Find a Dentist With Emergency Services When You Need Them

Unsure how to find a dentist in case of a dental emergency? Read on to learn more. When you are experiencing an urgent dental issue, getting help as soon as possible is important. Not only does it improve your potential outcome, but it also helps to alleviate pain, worry, and other possible issues, such as bleeding. However, finding an emergency dentist is not always easy.

If you need an emergency dentist but don't know where to look, here are a few suggestions to help you find a dentist as needed.

How to find a dentist for emergencies

Not all locations have emergency dentists within an easily reachable distance. If you don't know where to go, be sure to:

Start with your general dentist

In many cases, the dentist you see for routine work is your best first point of contact in an emergency. They may take emergent cases on an as-needed basis, and if they don't, their after-hours office message may include the contact information for an emergency dental professional they like to refer patients to.

Use the internet

If your general dentist cannot serve you right now, your next best option is the internet. Use a search engine to look for emergency dentists near you using search terms like "emergency dentist [city]." This should bring up a list of providers based on who is nearest. Look at reviews if you have a choice between multiple providers, so you can select the team that will provide the best care.

Call an urgent care

If you can't find an emergency dentist or don't have access to the internet, visit (or call) an urgent care. They may be able to stabilize the site until you can be seen by a dentist, and even better, they may have the information you need to locate an emergency dentist right away.

What to do until you can be seen

As you go through your options for finding an emergency dentist when you need one, you will also need to contend with the dental problem itself. Prior to arriving at the emergency office, be sure to:

• Collect any broken pieces of tooth (store them in milk or saliva)
• Put pressure on any bleeding
• Bring ID and insurance information
• Write down any important details about the accident or emergency event
• Find a helper (to drive, to provide support, etc.)

If you must pick up pieces of tooth, try not to touch them by the root ends. Having the patient hold the dislodged tooth or broken piece in their mouth is the best way to keep it viable so it can be fixed, but be careful not to swallow it. If the mouth is bleeding, the patient should bite down on gauze to slow the blood flow until they can be seen.