When a dental emergency strikes, it can be difficult to focus on anything other than the pain. Naturally, priority number one is treating the root of the problem, but where should you turn for help? To make the process of getting the care you need as seamless and stress-free as possible, read on to learn how to find an emergency dentist when you need one right away.
First, Assess the Damage
From knocked-out teeth to large soft tissue cuts, many patients are unsure if they should head to the ER or call an emergency dentist. The answer depends! If you’re having trouble breathing, have fractured your jaw, or can’t control the bleeding, then you should call 911 or head to your local ER for medical attention. If you aren’t struggling with any potentially life-threatening symptoms, then you should call an emergency dentist. Remember: while hospitals can help alleviate your discomfort, they usually don’t have dentists on staff. So, they can only make you a bit more comfortable before referring you back to your dentist.
So, How Can You Find an Emergency Dentist?
If you don’t have a dentist, then you can type “emergency dentist near me” into a search engine like Google to find a list of nearby providers. However, if you do have a dentist, then the best thing to do is call them. Even if it’s after hours, there is a good chance they will have instructions on what to do and who to call in an emergency situation on their voicemail.
Until you get an appointment on the calendar, there are a few things you can do from home to help minimize any discomfort you’re feeling. Some examples include taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, using a cold compress to minimize swelling, and rinsing with clean, lukewarm water to help keep the area clean.
Why You Shouldn’t Postpone Dental Care
Whether you’re dealing with a persistent toothache or a cracked tooth, it’s important to get an appointment with your dentist on the calendar as soon as possible. There are a few reasons for this, but the main one is that neglecting your symptoms will only allow the root of the problem to worsen and increase your risk of infection. So, even if you’re dealing with a dental injury that isn’t causing you any discomfort – like a chipped tooth or lost filling – don’t wait longer than a day or two to call.
About the Practice
Westgate Dental Care is home to a team of experienced dentists that can help patients in Arlington Heights with everything from routine checkups to sudden emergency care. In fact, we offer same-day appointments to patients struggling with dental injuries and offer early morning, evening, and weekend hours throughout the week! So, if you need treatment from a skilled emergency dentist, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team via our website or by phone at (847) 577-7171.