In 2012, over two million emergency room visits were for dental emergencies. While the ER is a great place to go for a laceration or a broken bone, these facilities are not equipped to deal with most emergency dental situations and are not able to properly address these issues. Here’s why you should see your emergency dentist to have your dental crisis treated instead of going to the emergency room.
What Qualifies as a Dental Emergency?
A range of issues count as dental emergencies that require immediate dental care. A few of these include:
- Dislodged teeth: A tooth that has been completely knocked out of its socket must be treated quickly if it is to be reimplanted in the gum. Take care to handle it by the crown and never touch the root. Transport it to your dentist’s office by placing it back in its socket, in your lip, or in a container with some saliva or milk. A dislodged tooth’s chances of being reimplanted start to fall after about an hour.
- Cracked teeth: If a crack forms in a tooth, leaving it untreated can allow it to worsen until the pulp is exposed or the damage extends to the root. If either of these happens, it may be necessary to perform a root canal or extract and replace the tooth.
- Severe infections: Dental abscesses can cause severe pain or sensitivity, and these infections can spread to other parts of the body to cause dangerous secondary infections like sepsis if left untreated. An emergency dentist can treat these issues by draining the abscess and performing a root canal.
- Throbbing toothaches: A severe, throbbing toothache is usually caused by untreated tooth decay. Your dentist will be able to prescribe pain medication and antibiotics and perform a root canal to prevent the need for a tooth extraction.
In these cases, an emergency dentist is the one most qualified to give you the care you need. If you find yourself in any of these situations, immediately call your emergency dentist’s office to explain the situation and let them know you are coming. In cases of a dislodged tooth, be sure to locate and secure it before you leave.
When Should I Head to the Emergency Room?
If you have suffered a blow to the mouth that results in severe lacerations or a broken jaw, an emergency room is the best place to get care. If you have a severe toothache or dental abscess and find that there is not an emergency dentist’s office open in your area, the emergency room can prescribe you pain medication and antibiotics to keep the situation under control until your dentist’s office opens again. If you can’t get to an emergency dentist when you dislodge a tooth, an emergency room can treat it so it stays in savable condition for up to twenty-four hours.
Keeping your head about you and knowing what to do ahead of time can allow you to reach the best possible outcome when you have a dental emergency. It’s a great idea to research emergency dentists in your area so you know where to go if anything happens.
About the Author
Dr. Reem Saywa earned her dental degree from the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School and stays abreast of the latest developments in her field by regularly completing postgraduate coursework. Her office in Farmington Hills, MI, is dedicated to providing the finest dental care her patients can find. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you have found yourself in a dental emergency, contact her office online or dial (248) 855-4850.