may involve bleeding, lacerations, or damaged teeth. A few examples include:
- Broken or cracked teeth: Severe damage to the tooth can expose the pulp to infection. Immediate attention is needed to save it from extraction.
- Dislodged teeth: A knocked-out tooth may be able to be reimplanted in the mouth, but chances of that being performed successfully begin to drop after thirty minutes. You can buy products from the store that can keep a dislodged tooth in savable condition for up to 24 hours.
- Severe tooth or jaw pain: These can result from an infection, especially if accompanied by swelling, fever, a foul taste, or difficulty swallowing.
- Injuries to soft tissues: Severe lacerations to the gums, lips, or tongue can lead to infection.
Minor issues such as lost fillings, broken dental appliances, and chipped veneers do not count as emergencies.
What Should I Do If I Have a Dental Emergency?
It’s a good idea to have the number of the front desk of your dentist’s office in your address book. If you are planning to go on vacation, it’s a good idea to ask your local dentist for the name of a provider they recommend at your destination before you leave in case a dental emergency strikes.
When to head to the emergency dentist’s office
If you are experiencing a dental emergency during business hours, contact your dentist’s office immediately. Some dental offices have a special team dedicated to dental emergencies. Many offer same-day appointments for emergency situations so patients can get the immediate care they need. You can receive an emergency exam upon arrival and receive pain treatments as soon as possible. The team will then review their findings with you so a treatment plan can be developed. Once your pain has been managed and the immediate crisis resolved, your final treatment may be scheduled for a later date.
When to head to the emergency room
If you experience a dental emergency while your dentist’s office is closed, the emergency room may be the next best thing. The staff there will be able to provide you with pain medications, antibiotics, and treatments for bleeding to tide you over until the dentist’s office opens. If you have dislodged a tooth, they can treat it so it stays in savable condition for an extended period. However, if your dental emergency involves a broken jaw, lacerations to the face, extensive bleeding, or other major structural damage, you should head to the emergency room immediately.
By knowing what to do ahead of time, you stand to bring your dental emergency to its best possible conclusion. Keeping the relevant phone numbers on hand can save you much stress and frustration.
About the Practice
Smile Fitness Dental Centers believes that patients’ smiles are essential parts of their personalities. Led by Drs. Douglas M. Gordon, Bernard M. Florento, Joseph A. Santoro, and Dositej Stulic, the dedicated staff delivers a wide variety of dental services in a friendly and compassionate environment. The office in Phoenix, AZ offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry with extended hours. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (623) 849-0477 or contact the office online to schedule an appointment.