If you are in need of emergency dental care, you may find yourself with a lot of questions.

However, some emergency situations leave no time for questions. This is why it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place before an emergency situation arises. 

However, not all emergency dental care is so clear-cut. 

In this article, we address all aspects of immediate dental care. We’ll also help you to know when a dental issue is serious enough to get emergency treatment.  

What Is Emergency Dental Care?

Emergency dental care is exactly what it sounds like. Typically, people seek this service when they find themselves in a crisis situation relating to their oral health. 

Oral health is just as important as general body health. In fact, poor oral hygiene is often a sign that something is going wrong elsewhere in your body.

So, make sure you don’t neglect your dental needs, especially when you find yourself in an emergency situation. In addition to being an indicator that something else is already off, oral issues can spread to other areas of your body. 

Like other health issues, your teeth can also have a negative impact on your social life. This is because your teeth play a major role in your smile. Of course, feeling confident in your smile is essential in social settings.

Obviously, taking care of your teeth can significantly improve your overall health. Above all, problems with your teeth should not be ignored.

How Do You Know If You Need Emergency Dental Care?

Facing an oral health issue and wondering what to do? There are many situations that may lead you to seek emergency dental care. Here are a few of the major causes that typically result in emergency attention for dental issues.

Tooth Knocked Out or Other Trauma

Of course, there are the obvious cases when there is no question of whether or not you need immediate dental care.

If you have been involved in an accident or otherwise suffered an injury that has impacted your teeth, emergency medical care is key. 

If you have had a tooth knocked out or damaged and are bleeding or worse, then of course you should seek immediate dental care. Y

You should allow someone else to transport you for emergency medical attention. Keep in mind that depending on the severity of your injuries, an ambulance may be required.

Situations like this can be extremely frightening.

However, getting the proper care immediately will give you the best chance of fully healing. Plus, it will also help you to heal faster. Even something like a broken or chipped tooth should be addressed as soon as possible.

Damaged Dental Work

If you have had dental work done in the past, hopefully you know how to properly care for and maintain it. However, sometimes things happen.

With a crown, there is the risk of it falling out all of a sudden. The same thing can also happen with a tooth filling.

If one of these things or a similar situation happens to you, it is probably wise to visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Persistent Toothache

If you have a toothache that is especially persistent, it is imperative that you seek the appropriate medical attention.

You should do so not only to ease your pain and suffering, but also because a toothache can affect your overall dental health if left untreated.

Ignoring a toothache can lead to tooth decay — or worse. Toothaches can also lead to further painful conditions, such as dental abscesses. This will only end up causing you even more pain. Of course, it will also lead to expensive dental treatments. 

If the toothache is severe or has lasted a few days with no relief, it is time to seek help from a dental professional.

Severe Pain

Seeking emergency care from a dentist may also prove necessary if you are in severe pain. Often, people seek help when they are in extreme pain and can’t find any relief.

If this is the case for you, you should certainly seek care from a qualified medical professional. 

Seeking dental care sooner rather than later can be vital in both ending your pain and ensuring that your condition does not get worse.

What to Know Before You Seek Immediate Dental Care

Before you seek emergency dental care, you should be aware of what it may look like for you.

First, you should find a qualified facility that is familiar with treating the kind of problem you’re facing. This should be an accredited and professional medical center with a good reputation.

You should also make sure that wherever you go is in-network for your health insurance.

Opting to seek care at a place that is out of network can be very expensive. The high costs may cause you additional stress, so you should avoid doing so unless you have no other choice. 

In that same vein, if you can, you should familiarize yourself with the terms of your insurance. You need to know what it does and does not cover. This way, you can be prepared for any bills or situations you may face as a result of seeking treatment.

Other Dental Services We Offer

Here at Forest Park Dental, we can see you for emergency dental care.

However, we also offer the most comprehensive dental care in the greater St. Louis area. Our doctors are experts at handling a broad range of procedures and treatments.

In addition to emergency treatment and general dentistry, we offer cosmetic dentistry, top-notch dental technology, restorative dentistry, and family dentistry.

We also create preventive dental care programs. These programs will help you take the best care possible of your teeth. They’ll also assist you in avoiding the costly, painful issues that can arise from improper oral health care.

If you are seeking dental care in St. Louis or the surrounding region, make sure to get in touch. Visit our contact page to contact us today.