Are you dealing with a dental emergency in Tampa? In this situation, many people ask, “What do I do if I need an emergency dentist?” You can reach out to your regular dentist, go to an urgent care center, or even drive to the emergency room.
Learn more about dental emergencies with the Westchase Smiles Institute team by calling 813-920-9144.
Immediate Steps If You Have a Dental Emergency
When you have a dental emergency – such as a tooth abscess – you naturally want to get help right away. You can call your dentist first and foremost. If the emergency occurred during normal business hours, your dentist may schedule you for an immediate appointment.
Are you asking, “What about if I need an emergency dentist in the middle of the night?” In this situation, you still have options. You can visit the ER or an urgent care clinic.
However, many ERs and urgent care clinics cannot provide dental care. They may give you something for the pain or antibiotics if they believe you have an infection. Medical professionals will likely advise you to contact a dentist for further treatment.
At-Home Steps During a Dental Emergency
You can take a number of steps at home to help with pain during a dental emergency. While you wait for an appointment, you can apply a cold compress to your jaw to:
- Lower swelling
- Numb some of the pain
- Reduce bleeding
You can also take over-the-counter medications to address your pain. Some patients dissolve salt in boiling water. After allowing the water to cool a little, you can rinse with the mixture to help with pain and swelling.
Dentists also recommend flossing if you feel pain close to a single tooth. You may have something stuck near the gum or beside the tooth. Removing the item may stop the pain. Dental professionals also advise rinsing with hydrogen peroxide to address oral irritation and to kill bacteria.
Finally, take a few extra steps if you lost a tooth in a dental emergency. Place your tooth (or teeth) in a glass of milk. Keep the tooth in the milk until you can visit a dentist. The dentist may be able to replace the tooth in the socket if you treat it properly in an emergency situation.
Move Quickly if You Need an Emergency Dentist
Have you asked yourself, “What do I do if I need an emergency dentist?” First and foremost, you can contact your regular dentist, or you can seek emergency dental service by Westchase Smiles Institute by calling 813-696-3634. Members of the team are on call to provide you with advice about the best way to handle your dental emergency.
