It can happen in the blink of an eye. One minute you’re munching on smokehouse almonds, and the next, you’ve got a broken tooth. After the initial shock wears off, you may be in a lot of pain and realize you’ve got to do something about this. But you’ve never had a dental emergency and have no idea what to expect when you get to your dentist’s office. Here is more about what you can anticipate going into an emergency visit.
Making an Appointment
First things first: You’ll want to call ahead to your dentist’s office to make an appointment as soon as possible. Some dentists will accept walk-ins, while other offices prefer you schedule a visit. In many cases, the office will suggest first-aid tips or other helpful information you can use prior to your appointment.
Exam
Before the dentist can do anything, they’ll need to know exactly what the problem is. Here are the best ways you can help them:
- Be specific about what happened to cause the issue.
- Tell them if you are in pain and if so, where does it hurt.
- Any other specifics related to your emergency.
The dentist will likely take X-rays to help them form a diagnosis before deciding on treatment. If you’re not visiting your usual dentist or you are a new patient, they may need to know your medical history and current medications you take.
Anesthesia
If it’s an emergency, you likely have mild to severe pain. In this case, a local anesthetic like lidocaine or Novocain will be given to numb the affected area.
If you feel anxious about the procedure, many dentists provide sedation through nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation to help you relax and ease your mind.
Medication
Based on your medical history and your emergency, your dentist could prescribe medicine for after the visit. They may give you painkillers to ease your discomfort or an antibiotic to fight an infection.
Follow-up Visits
An emergency may require a procedure as a temporary remedy until a subsequent visit when the dentist can address the root of the problem.
For instance, if a broken tooth landed you in the dentist’s chair, a follow-up appointment may be necessary to perform a root canal. Not all emergency visits require later visits; many dentists can perform treatments like root canals on the same day.
Aftercare
After your visit is concluded, your dentist will advise you on things like pain management, foods you should avoid temporarily, or how to clean your mouth to prevent infection.
Generally, patients should stick to soft foods, drink plenty of water, and allow their body time to rest, especially after more invasive procedures like extractions.
Unfortunately, accidents happen, but these tips can assuage some of your fears about visiting the dentist for an emergency procedure.
About the Practice
If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, trust the team at Brown & Nawrocki Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry to take care of you quickly and compassionately. Our office encourages same-day appointments, accepts walk-ins, and is available for your convenience on weekends and evenings. Whether it’s a cracked tooth, lost crown, or broken denture, get the help you need fast by calling (386) 677-1046 or visiting us online.