
- by Dr. Ravneet Dhillon
- November 29, 2022
What is a Dental Emergency?
When dental emergencies occur, every minute counts. The earlier you are able to get an emergency dentist appointment, the better your chances are of a smooth and complete recovery. Although going to the ER will be the best thing in cases where there is a life emergency.
However, it is also true that most ER rooms will not have an emergency dentist available at all times. So, in case of a dental emergency, your best bet would be to know where to get help.
Only a skilled emergency dentist can save a tooth or do a root canal or repair damaged orthodontics. Most of the time, dental emergencies are extremely painful and there is no time to wait till your regular dentist gives you an appointment. Most dentists recommend getting to an emergency dentist within 30 minutes of the occurrence of the emergency.
How to find the perfect 24-hour emergency dentist?
The most common way to find an emergency dentist near you is with a simple google search. It is recommended to do this before you face an emergency. You should always have two or three places in mind where you can go while facing a dental emergency. You can also ask your friends or relatives about emergency dental clinics that they know and trust. Once you have a few names, you can visit the clinics or read the reviews given by patients. You can even call the clinic and ask them about their emergency services and timings.
Click to know What is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Tips to find the best emergency dentist
- Search Online
The quickest way to find something today is to do a quick google search. However, make sure that you can spot the most authentic service providers. Go through their website and find out everything of relevance. If you are still confused, read the Google reviews left by previous patients. This is the best way to know the quality of the services of the emergency dentist you are learning about.
- Consider The Distance
It is most practical to find an emergency dentist near your home so that you can reach it on time. It is recommended to find a clinic within 20-30 minutes of driving distance. In some cases, the tooth needs to be saved or the bleeding has to be stopped. The best time window for this is 20-30 minutes. A greater driving distance at the time of an emergency also leads to distress and poor decision-making.
- Ask Around
Asking your friends and family is the best way to find an emergency dentist near you. Direct references from people you trust are more reliable. People recommend services based on their real experiences and you can ask them where they had the best experience. Getting a referral from someone who has been in a dental emergency is more reliable.
- Call as soon as possible
This can help a person facing a dental emergency do the needful to stabilize the situation, if possible, before reaching the dental emergency clinic. Also, if the clinic is aware of your situation, they will be ready to deal with the emergency as soon as you reach it. The waiting time also gets reduced which leads to prompt care.
- Ask What You Can Do
While you are on call with your dental emergency clinic, make sure to ask what precautions or early actions you can take to prevent further deterioration of the situation. The emergency dentist can guide you to prevent bleeding or to hold the broken jaw in place or preserve the tooth in milk or other suitable advice depending upon your particular emergency.
- Make A Detailed Enquiry
There are several things that you should ask while choosing the right dental emergency clinic. Make sure that the dental clinic accepts your current dental insurance plan. Not everyone can afford emergency dental care without insurance. With a solid dental insurance plan, you won’t have to think twice before going to the emergency clinic. Enquire about their hours of operation and how promptly they deal with dental emergencies in general.
- Ask What Ages They Treat
It is necessary to inquire about the ages that are treated at the clinic at times of a dental emergency. This is very important for those with kids and old people at home. Dental emergencies are common for both kids and older people. A clinic that treats all ages is highly preferred.
- Find A Clinic With All Round Services
Dental emergencies can have multiple aspects to them. Going to a clinic with a specialist who is trained not only to deal with emergencies but who can also handle other aspects like dental restoration, repair of dental appliances, root canals, etc. will be truly beneficial for the patient. Therefore, look for a specialist skilled to deal with all kinds of dental emergencies and dental work.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies can occur at any time but with the right clinic, you will have a place to go without getting distressed further. Help will always be available at the right dental emergency clinic which offers 24-hour dental emergency services whenever you need them.
However, you should note that if you have multiple injuries apart from oral injuries, like an injury to the head, nose, or eyes, or a broken limb, you are suggested to go to the ER.
Still Haven’t Found Your Emergency Dentist?
If you are still looking for the best emergency dentist near you, you should call our clinic- Morgan Hill Dentistry.
It is here that you get the best care from a skilled dental expert who can handle all types of dental emergencies while also providing restoration and other services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How soon can I receive emergency dental care?
Most specialized clinics are equipped to deal with all kinds of dental emergencies. They also have dedicated extra hours to deal with such emergencies. Most of these cases are seen within 24 hours. However, the waiting time can also depend on the nature and severity of the emergency. Some people might get immediate attention.
2. Should I go to the ER for a toothache?
If you are experiencing a severe toothache, you can visit the ER. There you will be given painkillers and antibiotics. But that’s that. They won’t be able to treat the root cause and provide targeted dental care. Eventually, you will have to visit your dentist so it is better to go to an emergency dental clinic near you.