Where would you go to treat a knocked-out tooth or extreme toothache? Recent studies show that many people spend unnecessary time and money visiting the ER for their dental emergencies instead of heading to their local emergency dentist. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its tremendous impact on emergency health care services, it’s more important than ever to know where to turn if you’re experiencing a serious problem with your smile. Read on to find out what counts as a dental emergency and why you should call your dentist first instead of going straight to the ER.
Advantages of Calling Your Emergency Dentist First
When it comes to dental emergencies, acting quickly and correctly can make all the difference in saving your smile. However, that doesn’t mean you should immediately rush off to your local ER. There are several distinct advantages of calling your emergency dentist first during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
- You’re less likely to get sick: Both ER staff and dental practices have drastically increased their sanitation standards in order to keep their patients and staff healthy. However, fewer people will be visiting your dentist for care, so you’re much less likely to encounter someone who is sick and contagious.
- You’ll probably spend less time waiting: Emergency room staff aim to treat every medical emergency that walks through their doors, so it may take quite some time for a doctor to see you. Dental practices only treat issues involving your mouth and often have business hours reserved for emergency appointments, so your dentist should be able to treat you right away.
- You won’t be contributing to overcrowded hospitals: COVID-19 is an extremely infectious, fast-acting medical condition that can become a critical condition for some patients. Hospitals are currently filled past maximum capacity treating these serious cases in addition to the normal volume of medical emergencies. Taking your dental emergency to a dentist instead frees up the valuable time and effort of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who could be tending to these concerns.
- You can get the specialized dental care you need. While a trip to the ER can help you manage the pain associated with your dental emergency, it may not always treat the underlying issue. An emergency dentist will have the advanced training, experience, and modern technology to fully repair your smile.
Call Your Dentist for These Dental Emergencies
Unless you are having difficulty breathing or swallowing, you should call your dentist for urgent dental care for:
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth.
- Uncontrollable bleeding from the gums or soft tissue.
- A knocked-out or partially dislodged permanent tooth.
- A severe toothache.
- Fever, fatigue, swelling in the face, jaw, or neck, or other signs of infection.
To keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe, its more important than ever that we do our best to keep our smiles healthy and intact. However, if you or a loved one does experience a dental emergency during quarantine, consider skipping the ER and calling your dentist instead.
About the Practice
At Cambria Smiles in Cambria, CA, we place an emphasis on patient comfort and safety as we provide the highest quality dentistry possible. Our talented team of dentists has always made patients with dental emergencies a top priority. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, now more than ever we encourage you to contact us instead of your local ER if you or a loved one is experiencing a dental emergency. To get the quick, comfortable, and excellent care you need, contact us via our website or at (805) 927-4811.