Life can sometimes throw a curveball your way – and it might come in the form of a dental emergency! However, when there’s something wrong with your smile, the very last thing you should do is panic; instead, you should quickly contact your emergency dentist and let them know what happened. They should be able to get an appointment scheduled for you and get to the bottom of the issue once you’ve arrived. That said, you might be wondering just what exactly to expect once you show up for this urgent appointment. Here’s a closer look!
#1. A Thorough Examination
Before anything can be done to assist you, your dentist will need to figure out what exactly is wrong – and even if you explained things clearly over the phone, they’ll still need to see with their own eyes just what the situation looks like. Once you’re seated in the treatment chair, they will begin conducting a thorough oral examination, often also taking X-rays, to determine the cause of the pain and the extent of the damage. They’ll search for signs of concern like gum inflammation or infection, as well as exposed nerves. They’ll also look for damage to the teeth or other oral structures. They won’t just focus on the problem area; they’ll check the status of your whole mouth to ensure that any prescribed treatment is thorough!
#2. Rapid Pain Relief
It’s common for the majority of patients visiting an emergency dentist to deal with some level of dental pain. Be sure you describe your pain as accurately as possible to your dentist; while they might be able to see what’s causing it, they aren’t going to know how it’s personally affecting you unless you tell them. In any case, though, they’ll take every step possible to work on the underlying cause of pain and bring you quick relief. Typically, you’ll receive some type of in-office pain treatment, but if things persist, you may be sent home with prescribed pain medication or anti-inflammatory medication, or instructions to take OTC medication as needed.
#3. Personalized Treatment Plan
Every smile is different, and by their nature, every dental emergency tends to be a little different, too. However, one of the biggest benefits of professional dental care is personalized treatment. Your dentist won’t use a one-size-fits-all approach to address your pain and mend your smile; they’ll tailor treatment to your specific needs. This means that no matter the nature of your emergency, whether it’s a displaced or damaged tooth, unrelenting dental pain, or something else entirely, a good solution exists! Of course, your dentist will let you know what they’re thinking and keep you looped in while planning your personalized treatment, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and have your concerns addressed.
Dental emergencies aren’t always easy to navigate, but by knowing what you’re walking into when you visit your emergency dentist, you can confidently prepare yourself for rapid pain relief and a happy, healthy smile!
About the Practice
The team at NU Dental Eatontown has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Eatontown and the surrounding community for several years. Under the leadership of Dr. Gizachew, Dr. Andrews, Dr. Habib, and Dr. Wollek, they offer a wide variety of services, including same-day emergency care for patients with urgent needs. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (732) 863-3899.