A dental emergency can happen anywhere at any time. Whether it takes the form of the sudden onset of a throbbing toothache or falling face-first onto the edge of a table, it’s an unpleasant experience, and you’re going to need help. Since the problem is dental, it might be best to go to the dentist, but because it is an emergency, you might think you should head to the ER. Both options may seem appropriate, but which is best for what situation? Read on to find out when to go to which emergency care provider.
When Should I Go to the Dentist?
Even If a dental emergency is not life-threatening, it can still require immediate attention. Your dentist is specially trained to treat cases like toothaches and broken, cracked, or dislodged teeth. If you are experiencing an infection from decayed or abscessed teeth, the dentist is the best professional to help you if the swelling is not interfering with breathing or swallowing.
When Should I Go to the Emergency Room?
Sometimes, a toothache can strike when there is no dentist immediately available. Because they can be incredibly painful, you might not have (nor should you have) the patience to wait until the dental office opens in the morning. When this happens, an emergency room or urgent care visit is appropriate. It’s unlikely that the staff will be able to treat the root causes of your tooth trouble, but they can provide you with pain relievers and antibiotics until you can get proper dental care.
Other times, an oral accident happens that affects more than just the teeth. In cases like jaw dislocations, jaw fractures, oral infections that interfere with breathing or swallowing, or major lacerations on the mouth or face, more than dental health is at risk. Here, the larger problem takes priority. Since your typical dentist isn’t prepared to treat heavy bleeding, traumatic skeletal injuries, or infections that impede normal breathing, the ER is the better choice in these cases.
How to Care for a Dislodged Tooth
In some cases, a knocked-out tooth can be replanted in the gums. For the best chances of saving a dislodged tooth, follow these steps:
- Hold the tooth by the crown. Never touch the root or wrap it in a cloth.
- If the tooth is dirty, rinse it in a bowl with lukewarm water, taking care not to scrub it. Do not use hot or cold water.
- Try to keep the tooth in its socket or the cheek. Alternatively, keep it in a cup of milk. Some pharmacies even sell special solutions that can keep a tooth reimplantable for up to 24 hours.
- Get to the dentist or emergency room as soon as possible. The chances of saving the tooth begin to drop after thirty minutes, so it’s best to get care within an hour of the injury.
In a nutshell, your dentist is the professional best able to care for your emergency if it is strictly dental, though emergency rooms can help treat the pain of dental injuries if a dentist is not immediately available. If the dental injury is just a secondary effect of a larger crisis, the ER is the way to go. Knowing which provider suits which injury can help you get the care and relief you need as soon as you can.
About the Practice
Atrium Family Dental of New Lenox provides high-quality dental care to people of all ages in New Lenox, IL. Led by Drs. Sherif Albert, Christine Snow, and Amy Feller, the staff builds lasting patient relationships with a pleasant experience and the latest technology. Services include preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you have any questions about how to deal with a dental emergency, contact the office online or call the front desk at (815) 462-9990.