Brushing and flossing twice daily combined with regular visits to your dentist every six months help protect and preserve your teeth and gums. Routine maintenance helps prevent common concerns, such as cavities and gum disease, but there’s unfortunately no guarantee that you’ll never have a dental emergency.
If you’ve sustained an injury or damaged a tooth or restoration, it’s natural to wonder whether you should visit your oral healthcare provider first, or head to the closest local emergency room. Continue reading to learn more about getting the right help quickly when you need it.
Should I Visit the ER First for Oral Issues?
When you’re experiencing a sudden dental problem, like a severe toothache or damaged enamel, you might not know whether you should immediately head to the closest emergency room or call your dentist first.
Although urgent care doctors are highly accomplished individuals, they don’t have the same in-depth training or state-of-the-art technology intended to assess your dental condition. That means in many cases, your dentist is better able to identify the root problem and devise a customized treatment plan. Furthermore, unlike the ER, they are more likely to provide the necessary services to mend your smile and can begin your treatment right away.
For example, if you have a broken tooth that can’t be repaired and requires extraction, your dentist has the instruments and experience to remove your troublesome tooth and alleviate your discomfort.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Are you unsure whether your dental dilemma even counts as an urgent issue? There are many reasons you might need to contact your provider for an emergency visit, such as:
- A severe or persistent toothache.
- Cracked, chipped, or broken enamel.
- A partially dislodged or loose adult tooth.
- A knocked-out permanent tooth.
- An abscess, cyst, or infection.
- A lost restoration, such as a filling, crown, bridge, or veneer.
- Soft-tissue damage, like a busted lip or cut to your gum tissues.
If you’re uncertain that your condition warrants an immediate visit, it’s best to call your dentist to let them know what’s happened. They’ll schedule an appropriate appointment time to examine your mouth, and based on your circumstances, might also provide care instructions over the phone for you to follow until you arrive.
When Should I Visit an ER Instead of My Dentist?
It’s often wisest to contact your dentist for an emergency visit as soon as possible, but there are some exceptions, including:
- A broken or dislocated jawbone.
- A severe laceration to the mouth that causes uncontrollable bleeding that doesn’t slow or stop after 10 minutes of firm pressure.
- A traumatic injury that affects your jaw’s mobility.
- A tooth abscess or infection that presents with additional symptoms such as pus-like discharge, unrelenting pain, fever and chills, or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
If you’re not sure whether your emergency requires your dentist’s attention or should be addressed by an emergency care physician, you can contact your oral healthcare provider, who can help advise you on your next best steps.
Meet the Author
Dr. Bryan Villescas is passionate about helping people enhance their daily lives by improving their oral health. He earned his dental degree from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, and today, is a member of prestigious organizations, such as the Academy of General Dentistry. He proudly provides a comprehensive menu of services, including emergency services, and offers sedation so you don’t have to wait long for relief. For an urgent appointment, it’s usually best to call the office at (941) 627-9900, but you can also reach us on our website.