The Truth About Dental Emergencies from Dentist’s Point of View

A dental emergency can occur at any time of the day or night. Independent of the nature of the emergency, whether it’s a tooth or gum injury you should not ignored it at all cost. By ignoring, you would be risking permanent dental damage or allow for more damage later on which would require extensive and expensive treatment.

Most emergency calls come in when heading home on a Friday night with the caller having broken a tooth, doesn’t have enough money to afford fixing his tooth. Most callers hope that you are going to prescribe them some medication to get them through the weekend. While most dentists find such emergency callers as inconveniencing, the truth of the matter is that they offer one of the best opportunities in the field of dentistry. This is because most of them have neglected their dental health for so long that they would require extensive restorative work.

If you can get to assist such a patient by giving them great medical care such that they are going to forget all the reasons they have to avoid a dentist. If you properly utilize such a chance, you will forever turn the patient’s perception about dentistry and in turn get a loyal patient forever. In addition, the patient is going to be making production for you from the start. It is important that you provide great dental care to your emergency patients so that they realize that dentistry has a value in their life.

In an emergency case like the one above, inform the patient that you will not prescribe any painkillers until you’ve seen them, and would preferably want to see them that night. By doing this, you will get a chance to explain to them more about dentistry hence creating a loyal client.

The truth is always that emergency patients are a crucial part of the business and you don’t want to miss them out. Forward all emergency calls to a cellphone each weekend and nights and rotate the phone among your staff members. Have a plan on how emergency calls will be handled. Never close your doors to any emergency patient.

Solving Dental Problems On The Weekend

As a dentist, I know that a lot of the time people have problems when my offices are not open. There are just too many things that people don’t get taken care of when they should. I also have people contact me on the weekend when they get into accidents. Here are some tips I can give to people so they can avoid or take care or problems.

One thing that I see all the time are people that have accidents where they chip or break a tooth completely. This can be painful because it can harm the nerve and if you’re in a bad accident you can even expose that nerve and it is very hard for people to deal with this kind of pain. I suggest that if this happens to someone, they get to a dental professional right away, even on an emergency basis if they want the tooth to be saved.

I’ve also had to talk with patients and come to the office and call in some prescriptions for infections on the weekend for some people. There are a lot of times when you cannot just let an infection go because if it gets bad and spreads to the blood stream, you could face a very bad situation. I’ve been able to get people through the weekend, but if it’s really bad I will help them to get in to see an emergency specialist so their health is not at risk.

There are so many things that your teeth can have gone wrong with them, or your oral health can have problems in general. I recommend that everyone has a dentist they can turn to in case of emergencies. I don’t like to see anyone in pain, but I do understand that these things cannot be helped at all times.

Facial Swelling and Dental Emergencies

facial swelling from a dental abscess gum infectionThere are several things which can constitute a medical emergency, including pain, oozing sores and swelling. In some instances, all of these may occur; in others only one of these symptoms may be present. If a tooth or the gum around it is not in significant pain, some of our patients make the mistake of thinking that it is fine. However, if the area is swollen, you need to contact our office immediately.

Swelling is a sign of something being seriously wrong. Our patients need and deserve to have a correct diagnosis as soon as possible. In some instances, it may even save the life of a person. This is because swelling often accompanies some form of infection.

While infections anywhere in the body are serious and need to be addressed by a medical professional quickly, when it occurs in the head, the situation becomes more critical. This is because if the infection gets into the blood it can rapidly reach the brain. Patients can suffer a great deal of harm to this vital organ if this occurs, including but not limited to an unexpected and rapid decline leading to loss of life.

Besides a serious infection that can spread quickly, there are other types of infection and irritation that can cause swelling of the face. Viral infections like herpes usually have accompanying pain but not always. The transmittable disease syphilis can cause red swelling that is not painful. Likewise, patients may have some other form of infection, including those caused by fungi and bacteria.

At times, we see patients who have swelling after experiencing some type of injury. Whether it is related to sports or just a simple fall at home, this situation should be checked out by one of our staff. It is not uncommon for people to think the swelling and pain will subside when there is actually something more serious going on. For instance, there may be a chip of tooth embedded in the gum. When patients get to us quickly, we have more options to reduce the pain/swelling and possibly save a broken tooth.

These are just some of the types of emergencies that we treat when patients have facial swelling. Having a proper diagnosis as quickly as possible is imperative to successful treatment. If you are experiencing swelling, with or without pain, call our office today so we can help you.

When To See A Dentist For Swollen Gums

A woman with tooth pain from swollen gumsIf you are suffering from painful, swollen gums you know that something is not right in your mouth, but whether or not you need to seek the attention of a dentist immediately can be confusing. One clear situation in which you definitely need emergency treatment is if the swollen area contains an abscess.

