Why You Should Avoid the ER for Emergency Dental Care

Why You Should Avoid the ER for Emergency Dental Care from Johns Creek Dentistry in Johns Creek, GAPatients who are dealing with severe dental issues may think they should go to the ER for emergency dental care. This, however, is often ill-advised, as it may not be helpful in providing the proper treatments needed and can result in other problems arising.

Why emergency dental care isn’t a job for the emergency room

The following are a couple of reasons why patients should not go to an emergency room to try to receive dental care.

1. Limited treatment options

Emergency room doctors are often unable to provide much help for patients who are in need of emergency dental care. A dentist is the only professional who has the training to perform procedures such as pulling teeth or filling cavities. It is highly unlikely for an emergency room to have a dentist available on call. ER physicians are only able to prescribe painkillers to temporarily numb the pain and antibiotics to treat any infection that may be present. Neither of these solutions are a permanent fix to an emergent issue.

2. Astronomical costs

Many patients are unable to afford insurance and therefore cannot go to the dentist for routine cleanings and exams. This can result in those with issues such as pain, abscesses, severe toothaches and bleeding gums to ignore the problem and forego immediate dental care until it eventually becomes a serious and unbearable emergency. A visit to the emergency room is extraordinarily costly and typically results in a large bill and a referral to a dentist for treatment. A dental visit would typically cost less than a visit to an ER and allow for more targeted treatment of the problem.

How to avoid the need for emergency care

There are a few simple solutions for patients to follow to avoid emergency dental issues. Patients should practice proper dental hygiene procedures, such as brushing and flossing teeth twice a day, to preclude any complications from arising. Preventative care is also important; regular exams can catch dental problems quickly to stop them from turning into emergencies.

Patients should never ignore any pain. It is the body’s way of saying something is wrong, and ignoring such an issue can cause additional problems and more pain in the future. Those who are experiencing tooth or gum pain should contact a dentist as soon as possible. Waiting for too long can result in further issues that are likely to require more involved treatments.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Emergency Dental Care in Johns Creek, GA.

Conclusion

For many oral-health related issues, going to an emergency room for dental care is not advisable. Due to issues such as high costs and limited treatment options, patients needing emergency dental care should instead schedule a visit with a dentist as soon as possible. It is also important for patients to avoid the need for emergency care by practicing proper oral hygiene as well as scheduling routine exams. Preventative care can help avoid a lot of pain and dental issues as well as save a considerable amount of time and money.

Request an appointment or call Johns Creek Dentistry at 770-623-1427 for an appointment in our Johns Creek office.

Recent Posts

When A Toothache May Be A Dental Emergency

When it comes to a toothache, you will need to decide the type of dental service required. Sometimes, that means scheduling an appointment with your dentist at your earliest convenience. Other times, it indicates that you need to seek emergency care. To help you make the right decision, find out why constitutes a dental emergency.Unfortunately,…

Restorative Options For A Chipped Tooth

Ending up with a chipped tooth is common. Sports injuries, fights, falls, accidents, and biting hard foods often cause this type of dental damage. Chipping of the front tooth can be annoying and embarrassing at the same time. Restoring the tooth can help bring back your self-image. If you want to find out the available…

Four Fixes Your General Dentist Will Recommend For A Chipped Tooth

A chipped tooth may seem minor, but it can actually lead to serious complications if it goes untreated. One's oral health can be at risk, as a chip in a tooth can result in excess food getting stuck, causing bacterial buildup. Additionally, a chipped tooth may have sharp edges that can put the soft tissues…

Why You Should See An Emergency Dentistry Office To Treat A Cracked Tooth

Emergency dentistry treatments can treat your cracked tooth. This type of dental damage can be painful and often debilitating, especially if the crack reaches the deeper parts of the tooth. Treating this dental damage can stop the discomfort. If you want to find out how emergency dentistry can help your cracked tooth, here are the…

Recent Posts

Why You Should See An Emergency Dentistry Office To Treat A Cracked Tooth

Why You Should See An Emergency Dentistry Office To Treat A Cracked Tooth

Emergency dentistry treatments can treat your cracked tooth. This type of dental damage can be painful and often debilitating, especially if the crack reaches the deeper parts of the tooth. Treating this dental damage can stop the discomfort. If you want to find out how emergency dentistry can help your cracked tooth, here are the…

How An Emergency Dentistry Office Treats Tooth Infections

How An Emergency Dentistry Office Treats Tooth Infections

You might need emergency dentistry if you have a tooth infection. Emergency dentistry can help relieve the pain and discomfort associated with tooth infections. Emergency dentistry can also help to prevent the spread of tooth infections.Tooth infections occur when there is an infection in the tooth's pulp. The pulp is the soft tissue that contains…