{"id":96,"date":"2024-12-19T19:14:57","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T19:14:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cpfamilydental.com\/blog\/?p=96"},"modified":"2025-01-02T19:16:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-02T19:16:05","slug":"should-i-go-to-the-er-for-a-dental-emergency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cpfamilydental.com\/blog\/should-i-go-to-the-er-for-a-dental-emergency\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Dental emergencies<\/a> can be very scary, and it can be confusing to determine where to go when one happens. But unlike for medical emergencies, your local emergency room is usually not equipped to handle dental problems. Thankfully, your dentist offers emergency services that can help relieve your pain and treat your problem, so you\u2019ll never have to be turned away from the ER.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Specialized Dental Care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although most hospitals can help you in the midst of a variety of medical problems, they\u2019re not typically prepared for dental emergencies. In fact, most don\u2019t even have a dentist on staff. While some hospitals may be able to extract an infected tooth, this procedure would be done by a doctor, not a dentist, and they may not be properly qualified to determine if your tooth can be saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most emergency rooms can prescribe pain medications to help in the throes of a toothache, however they will likely refer you to the nearest emergency dentist for proper treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faster Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you may think it will be quicker to just go straight to the emergency room in a dental crisis, it could end up wasting valuable time if they turn you away. Thus, it\u2019s better to head directly to your emergency dentist, as they can likely treat you right there in the office at the time you arrive, or book you for a treatment soon thereafter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, visiting the emergency dentist first can save you both time and possibly even your tooth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personalized Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Unlike the emergency room, your dentist already knows your oral health history. This will make it easier for you to get immediate care. Better yet, if you require any follow-up visits after your emergency, you can still be seen by the same practitioner without having to provide a full history again. They can also keep an eye on the situation going forward and ensure that your treatment is still effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that you know to head straight to your dentist for a dental emergency, here\u2019s how to tell when you\u2019re having one. If any of the following occurs, reach out as soon as possible for urgent attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n