An abscess is a fluid filled pocket, much like a blister, except that it is in your mouth. This is particularly concerning, however, because it is likely to be infected. An infection of the mouth, if left untreated, can actually be life threatening due to the speed in which it can spread into the blood. You should seek treatment by a dentist as soon as you notice this type of condition.

Another time that you should seek the help of a dentist is if your swollen and painful gums are a result of a broken or chipped tooth. As you read above, the reason that your gums are swollen could be due to a serious infection. When your teeth suffer trauma it makes it easier for germs to invade areas that were once protected. A dentist can fix the problem as well as clean your mouth so that the infection is stopped before it becomes worse.

Other situations in which you should seek immediate emergency dental care are when there are additional symptoms to the swelling of gums. Extreme swelling or pain are a sign that something serious is occurring. You should also go in if you have a fever, or just do not feel well. It is a sign that there is infection. Finally, if the swelling is causing your tooth to feel loose, you definitely need to get to a dentist as soon as you can.

These are the most common signs that you need the help of a dentist in order for the condition to be remedied. Many times people hope that the problem will go away for it to just get worse. The sooner that you get the right care, the better off you will be in the long run. There really is no reason to suffer for longer than you have to, and in some cases you may be even putting your life at risk.

If you experience any of the symptoms above, or are merely concerned that something is not right, you should see a dentist immediately.

3 Steps To Go Through When You Have A Dental Emergency

If you live in the Milwaukee area and you are experiencing a painful dental emergency then you need to follow these three steps to ensure that you get your situation taken care of correctly.

Step 1: Getting The Pain To Stop

You may not have access to our Milwaukee emergency dental services right away, but you can do something to make the pain stop. Try some over the counter pain medications, and then use clove oil on the area. That, or try one of the numbing agents that are sold at the store. Know that this will only help a little, and getting the emergency cared for quickly will allow for you to be out of pain as soon as possible.

2. Give Our Milwaukee Dental Office A Call

You have to let us know that you’re looking to get help with your emergency as soon as you can so that you are able to get in to see one of our professionals. The key is to not worry about what time it is and find a way to use our contact information to get into touch with someone or at least leave a message. We know how much dental pain hurts, and so we are going to be able to get you in to get help quickly. Remember, the longer you wait the worse the problem will probably get.

3. Follow Instructions Before And After Your Appointment

When you work with us to set up an appointment just ask about what to do while you wait for it. We will let you know what you can take and how long you should probably refrain from things before you go in to get help from us. Make very sure that after your procedure, you listen to the rules we have on what you can eat and whether or not you can do things like smoke. For instance, if you get a tooth pulled and smoke immediately afterwards you may get a dry socket which will be painful and lead to the healing taking a longer time.

What Can Be Done When a Toothache Occurs At Night Or On the Weekend?

A woman with a bad toothacheIf you get a toothache on the weekend or at night in the Milwaukee area, or any other day a dentist’s office is closed, there are options for you. When you are able to figure out what you can do, it will help you feel more at ease because it’s easier to get something done about a problem right away.

The first thing to do is figure out if you can get a hold of your dentist on an emergency basis. Call your dentist’s office and even if they’re closed see if they have some kind of a message on the answering machine to let you know who to call if there’s a problem. If that doesn’t work, then you can try to contact an emergency dental center if there is one in your area. Sometimes it may just not work out to where there are any dentists available, and if that’s the case there is still hope.

Get to the hospital if you have an infection or think you may and you cannot find any other way to get help. Before doing this, since it may be expensive to pay for, try some over the counter remedies. First get some clove oil and see if you can rub that on the area to numb the pain. They also make numbing agents and OTC pain medications. If all else fails the hospital can at least get you through the weekend and if there’s an infection get you started on antibiotics.

Learning this advice is a must if you’re going to want to get help with a toothache on a weekend or holiday. This can be a pain to deal with, but it’s much better than suffering. Keep this advice handy just in case something comes up on an emergency basis.

What To Do If You Have A Toothache On A Weekend

facialswellingYou should seek emergency dental care immediately if you suffer from a serious toothache. What should you do if you experience a toothache during a weekend?

You should actively look for an emergency dentist in your area. Use the Internet to find dentists within driving distance and call them to explain that you are in need of emergency dental care on the weekend. If you cannot find anyone in your area, ask someone to drive you to the nearest dentist you can find.

Take care of your toothache by applying cold compresses to the area. You can also take aspirin or ibuprofen to make the pain go away. You should not apply aspiring to your gums. This could cause severe burn to your gums and make the pain worse.

Do not take any other pain medications. Over the counter remedies such as aspirin or ibuprofen can help but any pain medication that requires a prescription might not be adapted to your needs. If you are in severe pain, the best thing to do is call your doctor to see if they can prescribe anything to help.

