Which should you visit for an exam and therapy when you have a problem with your mouth, teeth, or gums—your dentist or the emergency room of a nearby hospital in Florida? Since the last thing you wish to do is wait for hours in an emergency dental care room while in pain only to find out that you need to see a dentist, it is a good idea to be ready and know what to do when minutes matter.
What should you opt for between an emergency dentist and an emergency room?
Any dental issue that needs a dentist’s immediate attention is regarded as a dental emergency. When medical attention is required in order to alleviate severe discomfort, stop bleeding, or save a tooth, the situation is considered an emergency. It is appropriate to say that you have a dental emergency if you have severe discomfort in your teeth that is producing a throbbing feeling, a shattered tooth, bleeding gums, a missing or damaged filling or crown, or a lost tooth.
There is not a single accepted definition of a dental emergency because it can include everything from a chipped or broken tooth to mouth infections, abscesses, terrible tooth pain, loose teeth, and more.
When should you visit your dentist for emergency care?
A number of conditions or accidents require a quick visit to your dentist, such as:
- Mouth or Gum Pain
Many issues, such as small cuts to the gums or oral tissues, might develop unexpectedly severe discomfort. Dentists are available to diagnose and treat any dental problems, from diseases and infections to gum injuries sustained from sports incidents or falls.
- Bitten Lip or Tongue
You can sometimes bite your lip or tongue, but you should visit a dental office immediately if the damage is severe enough, if an infection is showing symptoms if debris gets stuck in the incision, or if you are unable to stop the bleeding. Apply force to the bleeding area of your mouth with a clean cloth until you have access to a dentist. If the area has expanded, place an ice pack on it.
- Gum infection or abscessed tooth
Food particles or other objects may get stuck in your gums and infect your mouth. Pus develops surrounding the infection to form an abscess, which may show up on the gums or adjacent to the tooth. Many symptoms can result from mouth infections, depending on the nature of the disease. Your gums may feel irritated or red after brushing, or they may bleed if gum disease is the cause.
Extreme sensitivity to temperature is yet another possibility. Gum problems, abscesses, or mouth infections are dental emergencies that require an immediate visit to the dentist.
- Severe toothache
If the sharp ache in your teeth continues to bother you for longer than two days, speak with your dentist if using ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers has not helped. Applying heat is not recommended since it might worsen pain.
Using X-rays, the dentist will determine the source of your toothache and recommend a course of treatment. A root canal or a filling could be the course of treatment.
What differentiates an emergency dentist from an ordinary dentist?
There is nothing such as an emergency dentist; there are dentists who offer emergency care for severe dental problems. You might need emergency dental care on the weekend since dental emergencies rarely occur during regular working hours (such as when your usual dentist is open).
When should you visit a dentist in an emergency room?
In most of the above-mentioned situations, refrain from calling for an ER visit. For treatment, first visit your dentist; if required, they may suggest any further medical care. This can involve directing you to a professional like a periodontist or endodontist (in the unlikely scenario that you require a root canal).
