How to Deal With A Dental Emergency
November has arrived, which means that the next few months are going to be busy with all of the holiday festivities you have planned with your family and friends. We know that many of our patients have parties, family get-togethers, and even vacations planned. It is important to remember that a dental emergency or accident can happen at any time, especially when you least expect it. We want our patients to be prepared for any emergency that may come your way.
What is a Dental Emergency?
A dental emergency is any form of oral discomfort or trauma. We know that it can be difficult to determine whether an emergency needs to be handled immediately or if it can wait. Something such as slight discomfort or tooth sensitivity can be monitored to see if something more serious develops. A tooth that is cracked, chipped, or knocked out is an emergency that needs to be treated immediately.
If you are unsure whether you need to be seen immediately, we recommend calling our office as soon as possible. Our team will determine if you can monitor your symptoms at home, need to be seen in our office, or need to head to the emergency room. We recommend calling our office if you experience:
- Swelling around the face and mouth
- A filling or crown that has fallen out
- Chipped or cracked tooth
- Tooth abscess
- A knocked-out tooth
Best Way to Avoid an Emergency
The best way to avoid a dental emergency is to maintain regular hygiene appointments at our office. During your exam, we carefully examine your oral health. We are able to spot problem areas that need treatment immediately. Scheduling needed treatments in a timely fashion is one of the best ways to avoid an emergency.
If you find yourself dealing with a dental emergency, it is extremely important to remain calm and assess the situation. For anything severe, we recommend heading to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, be sure to call our office located in Bowie, MD, and we can schedule an appointment for you. We hope you have a happy and healthy upcoming holiday season and we will see you in our office soon!
