If you have ever found yourself dealing with a dental emergency, you know just how stressful they can be. When you are in a lot of pain and aren’t sure what to do, taking the next steps can be a challenge. Seeing an emergency dentist is crucial in order to restore your smile to health, but how do you choose one? Continue reading to learn how to find and emergency dentist as well as some traits that you should look for when choosing one.
How Do You Find an Emergency Dentist?
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, one of your first steps should be to give your dentist a call. Most dentists set aside time for their emergency patients during their normal hours, so you may be able to get in right away. If your dental emergency happens at a time outside of regular business hours, you should still try to give them a call. Their voicemail may offer instructions for you to follow. This may include a phone number for an emergency dentist who is on-call in the area.
If you cannot find an emergency dentist but you have an urgent dental emergency, head to your local emergency room. They may not be able to get to the root of the problem because most of them do not have the equipment or medical professionals to deal with dental emergencies, but they do have the ability to provide you with antibiotics or pain relievers if you are in need of them. Ultimately, they may be able to help until you can get to an emergency dentist.
What Should You Look for When You Choose a Dentist?
Here are a few things that you should look for when you choose an emergency dentist:
- Location: You don’t want to be traveling all of the way across town when you have an emergency. You should choose one nearby.
- Hours: If a dentist is only open two days a week, they probably aren’t your best bet when it comes to getting immediate dental attention.
- Dental Insurance: Look for a dentist that accepts your insurance plan. If you don’t have dental insurance, look for one that has other financial options as well.
- Professional Associations: When dentists are involved with professional organizations, they are often held to an even higher standard than usual. You want to see a dentist that you can trust.
Dental emergencies are never fun, but with the help of an experience emergency dentist, you will have relief in no time!
About the Author
Dr. Dennis J. Horvath is an experienced dentist who has been practicing for 38 years. He earned his dental doctorate from the Ohio State University and is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Ohio Dental Association, and Northeastern Ohio Dental Society. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, he would be happy to help you get some relief. For more information or to schedule an appointment at his office in Painesville, visit his website or call (440) 354-2183.