An infected abscess, a chipped tooth, or a laceration to the mouth can all be extremely painful. In fact, they’re even considered dental emergencies. But when they happen, where should you turn? Often, patients in pain head to their local emergency room, but do ER’s handle dental emergencies? Here’s why when it comes to urgent oral health problems, it’s better to head to an emergency dentist.
Why Can’t the Emergency Room Help Me?
Many patients in the midst of a dental emergency have found out the hard way that their local hospital emergency room or urgent care center can’t do much to help. That’s because in most cases, they do not have a dentist or oral surgeon on staff. Thus, they may be unable to properly diagnose the problem, let alone treat it. While some ERs are equipped to pull teeth, this may not even be necessary, and once the tooth has been extracted, it’s too late to put it back. Thus, having an accurate diagnosis matters.
Why Should I Go to an Emergency Dentist?
Emergency dentists not only have the right equipment to properly diagnose your dental problems, but they also have the expertise to correct them. Better still, because your dentist’s goal is always to preserve your natural teeth, they are more likely to find a solution that will protect your smile as opposed to extracting the offending tooth. While removing a tooth may seem like a good idea due to cost, keep in mind that you will still need to replace it, which is an additional cost or series of costs.
When Should I Go to the ER?
While an emergency dentist is very well equipped to handle many dental emergencies, there are still a few occasions where you should go directly to the emergency room first, including:
- If your mouth has been bleeding for more than 10 minutes and it will not stop.
- If you believe you have broken or dislocated your jaw.
- If you have sustained any other injuries that are life-threatening or in other areas of the body.
Remember, while dental pain is very often an emergency, knowing where to go can save you time, money, and your smile. So, should the unthinkable happen and you find yourself faced with an urgent oral health problem, call your emergency dentist as soon as possible and they’ll help get you the care you need without delay!
About Dr. Hooks
Dr. Gwen Hooks earned her undergraduate degree at Liberty University, and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Virginia Commonwealth University Dental School. She is a proud, active member of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association. If you are suffering from an urgent dental emergency, please call Hooks Family Dentistry as soon as possible at 434-324-8241.