Need to see an emergency dentist and have concerns?
Here, 5 queries about emergency dental care are answered so you can know what to expect.
Does emergency dentistry hurt?
It is hard to say, but many patients understandably have this concern!
Any visit to a dental Coorparoo that requires an emergency check-up is likely to be based around discomfort and so you should seek to alleviate any pain that you are in, rather than letting it go on unabated.
All emergency dental teams will aim to allay the discomfort you are experiencing, so no, instead emergency dental treatment should provide quick and longed-for relief..
When should I visit an emergency dentist?
There are some tell-tale signs that you require an urgent dental appointment.
For one thing, if you have unrelenting dental pain that is preventing you from sleeping or eating, then you need to seek emergency help.
If you have lost a filling or crown, have an oral bleed that isn’t stopping, have an ulcer larger than a small coin or have recently cracked or chipped one of your teeth, you should seek emergency dental care.
Similarly, if you are currently wearing a fitted brace that has come loose, or you have a lump or bump in your mouth that is causing concern, you should also seek emergency help to alleviate these issues.
Will I need a follow-up appointment with my regular dentist?
When you attend an emergency dental appointment, even if it is not at your regular dental surgery, your general dentist will be informed.
And as such, depending on the nature of the emergency, you may need to attend a follow-up appointment, especially in the case of more serious issues such as dental abscesses.
This will allow your regular dentist to perform either a root canal or an extraction, which will prevent the abscess and infection from recurring and will help to relieve any discomfort you are in.
Are all emergency dental teams open 24 hours a day?
No, they aren’t.
To try and find an emergency dental team, you will need to search online for a 24-hour dentist in your local area if your emergency occurs outside of office hours (which, for some reason, a lot of dental emergencies do!). If you cannot find one, it may be best to attend your nearby hospital for emergency care. That way, you will get emergency pain relief and will be able to have the issue examined promptly without putting your health at risk.
How can I prevent dental emergencies?
Sometimes, you can’t, especially if your dental emergency revolves around an issue such as a bleed or a knocked-out tooth that can be caused by an impact.
But for issues such as lost restoratives (fillings or crowns), tooth decay, toothache and abscesses, the best way to prevent them is with regular brushing, good oral hygiene and of course attending dental check-ups every 6 months.
Remember, an emergency dentist will not berate you if you have missed a few check-ups and will only want to alleviate any discomfort you are in, so don’t worry about being judged. If you are in discomfort, seek help immediately!
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
