When To Visit an Emergency Dentist

When do you need to visit an emergency dentist? If you are experiencing a dental emergency, you may be feeling overwhelmed about what to do next. As with any emergency, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and assess the situation. Knowing how to proceed depends on the extent of the injury. 

When To See An Emergency Dentist

If an injury causes acute or potentially permanent damage to your teeth or mouth, you may need to see your dentist immediately. For instance, if you knock a tooth out, a dentist may be able to put the tooth back in place and save it. Other examples may be cracked or damaged teeth, especially if the injury is causing excessive pain. These may occur as result of a sports injury or other trauma. You may also want to see a dentist if you’ve bit or cut your tongue, cheeks, or lips and are unable to stop the bleeding. 

When To Go To An Emergency Room 

Sometimes visiting the dentist is not the best option. If you are concerned that you have any broken bones in the jaw or around the face, or have injuries that extend beyond the mouth or dental areas, you should go to an emergency room or other urgent care facility that can address a range of medical issues. 

Also, most dental offices have limited hours of operation, and are not open all night. If your dentist is not available when you experience a dental emergency, you need to go to an emergency room immediately.  

What To Do In An Emergency

The first thing to do is call your dentist and let them know about the situation. GIve them as much detail about what happened and the state of injury as you can. They can let you know if the dentist is available to help. The dentist’s office can also provide specific advice about what you should do in the meantime. 

Ask specifically what you should do with a knocked or loose tooth. In many cases, you should try to place a knocked out tooth into the cavity from where it fell out. Try not to touch the root or fibrous areas, but hold it by the end. If you cannot put it back in your mouth, you can also hold it in your mouth or in a cup of milk. 

Your emergency dentist is ready to help you address those injuries and other concerns as quickly and safely as possible. But the most important thing is to act quickly, to reduce the chance of long-term damage. If you have experienced a dental emergency, give us a call immediately.