Sometimes, life can throw us a curveball—and it’s very possible for it to come in the form of a dental emergency! But if you’re ever dealing with an urgent situation involving your pearly whites, you should know that acting fast is always going to be in your best interest. Continue reading below for a few must-know tips that’ll help you find an emergency dentist quickly when your smile’s in trouble!
What Is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is an umbrella term that describes painful or abnormal symptoms affecting a patient’s teeth, gums, or other oral structures. That said, some of the most common examples of this include issues like chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, damaged or lost dental restorations, knocked-out teeth, severe toothaches, etc. Pretty much anything that causes great discomfort and endangers your smile’s general wellness is considered a dental emergency, and these situations shouldn’t be ignored, as no amount of wishful thinking will resolve them.
What Should I Do During a Dental Emergency?
If you’ve sustained a dental injury that requires urgent care, and you’re unsure about who to call or what to do, consider the following:
- Give your primary dentist a call and let them know what happened; if they offer emergency care, they’ll let you know when you can come in—even if it’s after regular business hours. Emergency dentists have time built into their schedules to accommodate these situations. They might also be able to provide you with tips over the phone on how to temporarily manage your discomfort.
- If you aren’t able to get in touch with your dentist, you’re out of town, or your provider doesn’t offer emergency care, you can check online for an office near you. Most dentists have their services listed on their website, as well as their hours and locations.
- For serious emergencies or life-threatening symptoms, you might need to visit an emergency room. Keep in mind that most ERs lack the staff or equipment to correctly handle dental emergencies and can usually at best only provide you with pain relief.
As you’re waiting to attend your emergency visit, take care not to do anything else that might cause further harm to your smile. If you’ve lost a tooth or restoration, do your best to retrieve it and bring it with you to your appointment. Though it might seem like the world has come to a screeching halt, do not worry—with a little quick thinking and a trip to see your emergency dentist, all will be well!
About the Practice
Here at Flagship Dental Group, we’re truly proud to serve the dental needs of patients and families in the Longmeadow, MA area. Under the talented leadership of Dr. Michael Kelliher and Dr. Lainie Foerster, we’re thrilled to offer a wide range of dental services including after-hours emergency dental care. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re in need of urgent dental care, please contact us online or by phone for more information or assistance. Telephone: (413) 300-6002.