A Guide To Getting An Emergency Dental Appointment

Dental Emergency

While getting an emergency dental appointment may sound like a matter of making a call, there is a lot to consider before booking one. One of these is whether yours is a dental emergency or not. A dental emergency is generally defined as a dental condition that is so severe that it interferes with normal everyday functions. For example, a toothache may be a dental emergency or not, depending on the severity of the ache.

In this article, we give you a guide on getting an emergency dental appointment.

What is a Dental Emergency?

Dental emergencies can take many forms. If you are suffering from severe dental pain, that can be classified as a dental emergency. The same thing would apply in cases where one is bleeding uncontrollably in the mouth when a tooth is knocked out, or in the case of a periodontal abscess.  Most dental practices normally keep some slots open in their time schedules for dental emergencies. This way, patients who need to see a dentist right away are usually able to do so.

What is Not a Dental Emergency?

Conditions such as having a filling fall out, a cracked tooth, or a missing crown are typically not classified as dental emergencies. In such cases, your dentist will be able to slot you to the nearest appointment available. While conditions in this category may not be severe enough to disrupt your life, they may still be serious enough to cause discomfort. For example, a cracked tooth can make chewing food difficult even if the condition is not an emergency. In such a case, you can ask your dentist for tips on how to manage the pain as you wait for your appointment.

Securing an Emergency Appointment

Once you place a call to your dentist for an appointment, he or she may be able to assess how quickly you need treatment. For conditions that are severe enough, dentists are often able to see the patient immediately or shortly after. They may also advise the patients on what they can be doing as they wait for treatment. For example, in cases where a tooth has been knocked out, your dentist will guide you on how to preserve and store the knocked-out tooth. This way, it is kept in a good-enough condition to be reattached back.

Emergency dental appointments can be within the working hours of the dental practice or can be outside these hours.

Pre-treatment

There are some steps that you can take as you wait for treatment that can help manage the condition. For example, if you have suffered from any kind of injury in the mouth, you should avoid taking any hot or cold drink as this may irritate the injured part. When it comes to tooth abscesses, you should keep the area clean using a soft toothbrush to avoid injuring the sensitive tissue. Remember to rinse your mouth with a saline solution to help kill bacteria. Rinsing out the affected area with warm salt water has been known to reduce the pain that usually accompanies an abscess. One way to ensure that you get prompt treatment after a dental emergency is to have your dentist’s emergency contact at an accessible place. This can help your babysitter to call for help quickly in case a dental emergency occurs when you are not around.

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