Life is uncertain, and emergencies can happen at any time. Unfortunately, dental emergencies have an especially strange way of happening at the most inconvenient moments, and toothaches, fractures, and dislodged teeth all require immediate attention from a dental professional. Here are some tips on finding an emergency dentist when you need one most so you can get back to smiling comfortably as soon as possible.
Plan Ahead for Dental Emergencies
Just as you still have smoke detectors even though you don’t want to have a fire, it’s a great idea to keep an emergency dentist’s phone number in your address book. While this will probably be your usual dentist when you’re at home, if you’re going on vacation or away on business, you can research dentists at your destination ahead of time. When you find one you like, you can contact your dentist at home and ask them to set up a line of communication with the other office so they can exchange information if needed. If you’re not sure which dentist to pick, ask your usual provider for recommendations.
What Should I Do When an Emergency Happens?
When you have a dental crisis, you should immediately contact your emergency dentist to let them know you’re coming and explain your situation in detail before you start heading that way. If you have someone else with you, you can save time by having one drive and the other call the dentist on their cell phone. Dentists usually treat emergencies with greater urgency than routine appointments, so you should be able to get treatment soon after you get there.
What if an Emergency Dentist Is Not Available?
Unfortunately, not every town in America has a 24-hour dental office. If you find yourself in a dental emergency when there aren’t any dentists available, head to the emergency room. The staff can provide you with pain relievers, antibiotics, and treatments that can keep a dislodged tooth in savable condition until you can get to the dental office the next day. It might be the next-best thing, but it can make the difference between a long night of misery leading to permanent oral damage and a reasonably comfortable night followed by a sufficiently repaired smile the next day.
Dentists are doctors specializing in the health of the mouth and teeth, and they are prepared to address any dental crisis. Nobody wants to be hit with a dental emergency, but knowing what to do when it happens can lead you to the best possible outcome.
About the Author
Dr. Jon Kirlough graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2000 and afterward completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Fellowship at the Naval Dental Center on Parris Island. He served as a dental officer in the Navy for three years and has since accumulated over 500 hours of continuing education covering the newest dental techniques and technologies. His office in Cleveland, OH offers preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you’re having a dental emergency, call his office at (440) 234-2445 or, to schedule a routine appointment, contact him online.