When you knock out a tooth, notice red or swollen gums, or feel a shooting toothache, your first thought might be to go straight to an ER. While no one would blame you for this instinct, there are a couple of reasons why you might want to visit your emergency dentist instead. Keep reading to find out why.
What is An Emergency Dentist?
An emergency dentist is pretty much what they sound like. They’re trained to handle unexpected and urgent dental issues, like sudden and sharp toothaches, chipped or broken teeth, damaged restorations, and so much more. Many offer same-day appointments for emergency situations and can sometimes provide sedative solutions like oral conscious sedation. Basically, their goal is to treat you quickly and alleviate discomfort.
What’s Wrong with Going to the ER?
Nothing! Especially if your dental emergency is complex enough to cause life-threatening complications like an allergic reaction. However, the average ER is not usually equipped to handle the treatments necessary for most dental emergencies. Pulling a tooth or performing a root canal, for example, would be out of the question. It’s not that they don’t want to help you; most simply don’t have the right tools or certifications to do so safely and legally.
Advantages To Calling an Emergency Dentist First
If your ER doesn’t have a dentist on-staff, they might still be able to alleviate your discomfort, but will ultimately refer you to a local dental practice for treatment. Contacting your emergency dentist first, then, can save you time and money. They can also provide first-aid instructions over the phone, so your immediate pain will still be addressed while you work out an appropriate appointment time.
Dental emergencies are as alarming as other spontaneous medical disasters. However, dentistry is a highly specialized field, so the average ER might not be the most convenient solution. Fortunately, that’s what emergency dentists are for! Even if you’re unsure whether your dental problem counts as an emergency, they’ll hear you out over the phone and let you know how urgent the issue is. It never hurts to give them a call, just in case.
About the Practice
Drs. Clarine Hightower and Natasha Barrow are highly accomplished dentists with an impressive list of credentials. Dr. Hightower is experienced with pediatric, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, while Dr. Barrow earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Between the two of them, you can count on Ambiance Dental Spa to promptly and effectively treat your dental emergency and any necessary touch-ups. To contact their office, call 301-262-2624.