You’re quarantining at home in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. You get distracted by something on TV and don’t realize that your dog is standing right behind you. You take a step backwards and go tumbling head-over-heels, breaking a tooth in the process. You panic. What do you do? While it may be tempting to put on a mask and head straight to an ER, here are some reasons why you should think twice and call your emergency dentist in Plainview instead.
Keeping Yourself and Others Safe
Having a dental emergency can be a scary thing, one that you want to get taken care of right away. While most dental offices are closed for regular business, many of them are still available for emergency care and will get you in as quickly as possible. More often than not, they will see you that same day.
By going to the ER, you’re putting yourself in an environment surrounded by germs and viruses of all sorts. This puts you at higher risk not only to contract or spread COVID-19 but other diseases as well.
A visit to a dental office puts in you a much safer, sterile environment in which every precaution will be taken to ensure that you get the care you need quickly and conveniently.
Sharing the Burden
Right now, many of our hospitals and ERs are reaching capacity. They need to meet the needs of those with COVID-19 as well as those facing other medical challenges. Healthcare workers are working themselves to the bone, most having to isolate themselves from their families for fear of spreading the germs they come into contact with every day.
Instead of adding to that load, choose to have your situation taken care of by a dentist. Not only are they uniquely qualified to handle your dental emergency, they are seeing patients strictly on an as-needed basis which means you’ll be seen quickly.
What Counts as a Dental Emergency?
As a rule of thumb, if you are in pain or something is broken, that’s a dental emergency. Even if you aren’t sure if what you’re experiencing counts, you can find out more by calling your emergency dental office.
Some of the most common dental emergencies are:
- Severe toothaches
- Knocked-out or broken teeth
- Any type of pain or swelling in the face that you can’t understand
- Broken dental work such as crowns, bridges, dentures, or fillings
We’re all in this together. If you have a dental emergency during the pandemic, reach out to your local emergency dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Miguel A. Casañas Jr. is always here for his patients. He recognizes that these are trying times and wants to be a resource for his community. He offers a comprehensive list of services to ensure that his patients can receive the state-of-the-art care they need from someone they trust. His focus on innovative dentistry runs the gamut from sedation to implant dentistry. If you are having a dental emergency or even just think you may be having one, he and his team are happy to help.