Dental emergencies, if not handled correctly, can be life-threatening. Although they don’t happen very often, when they do, these situations can be the cause of your nightmare. The emergencies need to be addressed and treated immediately. This is why looking for a dental office providing top-quality emergency dental care beforehand is considered a wise choice.
Finding a dental office is no longer a tough task to accomplish. Thanks to the advancements in the field of technology, you can now look for the “best emergency dentists near me” on the internet by just sitting in your room. This will give you a long list of options to choose from.
But, the rise in demand for dental care has led to an increase in the number of dental offices providing emergency dental treatments. Not all of them comply with their patients’ requirements and fulfill the promises made in the advertisements. Keeping this in mind, you need to consider a few factors while choosing an emergency dentist nearby.
What Is A Dental Emergency?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a dental emergency may put one’s life in danger and necessitate immediate treatment to stop continuous bleeding, relieve excruciating pain, or prevent an infection. Examples of such situations include:
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Infections that result in inflammation and may impair airflow
- Injury to the facial bones that can interfere with airflow
- for more information on what to do in dental emergency situations read more here.
Most individuals fail to realize that not all situations can be considered dental emergencies. Some questions that you can ask yourself to determine if it is a dental emergency have been mentioned in the pointer below:
- Are you suffering from tremendous pain? Excruciating pain and bleeding are common indications of a dental emergency.
- Have you lost a tooth? If yes, going to a dental office in a short period can save the tooth.
- Do you have a loose tooth? A loose tooth is a significant issue, even without discomfort. Adults should not have loose teeth. Know how dental implants can help you in that situation.
- Is there a severe infection? Treatment should not be delayed if you have an abscess or significant oral infection.
- Are you suffering from persistent bleeding? As mentioned before, this is one of the most common signs of a dental emergency.
How To Find An Emergency Dentist Near You?
There are many factors to take into account while choosing an emergency dentist. It is crucial to choose the right dentist to make the process of recovery after a dental injury or infection considerably simpler.
Conduct A Quick Google Search
You can choose to search for the best emergency dental care providers near you on google. This will help you to get a list of dental offices providing the top-rated emergency dental care in your area.
Do Call The Dental Offices
You can quickly get the contact information of the dental offices near you from google. Start calling the dental offices to gather the necessary details. This will help you to make an informed choice while consulting a dentist in case of dental emergencies.
Use The ADA Dentist Locator Tool
The ADA dentist locator tool will help you find a dentist by location, name, and specialty. Hence, looking for a reliable emergency dentist near you becomes easy.
Find One Who Accepts Your Dental Insurance
Find out if the dentist accepts your dental insurance. If they don’t, it’s wise to be aware of this before seeing them during an emergency. The insurance company may also provide a list of dentists who accept the plan and are willing to serve individuals in an emergency.
Common Types Of Dental Emergencies
We have provided the most common types of dental emergencies in the sections below.
Unusual Toothache
Toothaches are more than just some inconvenience. They are a sign from your body that something is wrong in your mouth. Find a competent emergency dentist to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of the problem when you have sudden, unexplained tooth pain. Read here to know more about the fastest way to stop a toothache at home.
Inflamed Or Bleeding Gums
Even though occasional gum irritation is not a dental emergency, persistent bleeding in the gums, particularly if it is accompanied by pain and swelling, might be a sign of a dental problem. You need to know that it is abnormal to have bleeding gums for no apparent reason. Schedule an appointment with your dentist straight away if you have these symptoms.
Swollen Mouth Or Jaw
If your mouth or jaw suddenly becomes swollen for no apparent cause, it’s vital to go for an emergency dentist appointment. You may suffer from an infection, irritation to your lymph nodes, or other factors that should be addressed as early as possible.
Knocked Out Teeth
It can be pretty shocking to have a tooth abruptly knocked out of your mouth by a strong impact. However, you stop panicking and act quickly to save the tooth. The American Association of Endodontists states that your dentist may be able to reinsert and save your tooth if you reach the dental office on time.
Abscessed Tooth
A dental abscess is a serious, possibly fatal condition where an infection has spread from a pus-filled pocket in the tooth. An abscessed tooth could result in:
- Sensitivity to extreme temperatures
- Fever
- Persistent tooth pain
- Inflammation in the face
- Formation of a pimple-like bump on your gums near the affected tooth
We hope you have now gained a clear understanding of how to find an emergency dentist near you. If you face any of the dental emergencies mentioned above, do not hesitate to contact a dentist as quickly as possible.
Lastly, always remember that prevention is better than cure. Do your part in maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine that might help prevent critical dental conditions and have a proper routine dental care read more about it here.