I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
Have you ever experienced an excruciating toothache? The kind where you think it's of the utmost importance that you see the dentist immediately? You call the dentist office, only to find out the next appointment is a week or two out. You thought they would make an exception for you due to your pain. But a toothache isn't typically a dental emergency. So what does constitute a dental emergency?
Emergency to You, But Not to the Dentist
Quite a few dental issues can cause you a lot of pain. The truth is, no matter how much pain you find yourself in, it's very likely not a dental emergency. For example, it's not an emergency if you have
A dentist will have you schedule an appointment for these types of things. Each of these things can turn serious and become emergencies if you wait too long to have them checked. So, even if you cannot see a dentist immediately, you should still immediately schedule an appointment.
It's an Emergency When Time Is of the Essence
A true dental emergency occurs when you have a problem that requires an immediate solution. This usually happens due to injury. For example, an accident that causes you to lose or break a tooth needs immediate attention in order to save the tooth.
Some Dentists Do Consider Your Pain an Emergency
There are some emergency dentists out there. These types of dentists stay on-call for people that need more immediate help. They may operate after normal business hours, or during weekends. In addition, some non-emergency dentists also have extended hours for particular types of issues. However, you would still have to make an appointment.
All Dental Issues Require Immediate Action
You should always contact a dentist for any dental issues. Whether it's a scheduled appointment, or a dedicated emergency dentist, you should make the call sooner rather than later. If you have an issue that your dentist doesn't consider an emergency, there are many things you can do to mitigate the pain in the meantime.
For a toothache
For a lost filling or crown
For any other dental issues, contact your dentist. Even if the dentist's office cannot see you right away, you can receive more instruction on how to deal with your issue until your appointment.
It's true that virtually all dental issues constitute a personal emergency. After all, pain can render you completely unable to do anything else. Speak to your dentist, if it's a true emergency, the office will let you know. If you cannot wait, then contact a dedicated emergency dentist like Family First Dentistry LLC.
Share10 November 2016
