All About Emergency Dentistry

Do you know much about emergency dentistry? For example, do you know which kinds of dental emergencies would require you to seek emergency care? Most people don't know much about emergency dentists. Thankfully, you have come to the right place to learn about it.

It's not important for you to learn everything about emergency dentistry. After all, you're the patient, and it's not your job to know. However, it's important to know when you should be looking for emergency dentistry or when a general dentist will do just fine. On that same note, you should also know when an emergency calls for more than just a dentist so that you can call 911.

Below is more information that you should know about emergency dentistry in Flint. By the end, you should have a better understanding of emergency dentistry in general.

What Is an Emergency Dentist?

You can probably figure out what an emergency dentist is from the name alone. To be clear, though, an emergency dentist provides emergency dental services. These services are useful when accidents pop up for which you can't wait for your regularly scheduled dental appointment to get treatment.

There's actually a pretty big difference between the services that an emergency dentist offers compared to a general dentist. Usually, general dentists offer simple cleanings, cavity fillings, and oral exams. An emergency dentist is more likely to take on a broken or impacted tooth.

Keep in mind that all emergency dentists are regular dentists as well. However, not all general dentists offer emergency services. That's why your current dentist might not be able to help you in a dental emergency.

The good news is that we can! We're proud to offer emergency dental services in Flint. Below are a few of the dental emergencies that we can help you with.

Fixing a Broken or Chipped Tooth

Chipping a tooth can leave you in a lot of pain. That's why most people seek treatment from emergency dentists when they break one or more of their teeth. You're right to worry about more than just the pain.

When you crack a tooth, it becomes prone to infection. If you don't get it fixed right away, you run the risk of losing your natural tooth. The quicker you get treatment, the more likely it is that your emergency dentist will be able to save your tooth.

Repairing a Loose Filling

When you need a filling, you schedule an appointment with your regular dentist. When a filling comes loose, you're going to want the treatment of an emergency dentist. Once a filling becomes loose or falls out, it makes it easy to damage your tooth further. Because of that, you don't want to wait around until your next dental visit to get treatment. You need to get it taken care of right away.

Addressing Extreme Pain

Sometimes, it's hard to pinpoint the cause of dental pain. If it's a mild pain that goes away after a while, it's probably not an emergency, so you can wait to bring it up with your dentist at your next checkup. If the pain is relentless, though, you might need to schedule an emergency dental appointment. Always keep in mind that pain is a sign that something is wrong.

Treating an Exposed Nerve

Dealing with an exposed nerve can bring about a lot of pain. Sometimes, people think that if the pain just stops abruptly, then they have nothing to worry about. What that means is that the nerve has become so damaged that you no longer feel pain. This isn't good for your teeth, and you need to have your dentist look at it right away.

Dealing With a Swollen Jaw

A jaw can become swollen for a number of reasons, none of which are good. If you have a swollen jaw, it's a good idea to seek emergency dental services. It could be an infection that needs treatment right away. In some rare cases, a swollen jaw can even be caused by cancer. Thus, it's better to get it checked out sooner rather than later.

Should You Head to the ER?

In some cases, you're better off skipping going to the dentist and going straight to an emergency room. That said, how do you know when you should go to the hospital instead of scheduling an emergency dental appointment? Knowing the difference can save you a lot of valuable time.

A good rule of thumb is to pay close attention to bleeding and swelling. If you're experiencing a lot of gum bleeding or swelling in the face, it's a good idea to get checked out in the emergency room first. The reason is that you could have another type of medical issue that requires medical help beyond what a dentist can provide.

Also, you should pay close attention to the day and time when you need treatment. The majority of emergency dental offices in Flint only offer treatment during their typical business hours. When you find yourself in need of treatment outside of these hours, your best option is urgent care or the hospital.

Do keep in mind that going to an ER or urgent care doesn't replace the need to visit your general dentist. The hospital will only treat the most serious issues. The staff isn't going to do much in regard to fixing or repairing damage done to your teeth. For that, you're going to have to visit your general dentist afterward.

We Provide Urgent Dental Services in Flint

Are you in need of dental treatment right now and can't wait? If so, you've come to the right place. We're one of the few offices in Flint that offers emergency dental services. When you need treatment right away, we're your go-to dental spot.

Don't wait to get treatment for a pressing dental issue. Reach out to us today, and let us get you on the schedule to see one of our dentists.