For dental emergencies, people can go to an emergency dentist or an emergency room. However, several things should be considered before deciding where to seek medical help. Just like any other medical emergency, dental emergencies also require different levels of care. This depends on their severity. The ideal place to go for treatment when you have a dental emergency should be based on the type of emergency you have.
Many different types of dental injuries are considered dental emergencies. Tooth injuries such as a cracked or knocked-out tooth are common dental emergencies. Injuries to the inside of the mouth like tears, puncture wounds and lacerations to the tongue, cheeks or lips or a tooth that is forced out of position and loosened are also other problems that need urgent care. Here are some factors that may help a person determine whether to visit a hospital or an emergency dentist for a dental emergency.
People should go to the hospital for dental emergencies or traumas that involve the mouth and face and that need medical attention. These include dental problems like jaw dislocations, jaw fractures, serious lacerations or cuts to the mouth and face or an infection or abscess that is very swollen or affecting breathing or swallowing. It is immensely important for people to visit an emergency room for serious problems and life-threatening conditions. A person should also go to the nearest emergency room if getting in touch with an emergency dentist is not possible.
There are several dental emergencies that are not life-threatening but may still require immediate care. A person should visit the dentist if they break or crack a tooth or if a tooth gets knocked out, unless it is causing a lot of bleeding or the problem happened due to a violent injury. A dentist can handle these problems and ensure that a patient receives the appropriate treatment. A person who needs emergency dental care should first call the office of the regular dentist. Dentists often leave slots in their schedules open for emergency patients, so a patient may be able to get an appointment quickly.
For a dental emergency, it is always recommended to visit an emergency dentist or an emergency room. This decision should be based on the type of emergency. Dental emergencies do not always occur when the office of your dentist is open. If the dental emergency happens during non-business hours, on a holiday or a weekend and it is not considered life-threatening, you should try calling your dentist before opting for alternative care options.
Many dentists often provide patients with after-hours emergency care. Some of them also provide an on-call substitute recommendation. If a dentist is not able to see you after-hours but you need treatment from a health care practitioner, you should go to the nearest emergency room. The staff there will let you know if the injury can wait for your regular dentist. Depending on your situation, they can also provide pain medication to relieve symptoms in the meantime.
Request an appointment here: https://www.scmountaindental.com or call Brent C. Lay, DDS at (408) 500-0813 for an appointment in our Los Gatos office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dentist in Los Gatos, CA.
Learning about what to do during a dental emergency is a good idea. Read on to learn when you should seek urgent treatment during a dental emergency. A dental emergency, such as a tooth injury, hardly occurs with a warning. It could be a bad fall or a blow to the mouth during contact sports…
Nobody wants to have to deal with tooth pain, but it is also one of those things most people have to endure from time to time. Toothaches are generally caused by trauma, tooth decay, or some other oral health issue.The best way to guarantee that a toothache goes away, and stays away, is by visiting…
Knowing when to seek emergency dental care can be tricky. While many dental issues are extremely time sensitive, others can be left for months with little risk.Some tooth problems, like cavities, are slow to change. If there is no pain and the dental issue is not the result of trauma, usually treatment can wait until…
Dental health professionals are responsible for providing a safe environment for emergency dentistry procedures during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak. Considering the risks of cross-infection in dental offices, the American Dental Association and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have developed guidelines to control infections during any emergency dentistry care. This includes a thorough cleaning…
Dental bridges offer a reliable and effective solution for replacing missing teeth. A missing tooth, whether caused by injury, decay, or other dental issues, can impact the health and appearance of your smile. Fortunately, dental bridges can help restore your oral health. Here are five benefits of choosing dental bridges as your tooth replacement option.Dental…
Tooth implants are replacements that look, feel and function like natural teeth. They can be used when someone loses their teeth to injury or decay. The tooth implant procedure is simple, but patients often have plenty of questions about it. Continue reading to discover answers to some frequently asked questions about tooth implants.Accidents, unsuccessful root…