Do You Need an Emergency Dentist or Can You Wait for an Appointment?

If you are having a tooth problem, you might wonder if you should see an emergency dentist or wait until your regular dental practitioner can fit you in for a visit. In many cases, seeing a practitioner immediately costs extra money and can even interrupt your schedule, especially if you have to have surgery unexpectedly. Of course, the benefit is that it can relieve pain immediately. This is why you should consider whether your problem justifies a trip to the emergency dentist, weighing the pros and cons of each decision.

The first thing to think about is whether you can wait to see your regular dental practitioner. If the pain is severe and you cannot concentrate on work, school, or your hobbies, it is probably best to be seen right away so that you do not have to suffer. You may be able to be seen by your normal practitioner the same day that you call for an appointment, but the fact is that it is not unusual for some dentists to be booked a few weeks ahead of time. If you call and find that you cannot be seen at the typical office for at least a few days, and the pain is severe, you should head to an emergency office instead.

Another detail to think about is the price you will pay for each option. Most dentists charge extra to see patients at odd hours, such as in the middle of the night or even the evening. This is why you should try to wait until regular hours so you can see your own dental provider. However, if you are missing work due to the pain, it makes sense to pay a little extra to see someone right away. This is especially true if the emergency dentist you are considering does not charge much more than your normal provider for visits at odd hours.

Sometimes an issue with your teeth is worse than you might assume. It is one thing to have discomfort that comes and goes, as you can probably wait a few days to get this checked out. However, if you have sudden, stabbing pain that does not go away, it is time to go to a dental office as soon as you can. In addition, if your tooth is broken, you need to be seen immediately. Not only is this usually painful, but you can get an infection in the area that is exposed to bacteria. If you let an infection in your mouth continue on for long, it may spread to other parts of your body, which can make you very ill.

Many dental issues are not serious and can wait a few days or weeks to be treated. However, some need to be treated right away, and can be quite painful. Consider these details before you decide whether to get an immediate appointment or wait at least until the morning to be seen. It usually comes down to the amount of pain you have and the amount of money you are willing to spend.