A serious dental emergency can be extremely painful and difficult to deal with. It can be hard to make the right decision about your treatment when you’re in pain, but it’s important to get help from Smillie Dental as soon as possible and take the right steps to save your tooth.
Here are a few common mistakes to try to avoid when experiencing a dental emergency:
Don’t Wait To Get Help From A Dentist
The very first thing you should do when you notice your emergency is to call Dr. Smillie and schedule a same-day appointment at Smillie Dental. You should always get treatment for your dental issue right away.
Getting immediate care is the best way to save your tooth and avoid potential complications that may require you to get more extensive restorative treatment down the road. By seeing us as soon as possible, you can save time and money, and get relief from pain.
Don’t Try To Treat Your Pain And Discomfort Yourself
It’s okay to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or naproxen (Advil) to treat the pain of a damaged tooth or a toothache. Topical pain relievers like Orajel can also be helpful.
However, masking your pain is not treating the underlying issue! Tooth pain is always a sign of something deeper. Simply taking over-the-counter medication may cover up some of your pain, but it is not a permanent solution. You need to get help from a dentist like Dr. Smillie to treat the source of your pain and discomfort.
Don’t Assume Your Condition Doesn’t Count As An Emergency
An oral injury like a knocked-out tooth, a cracked or chipped tooth, or damage to your lips and tongue obviously counts as a dental emergency. However, not all other emergencies are so obvious. A pulled-out or damaged filling or dental crown, for example, qualifies as a dental emergency. The same is true of a serious toothache, and even advanced cases of periodontal disease.
If your condition is causing you serious pain, discomfort, and bleeding, and you can’t treat it on your own, it’s considered an emergency. Contact us for a same day appointment immediately to get treatment.
Don’t Go To The Emergency Room (But Use Your Best Judgment)
As a rule, the emergency room is not where you want to go for emergency dental treatment. Most ERs do not have emergency dentists on staff, so they may simply refer you to a nearby dentist.
There are some obvious exceptions, however. If you believe that your life is at risk, you should go to the emergency room. This can include injuries and issues such as:
- A serious traumatic head injury that may have resulted in a concussion
- A broken or damaged jaw
- Serious bleeding that will not stop, even after several hours
- Swelling or inflammation that is interfering with your ability to breathe or swallow
For other, less serious issues, you are better off coming to an emergency dentist, such as Dr. Smillie of Smillie Dental.
Be Prepared For A Dental Emergency – And Know What To Do!
Dental emergencies never happen on your schedule, and it can be hard to know what you should and shouldn’t do. Keep these tips in mind if you ever experience a dental emergency.
Need help with a dental emergency in Port Orange? Contact us at (386) 317-4754 to let us know that you’re coming in for an emergency appointment, or walk into our office at 5537 South Williamson Blvd, #675, Port Orange, Florida 32128. We’ll treat you as soon as we can.
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