Your priority should be to find a dentist who can treat the toothache. Toothaches can be caused by infections, which can quickly spread to other teeth and even other parts of the body. Don’t hesitate to drive to the nearest emergency dentist you can find instead of waiting for your usual dentist to resume business on Monday.

Toothaches can be easily prevented by adopting a good dental hygiene. You should also schedule at least two dentist appointments a year to have your teeth cleaned and inspected. This should help prevent many dental conditions. Remember that your priority should be to find a dentist who can help you if you find yourself facing a dental health emergency.

Two Tips To Keep In Mind If You Have A Dental Emergency

Dental emergencies tend to bring out the worst in us. After all, nothing brings about a worry like something wrong happening your mouth. But if you do have a dental emergency, you want to make sure that you follow our two tips below to make sure you get through it relatively unscathed.

Tip 1: Don’t Panic

We know, it’s easier said than done. But if you’re panicking, then you’re probably just making the situation even worse. Keeping calm, however, means that you’re bale to think rationally, which may save your teeth or even your life. It will also help you call for an emergency service and relay the information that you need to keep in mind.

If it’s an infection that you’re dealing with, then you need to really keep calm. Pumping up your adrenaline makes your blood flow faster, which can make an infection even worse. This is especially important if you live alone.

Tip 2: Keep A Handy List Of Services And Treatments Available

It’s good to have a list of the emergency services that you can call ahead of time. It’s also good to keep a list of common remedies and treatments that you can use to buy you some time until you can see a doctor. This will help relieve your initial panic while also giving you some direction. It’s better to have to deal with something yourself in the meantime than not know what to do at all and subsequently panicking.

Dental emergencies tend to cause panic and even some delusion on our parts. But by staying calm and keeping a list of who to call and what to do, you’ll be well prepared for an unfortunate event. Hopefully you won’t need to worry about it at all, but it’s always good to be on the safe side.

Here’s a quick video which will show you how to make a temporary filling for a painful toothache…however, you best option is to call for an emergency dental care in Milwaukee as soon as possible.

How Long Should You Wait Before Seeing The Emergency Dentist?

If it’s a true emergency, you shouldn’t wait at all. You should go right away to the emergency dentist and be in their waiting room. If the situation escalates they can get to you right away. I know they might not be able to see you right away, but it’s a lot better to be in their company just in case something goes wrong.

Perhaps you have a tooth that’s dangling but hasn’t been knocked all the way out? What if that tooth were to fall out? If you were in a dentist office they’d know exactly how to handle the wound and the situation.

You might also need antibiotics which is something a dentist can supply you with if there is an open wound because of your mouth injury. If you need emergency repairs that are going to prevent an infection, you need to see the dentist right away.

If it doesn’t require immediate attention, you need to look elsewhere for the treatment. Your regular dentist office will be able to handle just about anything you through at him. He might not be open on Sundays, and will probably close shop around five. That’s why we have emergency dentist, but the truth is, most cases can wait for the regular guy.

An emergency dentist might not be able to work with your insurance or medicare. That’s just another reason to only go to an emergency dentist when you actually need too. Some do take dental insurance, but if I were you, I’d expect to pay quite a bit for emergency care.

I hope you find a solution for your dental problem. If it’s an emergency, like a real emergency, then you do need medical attention right away. I know you’ll love getting help from the professionals that stand by waiting to care for your teeth any time of the day.

Looking for an emergency dentist in Waukesha?  Call us today!

What Should You Do If a Dental Emergency Strikes?

Man's Face With An Open Toothless MouthA dental emergency can be both terrifying and painful. You may feel helpless, especially if your emergency occurs on a weekend. It’s important that everyone knows what they should so if an emergency like this does occur. When you’re in pain, you may not be able to think clearly.

If possible, the first thing you should do is call your dentist. Explain the severity of the situation to them. If they aren’t able to see you immediately, ask for a referral. Make sure they know that you’re in pain, and you need to be seen right away.

If you can’t see a dentist, you have a few other options. You can go see your regular doctor, who will be able to provide you with needed medications while you wait. You can also go to urgent care or the emergency room and get the same things.

It’s crucial that you don’t put off getting some kind of medical care. Leaving a dental problem untreated is incredibly dangerous, and can even be fatal. A damaged tooth can easily become infected, and that infection can spread to the rest of your body very quickly.

If you can’t afford the cost of dental care, don’t let that stop you. Instead, ask about options for low cost treatment or payment plans. In a worse case scenario, you could go to the ER and pay your bill later on. There are always options that will be available to you.

Do you know what to do if a dental emergency strikes? Now that you’ve read this article, the answer is yes. It’s important to take care of your teeth, but it’s equally important to be prepared for worst case scenarios. It’s always good to have solutions to bad situations in advance.