When your tooth is in severe pain, your first thought might be to call your general doctor, go to the hospital or visit one of the local urgent care centers in your neighborhood. While this may make sense at first, many people don’t realize that a dentist is far more equipped to manage dental emergencies than anyone else. Not only does an emergency dentist in Covina have the expertise to do so, but they also have the tools necessary to get you out of discomfort and actually address your dental issue the same day that it occurs.
Why an Urgent Care Clinic is Unlikely to Help
Urgent care centers (as well as hospitals) are more inclined to handle medical emergencies that are not necessarily tied to your mouth or teeth. Your toothache, broken or fractured tooth, or damaged restoration is unlikely to be handled properly by someone who is more used to medical injuries, such as broken bones or severe wounds.
Furthermore, dental emergencies are unlikely to be covered by insurance when you visit a hospital or urgent care clinic, which means you’ll left to pick up the bill when all is said and done, even if they didn’t fully address your emergency. The fact is many of these locations do not keep dentists onsite, which means they may not even be qualified to treat your dental issue. Instead, they may just give you painkillers or apply a cold compress to reduce pain, two things you could have done on your own prior to visiting your dentist.
With that said, an emergency room or urgent care clinic may be more appropriate to visit if you are experiencing severe oral bleeding or have a broken jaw.
How Dentists Can Resolve Your Emergency
When you visit an emergency dentist for care, you can expect:
- Service from a professional trained in managing dental emergencies
- The right tools and advanced technology to address your emergency, whether it’s a broken or damaged tooth, tooth pain, or a lost restoration
- The chance to save a lot more money on care compared to hospitals and urgent care centers
- A professional you can follow-up with to confirm that your issue is improving
- A welcoming dentist providing care in a relaxing office environment
What Should You Do First in a Dental Emergency?
During a dental emergency, the first thing you should be doing is giving the dentist a call. Not only can you schedule an appointment as soon as possible, but you can get helpful first-aid advice from the dentist’s team to improve your situation before you arrive at the practice.
Whether you have a toothache that just won’t go away, your tooth is broken as a result of a physical injury, your tooth is knocked out of its socket, or you simply need to have a restoration replaced, you can count on an emergency dentist to help you over an urgent care clinic or hospital.
About the Author
Dr. Danny Tran is more than prepared to manage your dental emergency if it occurs. Thanks to his convenient office hours and advanced dental technology, he can confirm the exact cause of your dental emergency and get you out of discomfort as soon as possible, so you can continue living your life without concern. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, don’t wait to contact him through his website.