Dental emergencies can affect anyone, with all affected individuals having a single aim to contact an emergency dentist to get treatment for their issues. Suppose you are unsure of the problem affecting you and wonder whether the issue is an emergency or can wait until you see your regular dentist. In that case, it will help if you called 911 and inquired with the call taker whether you need emergency assistance from a dental clinic.
Emergency dentists treat all patients approaching them. Some will see the patient within 24 hours to ensure the patient’s ongoing oral health and protect their teeth and jaws. Some dentists may not accommodate a patient within 24 hours for lack of time. However, most will offer instructions on managing the emergency by discussing the patient’s situation and providing instructions on how to maintain their oral health until they can visit an emergency dentist.
Emergency dentistry is not a specialized field in the dental profession. It is a specialty that dentists offer for the general public whenever they encounter issues like cracked or broken teeth, severe tooth pain, and other issues. Let us look at how people can manage dental emergencies.
How you manage your specific situation will depend on the kind of problem you are confronting.
Every dental emergency requires prompt attention from a dental professional and none other. For example, a severe toothache is often a result of dental problems like cavities, gum disease, root complications, or cracked teeth. The toothache could also be a result of TMJ issues or from chewing hot or cold food. In such instances, dentists must perform a thorough exam by utilizing dental x-rays to determine the underlying cause of the toothache. It helps them to decide whether the discomfort is originating from within the tooth or elsewhere.
A dental emergency resulting in a painless cracked tooth also requires prompt attention from a dentist but can wait for a couple of days to see your regular dentist instead of an emergency dentist. Your regular dentist must fill the crack to ensure it does not become a breeding ground for bacteria that can invade your tooth and create various complications.
You must seek attention for any dental emergency either from your regular dentist or an emergency dentist. However, it will help if you understand the emergency services are not exactly affordable, and prompt assistance will undoubtedly cost you more. Emergency dental clinics are open for everyone, even beyond office hours. If dental professionals cannot see you, they will provide adequate instructions on how to manage the emergency and accommodate you for an appointment as soon as possible.