DentistryWhen to Call for Emergency Dentistry

A routine dental check-up can be easy to get by. All you have to do is make a call to your dentist’s clinic and book an appointment, depending on your schedule and the clinic’s office hours. But what if there are situations where you will need a quick and professional dental diagnosis and treatment such as:

• Knocking out a tooth in an accident or trauma
• Cracking a molar on some hard food
• Experiencing a sudden, unexplained toothache

These situations are classified as dental emergencies and it can be very hard to deal with t such emergencies, and you are not familiar with what to do in situations like this.

This guide will help you understand what constitutes a dental emergency and what you need to do in case you find yourself or your loved ones experiencing dental trauma.

Dental emergency defined

A dental emergency is an oral health condition needing timely attention and care from your dentist. There are some cases where you can instantly assess that you indeed need immediate care such as having a knocked out or severely cracked tooth. However, there are cases where you experience pain or bleeding on your teeth or mouth, but you cannot seem to pinpoint the exact cause.

To help you save the time, money, and spare you from damaging complications, do not ignore dental emergencies. Get professional help and treatment from an emergency dentist in Singapore as soon as possible.

Know what qualifies as a medical emergency

Generally, if you do need immediate dental care, there is really no need to call an emergency dentist. According to the dental directory and portal Dentaleh, the following conditions and dental treatments can be classified as non-emergencies:

• Broken crowns
• Lost fillings
• Mild toothaches
• Lost or broken dental appliance (e.g. mouthguard or retainer)

While these situations can be frustrating and may cause discomfort, they can be treated at your dentist’s clinic without needing an emergency appointment.  Here is a list of dental emergencies that you should take note of:

• Involving severe pain
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• A tooth that is at risk has been knocked out
• Severely loosened, broken, or cracked tooth

With these emergencies, seeking professional care without delay is of utmost importance. By seeking immediate care, you can improve the chances of a good outcome for your teeth. Any delays can result in infection, the loss of your tooth, or the need to get dental implants clearwater to reconstruct the tooth entirely. In addition, it is advisable if you have a tooth that is badly infected or physically impacted to have it inspected promptly, otherwise it might lead to a root canal emergency procedure being necessary.

What to do when you need emergency dental care?

* Call your dentist first

When possible, calling your dentist is your best option. During dental emergencies, your dentist will be the one to be able to give you the appropriate care that you need. Your dentist can also advise on what to do and the necessary steps to take to relieve the symptoms.

* Check the office’s website or any paperwork for emergency numbers

Some emergencies happen outside of regular business hours and dentists are not usually be able 24 hours a day. It can be difficult to reach your dentist in the middle of the night or during holidays. In situations like this, check for the dentist’s website and look for any contact details posted. Paperwork from previous visits can also bear emergency numbers. You can also contact an answering service that can have your dentist call you back.

* Seek care from your local emergency room

If there is no way to contact your dentist, you may need to go to your local emergency room while you wait for a call back from your dentist. Make sure that you inform your dentist about the situation as soon as possible. This way, your dentist can provide follow-up care.

* If you are out of town, ask a referral to a local dentist

Dental emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. If you are out of town and need emergency dental care, ask your dentist if he/she can provide you with a referral to a local dentist. If you have a child with a dental emergency, seek out a children’s emergency dentist.

Dental discount programs and dental plans also have customer service hotlines you can call to ask for recommendations for an in-network dentist in your current location. If none of these options work, go to the emergency room.

* Keep calm and wait for your dentist’s callback

Having to wait for a call from your dentist can be daunting, especially if you are under severe pain or discomfort. While waiting for emergency care or callback from your dentist, remember to keep calm and do not panic. If you do contact your dentist, ask what you need to do to care for yourself. He/she may advise over-the-counter pain reliever or prescribe a painkiller to manage your discomfort until you can receive proper treatment.

What your dentist should do for your emergency dentistry needs