Getting emergency dental care should be your first priority should you experience acute pain in your teeth or gums or be subject to trauma affecting the teeth in any way. The faster you get treatment, the more successful that treatment is likely to be. Here is how to go about getting the treatment you need as soon as possible.
Getting emergency dental care should be your first priority should you experience acute pain in your teeth or gums or be subject to trauma affecting the teeth in any way. The faster you get treatment, the more successful that treatment is likely to be. When someone breaks their arm or suffers symptoms similar to a heart attack, the answer is obvious: call 911 or go to the emergency room. But when it comes to tooth pain and trauma, the answer isn’t always that easy. That’s why too many people neglect to get the treatment they need in time. Here is how to go about getting the treatment you need as soon as possible.
If you have a regular dentist, you should call them first, particularly if the incident happens within the hours of normal business. If you are a regular patient, they should be able to get you in for emergency dental care, pushing back other appointments if need be. Strangely enough, many people skip right over this possibility. Even if it is past the office’s typical hours, you might want to try calling anyway. Many offices have recorded messages informing their patients on what they should do in case of an emergency. Others have a call staff waiting by 24 hours a day. If there is a special number for cases like this, try calling it to see what can be done.
If you don’t have a regular dentist or that option looks like a dead end, it’s time to find someone in town that can treat you in a hurry. Start with an internet directory or the phone book. Look up emergency dental care and see what you can come up with. Chances are you won’t have to look hard to find a place that can take you. Of course, the bad part about this is you’re likely to find yourself going someplace you’ve never gone before. Still, this is far superior to waiting until you can get an appointment, at which time it may be too late to save your tooth. This is especially true if you’ve lost a tooth. Experts agree that you have approximately a half hour before replacing the tooth becomes an impossibility. This is an incredibly small window of time, so take advantage of every second.
If all else fails, try seeking out a local dental school. They may be able to provide you with emergency dental care for a reduced price. While it certainly isn’t the best option, it is, again, a much better option than doing nothing. Check to see if they accept patients on an emergency basis and make sure you get clear directions so you know where to go.
