Who Do You Call If You Have a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any scenario in which damage to the teeth occurs and the patient needs urgent care. While a dental emergency may have never happened to you, it could happen in the future.

Some things are too urgent to wait for an appointment. How do you know if you need to call for help? Who do you call? How can you be prepared?

Some common questions individuals may have in a dental emergency:

• “Is this serious enough, can’t we treat it at home for now?”
• “Should I call 911?”
• “How can I help at the moment?”

How to know if it is a dental emergency and when to seek help

If you are experiencing any of the following, call Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry:

• A knocked-out tooth
• A broken tooth
• An abscess with pus
• Unexplained severe mouth pain
• Persistent bleeding of the mouth

Should I call 911 for a dental emergency?

If you suspect you are dealing with a potential dental emergency, stay calm. In the heat of the moment, a person’s instinct may be to call 911. However, paramedics and dentists would encourage you to analyze the situation.

Dental emergencies are serious. Dental offices are for tooth-related emergencies. If you need treatment, dentists are the specialists for the job. Act fast and responsibly.

Calling 911 may ultimately waste your time in getting the help you need. The police cannot help in dental matters and paramedics are not dentists. They can help if you have a non-dental medical emergency, but not if it is a dental-specific issue.

What should you do instead?

Instead, call Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. We will help you over the phone. We can talk you through your situation to identify and diagnose the issue. No prior appointment is needed. We will establish the best course of action and set up a time for you to come in for treatment.

Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is here for you when you have a dental emergency

When it comes to your smile, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Obtaining immediate assistance is the first step in addressing the situation. When you call Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, a dental professional will counsel you over the phone. Do not hesitate. The consequences of untreated emergencies can leave permanent damage. Some serious dental infections can even threaten your life if not treated.

Our contact information is below. Save our number in your phone contacts so you will be prepared in the unfortunate event that you experience a dental emergency.