In a dental emergency, every second can count, so you don’t want to waste time wondering which path you should take to get care. To help you make the right decision, our dentist in Beaufort, SC, offers some guidelines on when to see an emergency dentist and when to go to the ER.
What Emergencies Can a Dentist Handle?
A lot of patients don’t realize just how much an emergency dentist can do for them. Our dentist has specialized training, and Gower Family Dentistry’s office has equipment to handle a wide range of emergencies. Dentists are also specialists with a deep understanding of dental anatomy, which means more targeted treatment for your specific issue.
You can reach out for same-day care if you experience:
- Intense tooth pain that indicates infection
- Cracked or damaged teeth
- Knocked out or loose teeth
- Loose crown or filling
- Some oral or facial injuries
It’s important not to wait to address these problems, as the faster you act, the more likely it is we can save your natural teeth or avoid more aggressive treatments. For instance, even if your tooth is knocked out or cracked into pieces, we can potentially reimplant them if you see us right away.
When in doubt, you can call our office. Not only can we fit you in for emergency care, but we also give you instructions on how to care for your condition until we see you.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
You should go to the emergency room if you have or suspect you have:
- Broken facial bones or jaw
- Severe bleeding that won’t stop
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Other injuries in addition to dental issues
These situations can pose a serious risk to your health, so seeking care at an ER should be your first step. Remember that we said dentists are specialists, whereas the ER can assess your full body. In some cases, you should focus on taking care of your overall health before moving onto specialized care for your teeth.
Healthcare professionals at the ER can treat the most severe aspects of your condition first, and then you can follow up with a visit to our dentist in Beaufort, South Carolina.
Emergency Dentist vs. Regular Dentist
Standard dental care is focused on prevention and addressing issues as they arise. For instance, you might come in for a check-up, discover you have a cavity, and get a filling. By contrast emergency dentists can handle more traumatic situations or sudden issues. Think of general practice dentists as akin to your family doctor.
That said, many general dentistry practices offer emergency dentistry services as well. Gower Family Dentistry is one of them. This allows us to treat you in any situation, whether it’s coming in for regular cleanings or visiting us with a sudden problem.
Don’t Wait to Get Emergency Care in Beaufort, SC
If you experience a dental emergency in South Carolina, you can check with our dentist in Beaufort about next steps. We may advise you to go to the ER or schedule you to come in the same day for emergency dental care, but either way, we can help you act quickly to save your teeth and your health.
