Mouth pain can be excruciating. Whether you have a toothache, an oral injury, or another dental problem, you should seek professional care right away. But where should you go for treatment? Should you call your emergency dentist or visit the local ER? In most cases, you should see your dentist, but there are some situations in which a visit to the emergency room is the better option. This blog post aims to help you decide where to go.
When to Visit the Emergency Room
A visit to the emergency room would be appropriate if:
- You have a severe toothache accompanied by a fever.
- You are having difficulty breathing.
- You are bleeding uncontrollably.
- You believe you have a broken or dislocated jaw.
- You were in an accident and have other urgent injuries besides those that are affecting your mouth.
- You have other symptoms that may become life-threatening.
Once the professionals in the emergency room stabilize you and provide first-line treatment, you can visit your dentist later for follow-up care.
When to See Your Dentist
You should visit your emergency dentist for virtually any oral health problem that is not accompanied by life-threatening symptoms. Here are some examples:
- You have a toothache.
- One of your teeth got knocked out or knocked loose.
- You lost a filling or crown.
- One of your teeth is broken, cracked, or chipped.
- Your teeth are extremely sensitive to hot and cold.
Because dentists are true experts in all things related to the teeth, they are the most qualified to evaluate your problem and provide effective treatment. In contrast, if you visited the emergency room for such issues, they might simply send you away or give you pain medication and tell you to visit your dentist ASAP.
How to Receive Prompt Oral Care
If you have an oral health problem that requires urgent care from a dentist, take these steps:
- Find an emergency dentist. You can usually do this through a Google search. Call the office and request an appointment. Many dentists are able to accept same-day cases.
- Bring what you need. If you lost a tooth, filling, or crown, bring it with you to your appointment. Also, be sure to have your insurance information if you have a dental policy. If you have a written copy of your medical history or prescriptions, that might be helpful as well.
- Communicate well. Tell your dentist about your symptoms, and do not hesitate to ask questions about any recommended treatment.
A dental emergency can be scary! The good news is that many dentists can make themselves available to treat urgent cases.
Meet the Practice
At Gillis Dental, we have great compassion for individuals suffering from oral pain. We make every effort to accommodate emergency cases ASAP, often on a same-day basis. We also try to make sure that treatment is as comfortable as possible. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact our Needham office at 781-202-6357.