Your first reaction when needing urgent medical care of any type is to head straight to the emergency room at your local hospital. For most medical emergencies, that is best place to be. ERs are fast moving and can do what needs to be done to relieve your pain. For dental emergencies, however, you are better off calling your dentist to give you some relief. Especially because of COVID-19, many hospitals are being overwhelmed with cases, and you could be at higher risk of contracting or spreading the virus to others. Now more than ever, your emergency dentist would be happy to treat you for your urgent dental needs.
Why Shouldn’t I Go to The Emergency Room for Dental Emergencies?
During the time of COVID-19, there are a variety of reasons to avoid the emergency room if you are able to do so. Ultimately, a trip to the ER is an unnecessary step that could put yourself and others at risk. Here are a few reasons why you should avoid the ER for dental emergencies:
Overwhelmed hospital staff
As a result of the virus, many hospitals across the country are finding themselves overwhelmed with more patients than they are accustomed to. By avoiding the ER when you have an emergency that can be treated elsewhere, others who are requiring emergency hospital care related to COVID-19 or other ailments can receive the help they need at a faster pace. This keeps the hospital staff from becoming more overwhelmed than they already are.
Risk of transmission
The ER is a place people go when they are injured or sick, and unfortunately, many people have fallen ill with COVID-19 recently. Going to a place with so many sick people not only increases your risk of contracting the illness, but it increases the risk of you transmitting it to others. This is especially dangerous for people who are more susceptible to developing severe, life-threatening symptoms if they contract the virus.
Most dental offices are open for emergencies
Many dental practices closed their offices for a period of time for the safety of themselves and their patients. Even if your dental office has yet to open back up, they are likely still able to treat you for urgent dental care and emergencies. It doesn’t hurt to give your dentist a call.
What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?
Here are a few examples of dental emergencies that you should see your dentist about ASAP:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Extreme toothaches
- Oral bleeding
- Jaw injuries
- Lost crowns or fillings
- Knocked-out tooth
- Partially dislodged tooth
- Gum tissue injuries
Instead of rushing to the emergency room with severe tooth pain or a knocked-out tooth, call your emergency dentist. You will get the care you need without increasing the risk of infection for yourself or others during the pandemic. If you don’t know if it’s an emergency, give your dentist a call anyway. He or she can tell you the next step to take regarding your problem.
About the Practice
At Advanced Smile Design in Willow Grove, Dr. Patel and Dr. Isdaner are happy to treat the dental needs of you and your family. They share a passion for bettering people’s lives through oral healthcare. They guarantee that you will get the urgent care you need as soon as possible, including on the weekends and after hours. For more information, visit their website or call (215) 659-3334.
