As you scroll through your e-mails over breakfast, you are suddenly interrupted by a minor twinge of pain in your tooth. By lunchtime, the slight discomfort has turned into a searing throb that has made it difficult to concentrate on anything else. As you grab your keys to find the fast, effective relief you need, a thought suddenly hits you. “Should I go to the hospital or the dentist?”
During a painful toothache or dental injury, the last thing you want is to frantically search for answers on what to do and where to go. Therefore, an emergency dentist in Indian Land in sharing when you should go to the hospital, when you should schedule a same-day visit with your dentist, and what to do if your dentist isn’t available.
When Should I Go to the Hospital?
Since a trip to the hospital is what you are taught to do in virtually every other emergency, it is not hard to see why people often seek treatment for their dental pain there. However, it is important to note that emergency rooms rarely have a dentist on staff, so they are not able to treat the root of the issue. Nevertheless, they should be your top choice when your dental pain is in conjunction with any potentially life-threatening conditions like:
- Jaw dislocations and fractures.
- Serious cuts or gashes to the face and mouth.
- Severe swelling that infection that is preventing you from breathing or swallowing.
When Should I Schedule a Same-Day Visit with My Dentist?
Some dental issues, like tooth sensitivity or a minor toothache, can wait a few days without treatment. However, other conditions can worsen, become infected, or spread if a dentist does not intervene immediately. Examples of symptoms that require care but are not life-threatening include:
- A cracked or broken tooth.
- A knocked-out or dislodged tooth.
- Abnormal swelling or bleeding.
- Pain from inflammation or an abscess.
What If My Dentist Isn’t Available?
Dental emergencies are never convenient, but they can be especially stressful when they occur after hours or on a holiday. Nevertheless, your dentist should still be your first call, even if their office isn’t open. Often, dental teams provide step-by-step instructions on their answering machine of what to do in an emergency. Plus, they may have a specific phone number dedicated to scheduling emergency appointments. However, if your dentist isn’t available, then you should go to the emergency room. Although they may not have a dentist on staff, they can provide you pain-relief medication and monitor your symptoms.
Finding yourself amid a dental emergency can be anxiety-inducing. Fortunately, you can use the above information to get the fast, effective treatment you need in any situation!
About the Author
After graduating with honors from the University of Vermont, Dr. James Candon was accepted into the prestigious University of Maryland School of Dentistry (which is the first dental school in the world!). Today, Dr. Candon uses his impressive education, exemplary skill, and passion for dentistry to provide his patients at BridgeMill Dental Care with world-class service that is second to none. If you have a toothache in Indian Land, contact him through his website or by phone at 803-650-3925.