It’s natural to assume that if you are experiencing an emergency, the best place to receive immediate help is the ER. Or is it? While there are times it’s essential to seek medical assistance for certain dental injuries (i.e., fractured or broken jaw, increased swelling, etc.), most issues related to your oral health can be addressed by your dentist. Read on to learn why you don’t need to spend hours waiting in the ER to get timely care.
Why It’s Better to Visit Your Dentist Instead of the ER
It might seem as if a trip to the ER is warranted if you suffer a dental emergency; however, there are several reasons why you’re better off calling your local dentist for help. They include:
- Time: Visiting the ER will require you to spend hours in the lobby waiting to see a doctor. If you want to make the most of your time, call your dentist for help. They can get you in much faster and will begin to administer the care you need to alleviate any pain and restore your smile.
- Expertise: Dentists are trained and licensed professionals who can treat all types of dental injuries. From addressing the pain to repairing the damaged part of your smile, they are equipped to handle these issues.
- Treatment: General physicians at your local ER can only treat the symptoms and provide pain medication. Removing a tooth or attempting to fix any other type of injury is actually illegal if performed by anyone other than a practicing dentist. Waiting to see an oral healthcare professional will ensure you get the treatment you need from start to finish.
- Cost: You will find that a trip to the ER will be costlier than one to your emergency dentist. This is because you can use your dental insurance to help pay for the visit and any treatment expenses you might incur.
What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?
Many patients have difficulty determining what constitutes a dental emergency and when it’s recommended that they visit the ER first. Here is a brief breakdown to further explain:
The most common dental emergencies that do not require an ER visit include:
- Chipped tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Knocked-out tooth
- Lost dental restoration
- Broken dentures
- Loose permanent teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- General jaw pain
- Toothache
- Soft tissue laceration (i.e., cheeks, gums, lips, tongue)
However, if you break or fracture your jaw, experience increased swelling that inhibits your breathing, or cannot stop oral bleeding after 10-15 minutes, it’s time to visit your ER for immediate medical assistance. Once the situation is under control, you can meet with your dentist to discuss further treatment.
Making the most of your time when experiencing a dental emergency is important. Don’t waste it sitting in the ER when you can count on your dentist to provide the care you need.
About the Practice
Are you trying to find a dentist who can perform an emergency tooth extraction near me? If so, you can stop your online search and allow Indy Dental Group to take care of the problem. With a team of local, qualified, and caring dentists, we prioritize patients’ needs, especially when they are faced with sudden injuries. No matter what kind of problem you may be experiencing, we have the equipment, expertise, and technology to restore your smile, so contact us at (317) 846-6125 if you need to see us right away.