Many people are surprised to find out that they can be treated for a dental emergency in their own dentist’s office. This type of treatment focuses on treating conditions that require immediate attention in order to relieve high levels of pain, limit infection risk and alleviate the burden on hospital emergency rooms.
Dental emergencies are often the result of sudden accidents that can be difficult to anticipate and avoid. For instance, you may knock out a tooth during a baseball game or crack your tooth while biting down on a pen. In some cases, these situations might lead you to seek dental urgent care, but most of them can be handled by regular appointments with your dentist and proper oral hygiene.
Considering that dental issues tend to occur without notice, many people don’t know when to contact an emergency dentist or what kind of treatment to expect. In addition, some people might delay getting dental emergency services due to financial concerns. However, if you are concerned about the cost of dental emergency treatments, you should know that most insurance policies cover most or all of these procedures.
While the majority of emergency dentists are private dental practices, some are part of larger medical facilities that also specialize in other types of healthcare. These facilities offer specialized treatment to patients with dental problems such as jaw pain, sore gums or jaws and even broken teeth. Unlike regular dental offices, these facilities are typically open late and on weekends to serve people in need of dental treatment at any time.
Dental emergencies can be painful and stressful, but you should always remember to call for help right away. While mild pain might not be an emergency, severe pain or bleeding is a sign of a dental problem and needs to be treated as soon as possible.
The first step in handling any dental emergency is to apply pressure to the affected area. This will stop the bleeding and decrease pain. If you are unable to do this, you can use a cloth or tissue wrapped with ice to control the swelling. It is also important to keep any pieces of your tooth in case you need them to complete your treatment.
A dental emergency can range from a simple toothache to severe tooth decay, which can be life-threatening. Some of these issues can be resolved at home with the aid of over-the-counter or prescription pain relief medication, but if the issue is serious and you are experiencing symptoms like severe swelling and bleeding, it is best to visit an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
It is a good idea to make a list of emergency dental contacts and their telephone numbers before you need them. This will ensure that you have an dental office near me to take care of any issues that arise quickly. You can also try to prevent dental emergencies by practicing good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice a day and flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist every six months.