Helping Patients Find Weekend Emergency Dentists near Long Beach, CA

Can I Trust an Emergency Weekend Dentist?

Although serious pain may make you feel desperate for help, it is still important to know that you are getting quality care. Even worse than enduring ongoing pain from a cracked tooth or cavity would be to have it fixed in a poor manner. It can be difficult to trust a dentist who is unfamiliar to you, especially when you are in such pain. However, weekend dentists are often general dentists who actually have additional training that they have chosen to use to help those in need.

Treating emergency dental issues is a different process than general, routine dental care. Emergency problems usually involve more difficult maintenance and intervention, which is why they are typically such painful problems. Because of this, emergency dentists must be extremely knowledgeable about and familiar with emergency dental conditions. Your case is most likely not the first they have handled, meaning that you can trust them to help you in your pain.

When To Visit an Emergency Weekend Dentist

A dental emergency is usually fairly easy to classify. This is because any type or amount of mouth and tooth pain is not normal, as a stomach ache or headache may be. There are differing levels of dental emergencies, including:

• A severe toothache. This can be pain surrounding a tooth or multiple teeth that is persistent and will not go away even with the help of pain-relieving medications.
• A severely cracked or fractured tooth. If your tooth has cracked or fractured, there will likely be swelling and an enormous amount of pain. This area can also be subject to infection if left untreated, often making this kind of injury an emergency issue.
• Traumatic loss of a tooth. This is also known as an avulsed tooth. This describes a case in which a tooth or multiple teeth have been knocked out accidentally. Avulsed teeth are considered emergencies because they require the experienced help of a dentist to get them back into their sockets.
• Dental abscesses. These are infections that are caused by a buildup of pus in your gums or teeth. They can feel like regular toothaches and be very painful, especially when chewing, eating, or drinking hot or cold things.
• Traumatic injury to the general mouth area. This can include your lips, jaw, tongue, gums, and cheeks. Injuries to these areas can be serious and include a lot of bleeding and pain. If the pain and bleeding cannot be controlled, it may be necessary to visit an emergency dentist.

Not all dental issues should be considered emergencies, but if there is persistent pain and/or bleeding, it could be helpful to visit an emergency dentist. Even if you are not sure whether your situation is an emergency or not, contacting an emergency dentist to explain your circumstances could provide you with clarity on what your next best step should be.

The Expenses of an Emergency Dentist Visit

Each dentist is different and, therefore, will have different costs associated with their services. This is especially true of emergency dentists who are working varied hours. There are also sometimes additional costs associated with emergency services, such as x-rays and surgical measures, that may need to be taken. The cost of an emergency dental visit will depend largely upon the dentist you visit and your particular emergency needs, meaning that it will vary from case to case.

It should be noted, however, that in cases of dental emergencies, it is important to get medical help. Dental issues that qualify as emergencies will not heal themselves or go away on their own. Instead, they will most likely worsen over time if not given attention and proper care. This could only result in more expenses down the road rather than having them taken care of when they happen.

Depending on your insurance company, you may also be able to use insurance to help out with the expenses of emergency dental services. Sometimes, these expenses are covered by insurance and other times, they can be partially covered without changes to maximums and co-pays. In the case of a dental emergency, be sure to contact your dental insurance provider to understand what costs you can get help with covering.

When To Go to the Emergency Room Instead of an Emergency Dentist

If you are experiencing pain surrounding a tooth or in the general gum area, going to an emergency dentist can be the best choice. However, there are certain situations in which going straight to the emergency room may be more beneficial. Emergency dentists are trained and equipped to help in situations involving primarily teeth and gums.

There may be times when you have to wait a short amount of time before seeing the nearest emergency dentist. In these cases, an emergency room may be able to supply you with pain medication that can ease your pain until you can be seen by the dentist. In cases where your pain is unable to be tolerated, this may be an option.

In scenarios involving broken facial bones, severe and life-threatening bleeding, or other life-threatening circumstances, going to the emergency room may be the best choice. If you have been in an accident where you have suffered broken bones or trauma to your face and head, an emergency dentist may not be the best first option. In such cases, going to an emergency room where there are doctors and equipment to handle life-threatening circumstances may be better.

