How to Find an Emergency Dentist Right Away

As great as it would be to never have a dental emergency, the unfortunate truth is that one in every six Americans will encounter one this year. When a dental emergency strikes, it can be difficult to know what to do. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and call your dentist for the prompt care you need. But if you’re not exactly sure who to call? If you need tips on how to find an emergency dentist quickly, then continue reading below!  

What Should You Look for in an Emergency Dentist?

Of course, it’s always ideal to have an emergency dentist selected ahead of time, but if you’re in pain, you’ll need to find a provider as soon as possible. Unless the dentist you have in mind is closed and doesn’t have an after-hours phone line, it’s preferable to see a dental professional rather than visit the emergency room. Most doctors at the ER don’t possess detailed knowledge of specific dental health conditions and may only be able to relieve your immediate discomfort. However, it’s better than nothing.

If your dental emergency occurs during normal business hours, here are some questions you should ask yourself as you browse the website of your prospective emergency dental practice:

• Do they offer same-day appointments for emergencies?
• Is the office located close to you?
• How experienced is the dentist?
• Will the practice accept your dental insurance?
• Do they offer additional financing options?

By finding out the answers to these questions, you’ll be able to determine whether a particular dental practice will be the right place to go when you’re dealing with an emergency.

How to Handle a Dental Emergency Until You Can See a Dentist

Whether you’re suffering from a nagging toothache or a severely broken tooth, it’s important to do your best to remain calm during a dental emergency. It may be difficult, but panicking will only increase your stress, which is the last thing you need.

If you can get in touch with the dental practice, a member of their team should be able to provide you with first-aid tips over the phone to stabilize your situation until your appointment. For example, they might tell you that if your tooth was knocked out, you should clean it, then carefully attempt to reposition it in the socket.

As long as you take the right steps when you recognize that you have a dental emergency, you can relieve your pain and reduce the chance of harm befalling your smile.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins provides same-day emergency dental appointments in Guilderland, NY at Oshins of Smiles. He also has over two decades of experience in the dental field and completes more than 100 hours of continuing education courses per year. If you need urgent dental care, Dr. Oshins’ team will work to get you seen and treated right away. You can contact his practice by calling 518-356-5635.