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Should I Consult a Hospital or Dentist for a Dental Emergency? Emergency Dentistry Near Me
Maybe you’ve sustained trauma to your face, which has knocked your teeth loose. Maybe you have severe toothaches, and you don’t know how to get through the day. Emergency cosmetic dentistry can occur at any time, regardless of dental appointments or convenient dental clinic timings. If you’ve come across a dental emergency, you may wonder if you should consult a hospital or dentist for a dental emergency. There is no single answer because dental emergencies vary in their intensity and requirements. In this article, we discuss the situations in which you should or shouldn’t go to hospitals or dental clinics in Houston, Texas.
When to go to a hospital for an emergency cosmetic dentistry.
Dental emergencies requiring immediate medical attention without delay include jaw fractures, jaw dislocations, lacerations to the face and mouth, severe bleeding, abscesses, and infections that severely impact your breathing and swallowing. All of these situations can be potentially life-threatening, so you should call 911 or have someone drive you to the hospital’s emergency room without delay. If you already have an emergency dental care clinic, you can contact your emergency cosmetic dentistry and seek their advice. Unless they can see you immediately, without delay, you should go to the hospital’s emergency room.
When to go to a dental clinic for an emergency in dentistry.
Dental emergencies aren’t always life-threatening — some of them may be severe and need immediate attention without being life-threatening. If you break or crack your tooth, either through trauma or while eating something hard, you should contact your emergency dental clinic. You must contact your emergency dental clinic if your tooth gets knocked out because you have a short window — 30 minutes to 1 hour — within which the tooth can be saved and reattached. If you go to a hospital, you may have to wait for your turn in a crowded emergency room, which may make your tooth impossible to save. You can also go to your dental clinic if you have an infection or an abscessed tooth unless the dental issue is making it hard to breathe or swallow. Whatever the dental issue may be, you must contact your dentist and follow their advice.
What to do if your regular clinic for an Emergency Dentist near me isn’t open.
Dental clinics don’t stay open 24/7. You may find a dental clinic that stays open during Saturdays and late in the days, but you probably won’t find a dental clinic open all the time. As such, you may also get a dental emergency during a time when your dental clinic isn’t open, and you can’t contact your emergency dentist. If your dental emergency isn’t life-threatening, you can call your dentist to ask for their advice. If they ask you to go to a hospital, do that. And if they say you can schedule an appointment for when the clinic is open, do that. Emergency dentists often provide their patients with after-hours emergency care — your dentist may also ask you to visit them even if the dental clinic is closed. You’re good as long as you do everything in consultation with your emergency dentist and go to a hospital if they’re not available.
When to not consult an emergency dentist or hospital.
Not all dental issues are emergencies. For example, tooth sensitivity can occur because of reasons like a decaying tooth, a small decay, loose fillings, and other such situations that don’t warrant immediate attention. Other non-emergencies include loose filling, lost dental crowns, loosened braces, etc. In these situations, you can call your dentist office near me if you’re overly concerned, but you can also wait for regular dental clinic hours.
What are medical emergencies in dentistry?
According to the American Dental Association, medical emergencies in dentistry are potentially life-threatening or other urgent problems that require immediate attention. The following is a brief list of some of the most common medical emergencies in dentistry:
- Severe dental pain caused by pulpal inflammation.
- Pains in the third molars.
- Dry socket dressing changes.
- Dental abscesses or localized infections.
- Severe dental fractures.
- Severe dental trauma.
- Extensive dental caries.
What is emergency cosmetic dentistry?
There is no such thing as emergency cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic dentistry, by definition, refers to dental treatments meant solely for aesthetic purposes, such as teeth whitening, dental veneers, bonding, and other dental services that enhance the aesthetic appeal of your smile without providing any functional benefits. Cosmetic dentistry services are entirely elective and non-essential, which makes them the furthest thing from emergencies.
Why is visiting the dentist so important?
You must visit the dentist at least once every six months for regular dental checkups and teeth cleaning. During dental checkups, the dentist will look for signs of gum disease and dental decay. During teeth whitening, the dentist will remove all the accumulated plaque and tartar from your teeth, preventing gum disease. As such, you must visit dentists regularly as a preventative measure.
My teeth feel fine. Do I still need to see a dentist?
You should see a dentist even if your teeth feel fine because prevention is better than cure, especially when it comes to dentistry. Your adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime, provided you care for them. All dental problems can be avoided if you go to a dentist for regular checkups.
Schedule Dental Appointment
URBN Dental is one of the most experienced and reputable clinics for emergency dentistry near me in Houston, Texas. We have dental clinics in highly accessible parts of Houston, both in Uptown and Midtown Houston. Our dentist will also provide their number in care of dental emergencies. Please call us during emergencies, and we’ll tell you what to do. For more information, please schedule a dental appointment today.
Summary:
Dental emergencies can occur at any time, regardless of dental appointments or convenient dental clinic timings. If you’ve come across a dental emergency, you may wonder if you should consult a hospital or dentist for a dental emergency. There is no single answer because dental emergencies vary in their intensity and requirements. Go to a hospital for dental emergencies requiring immediate medical attention without delay, including jaw fractures, jaw dislocations, lacerations to the face and mouth, severe bleeding, abscesses, and infections that severely impact your breathing and swallowing. You can contact your emergency dental clinic for issues that are severe and urgent but not life-threatening. URBN Dental is one of the most experienced and reputable clinics for emergency dentist near me in Houston, Texas. Our dentist will provide their number in care of dental emergencies. Please call us during emergencies, and we’ll tell you what to do. For more information, please schedule a dental appointment today.