Dental emergencies are stressful and difficult to handle, especially if you don’t have a trusted general dentist you can rely on to provide you with timely urgent care. Whether you just knocked-out a permanent tooth or you have a severe toothache that you can’t stand to bear any longer, knowing how to find an emergency dentist fast is important. Read on to learn what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
Determine Whether Your Situation Requires Urgent Attention
The first step you should always take if you’re experiencing a dental emergency is to not panic, take a deep breath, and evaluate your symptoms. Toothaches, knocked-out permanent teeth, and chipped or otherwise damaged teeth all require timely intervention. If you’re experiencing dental sensitivity that comes and goes, or bleeding gums, it’s important to call your dentist, but these situations may not warrant a same-day appointment. Finally, if you’re experiencing difficulty breathing, bleeding that won’t stop or slow, or you believe your jaw is broken, your local emergency room may be the best place for you to go.
Find a Dentist Who Offers Same-Day Emergency Appointments
Finding an emergency dentist who has time carved out in their schedule to accept same-day patients can be hard, but the best way to do this is by using the internet. You can search “emergency dentist” in the maps application of your phone to find one near you, and by visiting their website or calling their office, you’ll be able to find out whether they can see you the same day.
Take Proper Steps to Protect Your Smile Until You Reach the Office
Whether your appointment with your emergency dentist is in an hour or two days, they’ll be able to provide you with first aid guidance to minimize any damage to your smile until then. This can include taking over-the-counter pain medication to ease your discomfort, preparing and salvaging a knocked-out missing tooth to be replanted, or stopping bleeding caused by a soft tissue laceration.
Get the Treatment You Need
Once you arrive, your emergency dentist and their team will kick into action by capturing any necessary diagnostic images and completing a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums. Based on their findings, they’ll be able to diagnose the issue and present you with one or more treatment plans, as well as answer any questions. Once you consent to moving forward with their recommendation, you’ll already be well on your way towards finding relief and restoring your oral health.
About the Author
With well over a decade of experience, Dr. Rafiq Hirji has helped hundreds of patients find relief by providing same-day emergency care. He is certified in Level 2 Sedation and has completed advanced training in a variety of clinical areas, including children’s dentistry. For questions or to schedule an urgent, same-day visit for a dental emergency, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur’s website or call 972-546-4114.