Dental emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, so it’s important to know what to do when one arises. Different issues require different levels of care. Knowing where to go for treatment can save you hours of pain and frustration. You have the choices of a traditional hospital emergency room or an emergency dentist in Greenfield for care. But how do you know which place to go to? Read on to find out what kinds of emergencies can be treated at each location.
When To Visit The Emergency Room
If your pain is so excruciating that you can’t go about your day, that’s when you need to go to an emergency room. Situations like a broken jaw bone, extreme trauma, swelling that interrupts your breathing, and severe continuous bleeding are issues that need to be addressed immediately.
When To Visit An Emergency Dentist
You should consider visiting your emergency dentist in Greenfield when you have pain that is noticeable, but not life-threatening. Cases that they can help with include:
- Cracked or knocked out teeth
- Bleeding gums
- Abscesses
- Sores that last for longer than two weeks
- Broken crowns
- Constant toothaches
What Is Not Considered A Dental Emergency
While some issues are annoying and mildly painful, they don’t require immediate care. Such problems are:
- Minor chips
- Staining caused by food
- Canker sores
The Benefits of Visiting The Dentist For Emergency Care
If you can handle the pain, it’s best to try and get in touch with your emergency dentist for care. There, you’ll find a treatment environment suited to your specific needs. Some advantages of visiting the dentist for aid are:
- Specialized expertise: Your dentist has years of training to diagnose and treat dental issues. An emergency room doctor will likely not have the same level of in-depth experience.
- Advanced technology: Tools like an intraoral camera and a cone beam scanner are going to give your dentist a better insight into what’s actually happening in your mouth. Most hospital emergency rooms are only going to provide you with a standard X-ray.
- Lower Costs: Emergency rooms are not equipped to provide dental care. In most cases, doctors there will refer you to a dentist after they get you out of pain. Instead of paying for visits to a hospital and a dentist, just save your money and come to the dentist first.
When a dental emergency begins, being prepared can go a long way in make the experience less stressful. Take a moment to evaluate the conditions surrounding your pain so you can make an informed decision about where to go for care.
About the Author
Dr. William Carini went to the Marquette University School of Dentistry. He has taken hundreds of hours of annual continuing education to learn how to treat dental emergencies with the latest technologies. If you are concerned that you may require emergency care, you can contact him through his website or at 414-258-9630.