Blog

There are dental issues that require immediate attention, and then there are those that can wait. It’s important to know how to differentiate between the two, so you know the best type of care to seek in different circumstances. If it turns out to be an emergency, you could limit the damage to your teeth and avoid complications and expensive dental procedures.

Bleeding gums, a knocked-out tooth, pus formation, and severe pain are a few examples of dental problems that need same-day emergency dental care.

So, what kind of dental issues are not emergencies? Here are some examples:

Minor Toothache or Sensitivity

Tooth pain isn’t always severe. Many times, it’s mild pain that can be controlled with over-the-counter pain relievers. For pain that’s severe that you cannot eat or sleep with, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. However, mild pain and sensitivity can usually wait a day or two for treatment. If you are in doubt of whether your pain or sensitivity symptoms classify as a non-emergency, you can call your dentist’s office for advice.

Small Crack in Tooth

If you were chewing on ice cubes or maybe bit down hard on something, you may have cracked your tooth. As long as the crack is small and you feel no pain, you should be able to schedule dental treatment during business hours. If there is no bleeding and no tooth has dislodged, you may be able to wait a bit for treatment. However, if part of your tooth has come off, or you are experiencing bleeding or pain as a result of the cracked tooth, see a dentist as soon as possible.

Lost Dental Filling, Crown, or Dental Bridge

If you’ve lost a filling, crown, or dental bridge, call your dentist’s clinic immediately to ask if you need to seek emergency care. In most cases, it can be fixed by a dentist during regular business hours – as long as you aren’t experiencing bleeding, severe pain, or a lot of sensitivity.

Why You Shouldn’t Head to the Emergency Room for Dental Problems

It is rarely a good idea to visit the emergency room for a dental issue. Emergency room doctors are not qualified to fix dental issues and can only prescribe pain medication to control symptoms temporarily. In the end, you will have wasted several hours at the emergency room, gotten a hefty bill, and still have to go to a dentist for treatment. If you need emergency dental care, talk to a dentist who offers such services instead.

Emergency and Non-Emergency Dental Care in Plantation, Florida

The Dental Office of Dr. Ernie Soto values your oral health, which is why we make sure you have all the treatments you need to maintain optimal dental health. In case you run into a dental emergency and need immediate treatment, we offer emergency dental care, as well.

Our goal is to provide exceptional dental care that exceeds your expectations. If this sounds like the type of dental care you want, call us at (954) 368-6264 to make an appointment or send an appointment request.