Would you know what to do if you knocked out a permanent tooth or woke up with an intense toothache? Not only are these common dental emergencies painful and overwhelming, but they can lead to permanent damage and serious complications if not treated right away. That’s why it’s so important to know where to turn before you or a loved one needs urgent dental care. Read on to find out when you should visit your dentist for your dental emergency in Baytown instead of going straight to your local ER.

What counts as a dental emergency?

Typically, if you are experiencing a painful, damaged, or knocked-out tooth, you need urgent dental care. If these issues aren’t addressed soon, they can potentially lead to tooth loss, jawbone damage, and serious infection. In situations where you’re unsure if you’re having a dental emergency or if you’ve developed new, worrying dental symptoms, don’t hesitate to call your Baytown emergency dentist anyways. They’ll assess your situation over the phone, schedule your appointment accordingly, and give you first aid instructions over the phone.

Benefits of visiting an emergency dentist for urgent dental care

Some of the most important benefits of visiting an emergency dentist for urgent dental care instead of the ER include:

  • Less waiting time: ERs operate on a triage system to ensure the most critical situations are addressed first. Unfortunately, this means you may be waiting to see a doctor for a very long time. On the other hand, your dentist will be treating far fewer patients, and therefore will likely be able to address your emergency much sooner.
  • Specialized dental care: Only a dentist is trained to provide dentistry. Many ERs may not have an on-site dentist who can perform emergency tooth extractions, root canals, or crown placements. When you visit your Baytown emergency dentist, they’ll be able to provide the specialized dental care needed to get you out of pain fast.
  • Save money and hassle in the long run: Even after waiting at the ER and paying for emergency treatment, you’ll probably still have to visit your dentist afterward to address the underlying issue. Save yourself the time, money, and hassle by taking your dental emergency to a dentist first.

When to go to the er for dental symptoms

However, there certainly are situations that need to be stabilized at an emergency room first. Your dentist will be happy to repair your smile after you visit the ER for problems like:

  • Dislocated or broken jaw.
  • Bleeding in the mouth that hasn’t stopped for 10 minutes.
  • Swelling in the face, neck, or jaw that’s making it difficult to swallow or breathe. Knowing where to go for a dental emergency can help you act quickly and correctly in the moment, as well as give you peace of mind in the meantime.

About the dentist

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, we strive to treat Baytown dental emergencies as quickly, comfortably, and efficiently as possible. Dr. Dean Hutto has nearly 30 years of experience caring for hurting smiles and has completed extensive advanced training at prestigious organizations like the Seattle Institute, The Dawson Institute for Learning, and the Hornbrook Group. He provides a wide range of services alongside sedation dentistry options to help you overcome whatever oral health issue you’re facing. To learn more, feel free to contact him via his website or call at (281) 843-1708.