True Dental Emergency?

Is the Emergency Room the Right Place to go for A Dental Emergency?

At Lincoln Family Dentistry we often get asked this question. While we would love to give a quick “yes” or “no” answer; it isn’t quite that simple. Where you go depends on the type of injury sustained. In our article we’ll cover:

If you or someone you know has a dental emergency, most can be seen by an emergency dentist at Lincoln Family Dentistry. So that you can be a little more sure about where you to go in the event of an emergency, let’s look into various situations. These situations are those that are appropriate for treatment at the emergency room vs those that are good for a dental office.

Life-Threatening or Traumatic Injuries
When dealing with a life-threatening injury or serious trauma to the head or  mouth; make sure that you seek treatment at the emergency room closest to you. If you are wondering what injuries are worthy of an emergency room visit, common ones have been listed below:

• Lacerations to the mouth or face that are deep and possibly in need of stitches
• Fracture or dislocation of the jaw
• Discomfort and swelling of the face most likely caused by a dental abscess or infection that is making it difficult to swallow or breathe

When experiencing any of the above dental emergencies, it is important to first seek treatment at a hospital. Hospitals have the necessary tools and equipment to treat conditions and other issues caused by injury or infection. For example, in the case of a severe and life-threatening infection, it is likely you will need IV antibiotics. IV antibiotics are not available at a dental office. In addition, a hospital can help with any airway restrictions, which a dental office can’t do.

Whatever the emergency, if you receive dental treatment at the hospital, it’s a good idea to follow-up with your dentist so they can ensure proper healing as well as tooth and gum health. While a hospital can treat medical conditions, they will not perform any cosmetic or restorative treatment. A follow-up dental visit ensures your teeth and mouth are healthy. In addition, a dental visit also ensures your mouth is in good working order.

The information on this page was written by Dr. Jon Isaacson.

This gentle Lincoln, NE dentists says: “I saw a lot of different dental specialists when I was young. My orthodontist changed my life by giving me the smile I am remembered by today. I love people, art, and making an impact. Once I discovered the potential impact a confident smile can make in someone’s life, dentistry became the only career that would allow me to maximize my creative skills while fulfilling my drive for helping others. Dentistry is about so much more than teeth, and the world is finally starting to acknowledge this. I am so excited to incorporate my background in Nutrition Science and my passion for overall well-being to provide the next level of care for my patients.”

You can schedule with this Lincoln, NE dentist, or his partners, online 24/7 at a Lincoln Family Dentistry Location near you. This “dentist near me” serves the local communities close to Lincoln. Some of the communities include Eagle, Walton, Weeping Water, Avoca, and many more!