Routine dental services are generally available at most practices during normal office hours but getting an appointment when you need it can often be tough. When faced with such difficulties, it is tempting to seek help from an emergency dentist. Before you do so, however, you need to be certain whether or not your condition actually requires urgent attention. Making sure that you understand the difference is likely to save you both time and disappointment.
While you might well prefer that a particular dental problem be treated without delay, this does not automatically mean that your condition is sufficiently serious to justify the attention of an emergency dentist, especially at a time outside of normal consulting hours. So, if your problem is a mild toothache, a lost filling, a broken crown, or a damaged dental prosthesis, even though you might feel such problems need urgent attention, in each case, the necessary treatment is a matter of routine and can, therefore, be safely deferred until the next available appointment. The situations that are likely to require more immediate attention are those involving intense pain, the immediate risk of tooth loss, or uncontrolled bleeding. Typically, these are the result of traumatic injury, thus any of these symptoms would warrant a visit to an emergency dentist without delay.
Getting the help you need, even when it is required urgently, is not always a simple matter. The obvious starting point would be to contact your normal surgery but, if you call after hours, you may well be greeted by an automatic message. It might also be helpful to check the website, as it might list an after-hours number for emergencies. If this also fails to be of help, your only remaining option may be to take a trip to the A&E department of your nearest hospital, where it may be possible to summon an emergency dentist. After receiving such treatment, you will probably be advised to report to your usual dental surgery for any follow-up treatment or monitoring that may be considered necessary.
While you are awaiting a call-back, there are some things you could do in the interim. A cold compress on your cheek can reduce swelling while rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can be a good way to help curb pain while a loose tooth can be held in place with a piece of moist gauze.
Intercare Dental Centres have a full range of routine and specialised dental services including orthodontics, periodontology and dental implants, whether urgent or not. Bookings for medical and dental appointments can be made online via the Intercare website.
