How to Find a Dentist in an Emergency
When you’re in pain, you need to get a hold of someone who can help you as soon as you can. If you’re dealing with a dental emergency, like a toothache, you should naturally look for a dentist who can deal with that.
However, that’s easier said than done when you’re currently distracted by pain. If you’re in need of an emergency dentist, here’s how you can find one.
How Does Someone Find an Emergency Dentist?
Technically, “emergency dentist” isn’t a specialty; you can call up any dentist you’d like, and a vast majority of them will be happy to help you. If you have a dentist you’d see regularly for checkups, calling them isn’t a bad place to start.
If you don’t have a regular dentist, calling one that happens to be nearby works just as well. If you don’t have any preference, you can even google “dentists near me” and sort by distance, finding the one that’s most convenient.
What If It’s After Hours?
If there aren’t any dentists open near you, you should still call the front desk of a dentist’s office and try to leave a message.
Some dentists have emergency numbers on their voicemail, so if you’re actively in pain you should try and give that number a call. A dentist will make you an emergency appointment and give you some advice on what to do until they can see you. If no emergency number is listed, you can leave a detailed voicemail and your dentist will call you back in the morning.
What Do I Do Until My Appointment?
It’s rare that a dentist will be able to see you immediately, which means that you’ll have to spend some time before your appointment trying to stay comfortable.
Over-the-counter medication is a great place to start. But sometimes that isn’t enough. A saltwater rinse can also bring down inflammation, which can potentially alleviate the discomfort you’re feeling. Finally, you can always try a cold compress to bring down any swelling.
About the Author
Dr. Roman Kotlarek is a dentist whose main goal is to make his patients’ experience at his office as pleasant and comfortable as possible. He combines the latest in oral medicine, an artistic eye, and a gentle touch to give his patients a level of care you can’t get anywhere else. Dr. Kotlarek received his doctorate from The University of Texas Health and Science Center in San Antonio.
If you have any questions about what to do in a dental emergency, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (281) 920-4200.
