Bad Breath: You Don't Have to Live with It

Tooth pain can be one of the most excruciating types of pain a person experiences in their lifetime. Consequently, it is not hard to understand why many people who are experiencing severe tooth pain find it impossible to wait until the next business day to get in touch with their regular dentist. Unfortunately, far too many of these individuals will ultimately fail to get the help they need simply because they are not familiar with the facts surrounding emergency dental services. Thankfully, you can avoid finding yourself in this same position by taking a few moments to review the three facts discussed below.

Fact #1: Most Emergency Rooms Do No Offer Emergency Dental Services  

Perhaps the most common mistake that many people make when dealing with a dental emergency is that they choose to head to their nearest emergency room in search of care. While the emergency room is certainly the place you want to go if you are dealing with a medical emergency, most emergency rooms will not offer emergency dental services. This is because most hospitals do not keep dentists on staff. Consequently, the only thing most hospitals will be able to do for you in a dental emergency is to offer you pain medication. In order to truly address the underlying cause of your tooth pain, you will need to seek out an emergency dentist or dental urgent care. 

Fact #2: Emergency Dentists Do Not Typically Provide Ongoing Care

While an emergency dentist will be able to help you with the immediate issue you are dealing with, you should know that many of these dentists only offer emergency services. Consequently, you may still need to follow up with your regular dentist in order to address any long-term dental problems which will require ongoing or follow-up care. Failure in getting this follow-up care can easily leave you dealing with another dental emergency in the near future. If you do not currently have a regular dentist to provide your follow-up care, be sure to ask your emergency dental practice for a referral when receiving your emergency services. 

Fact #3: You Do Not Need Dental Insurance To Seek Out Emergency Dental Services

Another common mistake that people make when dealing with a dental emergency is failing to seek out help simply because they do not have dental insurance coverage. If you do not have dental insurance, you should know that many emergency dental offices will offer a wide range of payment and financing options in order to ensure you are able to get the care you need. In some cases, you may even be able to qualify for a reduced payment based on your income.