{"id":261,"date":"2022-05-05T02:17:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T02:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spirosaatidmd.com\/blog\/?p=261"},"modified":"2022-06-20T02:17:28","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T02:17:28","slug":"dental-emergency-skip-the-hospital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spirosaatidmd.com\/blog\/2022\/05\/05\/dental-emergency-skip-the-hospital\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Go to the ER for a Dental Emergency?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WomanNo one ever expects to experience a dental emergency, but 1 in 6 Americans are in this situation annually. Dental emergencies often occur without any warning, but don\u2019t panic. Whether you have a toothache, a broken tooth, or another issue, your smile relies on getting treatment quickly. Although instinct may tell you to head to the closest hospital, that may not be the best move. Instead, here\u2019s why it is better to call your emergency dentist<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Emergency Department VS Dentist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hospitals provide a variety of emergency services, but they don\u2019t have dentists on staff. They aren\u2019t equipped to diagnose or treat oral health issues. At most, they can prescribe pain relievers or antibiotics, but they can\u2019t address the source of the emergency. Unless you have a medical issue that requires attention, it\u2019s best to give your dentist a call. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re unsure whether you should head to the hospital or the dentist, don\u2019t hesitate to contact your dental office. After learning more about the problem, they can instruct you on what to do next. Depending on the situation, they may tell you to come into the office right away, like for a knocked-out tooth or abscess. Minor issues can wait until the next availability, in some cases, like a lost restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing Dental Emergencies at Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As with any emergency, a fast response time is crucial to a positive outcome. Besides seeing your dentist quickly, you can take several steps at home to provide first aid for common oral health emergencies, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n