Can I Take My Child to an Emergency Dentist?

Sometimes, it seems like children have more emergencies than adults, especially when they are playing sports, playing outside, or doing other child-suited activities. Children can experience knocked-out teeth, chipped teeth, and more. The good news is that emergency weekend dentists are not only for adults but also for children.

Even if the emergency dentist you visit is not a pediatric dentist specifically, they should still have the training that is necessary to treat your child. It is not necessary to spend time searching for a pediatric-specific emergency dentist, especially when your child is in pain. After assessing the situation, if the circumstances require an emergency dentist’s attention, a general emergency dentist can help.

Do Emergency Dentists Help With Orthodontic Emergencies?

Emergencies involving the teeth and mouth can always be serious, but they oftentimes feel even more serious when braces are involved. Sometimes, a seemingly small injury or accident can be exacerbated by the presence of metal in your mouth. When wires or brackets are snapped or broken, they can be sharp and damage your gums, tongue, cheeks, and teeth.

In cases of dental emergencies involving braces or a patient who is currently seeing an orthodontist, it can be helpful to consult your orthodontist first. However, they may not always be available. In some cases, your orthodontist may point you straight to an emergency dentist, depending on their availability and the severity of your emergency. Emergency dentists are equipped to handle cases of patients who have braces, spacers, and other orthodontic needs.

There are also specific orthodontic emergency dentists available in some areas. However, most of the time, a general emergency dentist can help.

Painful Dental Issues That Are Not Emergencies

There are some cases in which painful dental issues are not emergencies and may be able to wait until your general dentist is available to be treated. In these cases, it is still important to see your dentist as soon as possible, but it may not be necessary to go out of your way to find an emergency dentist. Some of these may include

• A toothache that is not overwhelmingly painful. Some cavities begin to ache slightly and may be able to be treated for a short amount of time with simple pain medications. If something like this pops up on a Friday evening or a Saturday, you may be able to wait until Monday when your general dentist is available to treat your cavity.
• A minor chip in your tooth. This may be the cause of an accident or injury but may not require immediate attention. A chipped tooth can be painful, but the pain may be able to be managed with medication. If so, seeking emergency care may not be necessary.
• Broken wires or brackets on braces. It is not rare or unheard of for braces to break. When this happens, it may not necessarily be an emergency. There will often be discomfort, but this may be able to be managed for the short time of a weekend, especially if there is no persistent bleeding.
• Lodged object in between your teeth. If there is a hard object stuck between your teeth that you cannot remove with floss, you may require dental care to remove it. However, this will most likely not be an emergency requiring immediate attention, even though it is uncomfortable. Seeking the help of your general dentist when they are next available may be better than emergency care.
• Minor injury to your gums or mouth tissue. If there is no persistent bleeding, the assessment and treatment of a general dentist can usually fix these issues.

Emergency Care in Long Beach, CA

In a big city, it can sometimes be overwhelming to find help in the midst of an emergency because there seem to be so many options available. If you are in the area of Long Beach, California, Emergency Dental Service is available to help you with all of your emergency dental needs. Their team of experienced, dedicated dentists is ready and equipped to handle whatever emergency you may be facing. With the help of Emergency Dental Service, you can get connected to them quickly and easily.

Emergency Dental Service: Your Help in Time of Need

It can be difficult to navigate finding the appropriate emergency dental help when you are physically dealing with a weekend dental emergency. Pain and fear often override the ability to think logically and coherently. For this reason, Emergency Dental Service can help connect you with an emergency dental service that is near you to ensure that you get the appropriate medical help. You can use our provider search page to find options near you. You may also call our offices at 1-833-624-1382.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency near Long Beach, CA, we can get you connected to an emergency dentist who can help. We are an emergency dental service that is ready and equipped to help you in this time of crisis. Do not put off going to get help; it will likely only make your problems worse and more painful. Reach out now to get help in finding a local emergency dentist who can relieve your pain and symptoms.