Dental problems always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. You could find yourself in urgent need of care on the weekend, in the evening, or when you are far away from your regular dentist. What should you do in such a situation? This blog post provides some practical guidance to help you find an emergency dentist ASAP. It also has tips to help you care for your mouth while you are waiting for your appointment.
Search for an Emergency Dentist
If you are far from home, or you do not have a regular dentist, one of the first things you should do is use Google or another search engine to search for “Emergency dentist in [city].” Quickly review your options and focus on the ones that have a convenient location and good reviews. For the best possible experience, you may choose to visit a dentist who offers sedation so you can stay calm and comfortable during your treatment.
Once you select a practice that you believe would be a good fit for you, call and request an emergency appointment. Most dentists are able to adjust their schedule to see urgent cases on a same-day basis.
What If Your Emergency Is After Hours?
Dental emergencies often occur outside of regular business hours. If your problem occurs during an evening, weekend, or holiday, do not panic. Instead, call your dentist and leave a phone message for them. They should get back to you early on the next business day.
In the meantime, you should take extra care of your mouth. Here are a few things you can do to minimize your pain and reduce the risk of further damage:
- Eat soft foods that require little to no chewing.
- Chew on the opposite side of your mouth from the tooth that is in pain.
- If there is swelling, use a cold compress to keep it under control.
- Regularly rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
- Continue to stick to your oral hygiene routine, but exercise extra gentleness when you are cleaning around your damaged tooth.
- If a filling or crown fell out of your mouth, you can try to temporarily put it back in place with a dab of orthodontic wax or over-the-counter dental adhesive. If that is not possible, store it securely and be sure to bring it to your dental appointment.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary.
Should You Visit the Hospital Emergency Room?
Most hospital emergency rooms are not able to handle dental emergencies. In some cases, they might choose to administer pain medication, but beyond that, they may be powerless to help.
Of course, there are some important exceptions. You should go straight to the ER if:
- You have a high fever along with your toothache.
- Severe swelling is interfering with your ability to breathe.
- Your jaw is broken or dislocated.
- You have other life-threatening symptoms, such as uncontrolled bleeding.
Once the hospital staff gets the situation under control, you can see your dentist later for follow-up treatment.
You should not have to suffer with a dental problem one moment longer than necessary! Use the tips in this article to find high-quality treatment ASAP.
Meet the Practice
Dr. Ben Sutter is a highly experienced general and emergency dentist in Eugene, OR. He is often able to see emergency patients on the same day they request an appointment. If you are struggling with a severe toothache or another urgent dental problem, or you would simply like to learn more about our practice, give us a call at 541-484-1955.