The Essential Guide To Scheduling An Urgent Dentist Appointment

The sight of a dental emergency can be as complex as confusing! 

We say this because most individuals have no idea of dental emergencies. For most individuals, dental emergencies refer to any oral pain that is not withstandable. 

Besides, many individuals have zero experience navigating through an oral emergency. Keeping the same in mind, we’ve curated a blog that explores everything about dental emergency services. 

So continue reading as we explore the steps between realizing an emergency and taking interim actions during such situations. 

But What Exactly Is A Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is when your dental discomfort or pain escalates to a level that prohibits you from carrying out your everyday tasks. However, a dental emergency generally differs from a medical one as it doesn’t require visiting an ER.

Here’s an overview of what a dental emergency looks like:

• Severe toothache.
• Dental abscess (swelling of your face and jaw).
• Extruded (partially dislodged) tooth.
• Badly cracked tooth.
• Knocked-out tooth.
• Broken or lost dental restoration.
• Severe soft tissue injury (like a busted lip or deep cut).

Apart from these instances, it’s essential to understand when to visit an emergency dental clinic. When evaluating a dental emergency, it’s important to understand the situation. 

For instance, a missing filling, a cracked tooth, or a missing crown is unlikely to be deemed a dental emergency unless fragmented pieces are left in your mouth, causing unbearable pain. Additionally, a toothache will not likely be considered a dental emergency unless the pain is exceedingly acute. 

So now that we’re clear about dental emergencies, let’s focus on the different steps to seek emergency dentist care in the following section. 

Different Stages Of Scheduling An Emergency Dental Appointment

Getting An Emergency Appointment

Once you’ve determined if your problem is a dental emergency, you must immediately contact a dentist and schedule a dental emergency treatment. Most dental clinics will leave several appointments open for prospective emergency appointments, and you should be able to be seen within the following 24 hours. This appointment may occur within or outside the practice’s normal business hours.

Waiting For An Emergency Appointment

While you wait for your emergency appointment with an urgent care in Aubrey, TX, it is critical to maintain good general oral health and avoid aggravating your problem. The precise actions depend on your unique problem; for example, if you have a suspected tooth abscess, avoid hot food and drink, use a soft toothbrush, and avoid flossing the afflicted region. 

Swish your mouth with warm salt water before the visit to sanitize the region. On the other hand, if your tooth has been knocked out, you should rinse it with running water and replace it in its socket (if possible). If this is not possible, place the tooth in milk until you can visit the emergency care dentist. This helps maintain the tooth’s pH balance and sustain the tooth’s living components. You should do your best to keep the area clean and debris-free, which might lead to infection.

So now that we have an idea of the basics of an emergency appointment let’s look at the steps following your visit to a dental emergency room. 

What To Expect During Urgent Care Visit?

Following an emergency dental visit, you will undergo the following steps: 

1. Exam and Diagnosis

After you visit your nearest immediate care dentist, they’ll prepare you for exams and diagnosis. During the exam, the dentist will take your medical history, do a visual examination, and, if required, get X-ray photos of the problematic tooth. The dentist will utilize the information gathered to develop a diagnosis and guide therapy. 

2. Preparation For The Procedure

If the dentist suggests a procedure, they will describe what will happen during the operation and what you may expect regarding recovery time and follow-up care. They will also answer questions to make you feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the operation.

3. Application Of Anaesthetic 

If you must continue the procedure immediately, your dentist in Aubrey, TX, will need to use anesthesia to numb the tooth and guarantee you are not in pain. 

4. Treatment

The dentist will most likely offer pain treatment immediately if you are in significant pain. Your doctor may apply local anesthetic or prescribe pain relievers to alleviate your suffering.

  For example:

Your dentist will replace a loose filling with a new one or a different restoration. On the contrary, your emergency dentist will treat pulpitis with a root canal or attach a lost tooth. 

Conclusion

This brings us to the end of our essential guide to schedule your appointment with an emergency care dentist. Looking at the different factors, it’s evident that you need to be fast with your actions in dental emergencies. 

Regarding such emergencies, it’s always wise to check for the doctors, their experience, and your dental savings plan before visiting the dental emergency room. All the best!

We’re There For You

Emergencies can be frightening! Such events call for professional help at the earliest. At Paloma Creek Dental & Orthodontics, we strive to be the area’s #1 dental emergency center. Our prompt services and quality assistance are all you need for your emergency.