A dental emergency can turn the best day into a complete disaster. Whether it’s a physical injury during sports, a fall, or even biting down on a hard popcorn kernel, dental emergencies are painful. But when should you visit the ER versus your emergency dentist in DeSoto? Keep reading to learn what to do in the event of a dental emergency to keep you and your family’s smiles healthy and safe.
When You Should Visit the ER
Head to the nearest emergency room if you’ve experienced trauma or injury to the face or mouth, including:
- Jaw fractures or dislocations
- Severe cuts to the face or mouth
- Abscess or infection that affects your breathing
- Bleeding that won’t subside after 10 minutes
These situations are life threatening, which is why they require immediate attention. Should one of these problems occur, visit the emergency room as soon as possible.
When You Should See Your Dentist
See your dentist for dental injuries that aren’t life threatening. However, it’s better to go see your dentist if you’re dealing with a non-life-threatening dental injury like:
- A knocked-out tooth
- Cracked teeth
- Toothache
- Lost crown or filling
- Abscess that doesn’t affect breathing
If you have a toothache or abscess, chances are it was caused by poor dental hygiene over time. While this is a painful emergency, your dentist can handle it as long as it isn’t affecting the way you breathe.
Steps You Can Take in the Meantime
If you experience a non-life-threatening dental emergency, your first step is to call your dentist. Until then, you can follow these steps to minimize your pain and keep your smile safe:
- Place a cold compress on the outside of the affected area to numb pain.
- If there is bleeding, apply gauze to promote clotting.
- If you lose a filling or crown, place dental cement or even sugarless gum on top to protect the inner, more sensitive part of your tooth.
- For a knocked-out tooth, pick it up, rinse it off, and keep it in milk or water. The sooner you can visit your dentist’s office, the better the chances are of successfully replanting it.
Benefits of Seeing an Emergency Dentist
In most cases of dental emergency, your dentist is the best place to visit. Your dentist not only knows your smile better, but they also are experienced in getting patients out of dental pain as quickly as possible. You may even find a dentist open on Saturday. Plus, your dentist is probably more affordable than the ER and may even accept your insurance. Additionally, most practices are happy to accommodate emergency patients so they don’t have to wait in pain.
Dental emergencies can be detrimental to your smile, but not if you know the proper next steps. Keep this information in mind for future potential dental disasters.
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Suzanne Najjar is known for her gentle and friendly care, making her a perfect emergency dentist. She is even open on some Saturdays and can usually see patients on the same day of an emergency. She is experienced in providing patients with quick relief and accepts almost all forms of insurance. For any questions, she can be reached through her website or by phone at (972) 230-1100.