While most dental offices across the nation are only offering emergency dental care for the time being, you might be wondering, what actually requires immediate attention? At Palencia Dental, we want our patients to know that they can call us if they’re experiencing a dental emergency; even if you’re not sure if you need immediate treatment or not, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Our emergency dentist in St. Augustine is happy to help! To help you understand the difference between what we consider urgent vs non-urgent dental care, we’ve outlined their differences for you.
Urgent Dental Care
There are a few instances where you need to visit us ASAP! For example, if you happen to knock out or dislodge a tooth, we would consider this to be an urgent dental care matter. We want to see you soon after this happens so we can save your tooth! We also consider other dental trauma as an urgent dental care matter. Here is a complete list:
- Knocked-Out/Dislodged Tooth
- Loose Tooth
- Severe Toothache
- Dental Abscess
- Broken Tooth or Large Piece Missing From Tooth
- Large Chip or Crack
Non-Urgent Dental Care
On the other hand, there are several instances where you think it might be a dental emergency but it isn’t. If you happen to experience any of the following, you do not need to see us immediately. However, if your problem because worse and starts causing you unbearable pain, fever, or excessive bleeding, we highly recommend that you contact us.
- Lost crown, filling or bridge
- Food stuck between teeth
- Small crack or chip
- Dull toothache
Although these might feel like an emergency, you’re probably safe to wait for an appointment to resolve them.
How Can I Protect Myself From a Dental Emergency?
While we’re all busy staying safe at home, there are a few ways you can protect yourself from experiencing a dental emergency in the first place. To start, don’t participate in any physical contact with anyone for any reason. One of the most common reasons a tooth becomes knocked out is because someone got hit in the face. Trauma can also occur from taking a bad fall. If you’re prone to tripping, do yourself a favor and stick to clear pathways for your daily walks. It’s also important that you continue to wear your oral appliances if you have any. This includes oral appliances for sleep apnea, night guards, orthotics, and retainers.
You can also save yourself from a dental emergency by not using your teeth for anything but chewing. This means you don’t use them to open packages or chomp down on ice. Use them for eating and that’s it. Lastly, make sure you’re not skipping any tooth brushing or flossing sessions. Brushing and flossing are one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from cavities, gum disease and infection.
If you happen to experience a dental emergency in St. Augustine, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling (904) 826-4343.
