A dental emergency is never a fun situation to be in. Having to pause a family dinner, a night out with friends, or a trip to the movies to have an oral health issue remedied can really put a damper on things. If something like this happens to you, do you know who to go to? Read on to learn if a dental emergency warrants a visit to the dentist or to the emergency room.
Why You Should Visit the Dentist Instead of the ER
The health professionals who work in emergency rooms have years of schooling, training, and firsthand experience administering urgent care to patients. Even so, emergency rooms don’t usually have a dentist as part of their staff. If you’re bleeding or in pain, they will be able to make you feel more comfortable, but making a trip to your dentist’s office is the better option.
Emergency rooms also tend to have much longer wait times than dental offices. This may allow your dental emergency to worsen while you wait. Visiting the emergency room is also generally much more expensive. Dentists offer prompt appointments and can usually fit you in on the same day as the dental emergency.
When to Visit the Emergency Room Instead
Even though visiting your dentist is usually the best thing you can do in the event of a dental emergency, there are still some times when a visit to the ER is warranted, including when:
- You’re having trouble breathing, swallowing, or other potentially life-threatening issues
- You have an incredibly high fever due to a tooth infection
- You have suffered a serious facial injury
- You have uncontrolled bleeding
- You have a broken jaw
How Can I Know Who to Visit?
So, how can you know if the emergency room of your dentist’s office is the best place to go? If you are experiencing a dental emergency and go to an ER, the staff will do whatever they can to prevent things from becoming life-threatening. You’ll still need to visit your dentist, though. They’ll be able to correct bite problems or replace damaged restorations and teeth. You’ll also likely need to visit your dentist for follow-up care in the future.
Though it’s best to do what you can to avoid dental emergencies, that doesn’t mean you’ll never experience one. With the above information, you’ll be able to get any future dental emergencies under control and visit the right person to fix your grin!
About the Practice
Jacksonville Complete Dentistry administers the care their patients need from the comfort of their safe, comfortable dental office. If you encounter a dental emergency, they offer a range of services to get the situation under control and repair your smile in no time. If you want more information on their emergency dental services or are interested in scheduling an appointment, visit Lancaster Family Smiles’ website or call their office at (904) 645-6457 to get started.