There are many misconceptions about emergency rooms and dental care, but the truth is that many ERs don’t offer much in the way of dental care. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about what it means if your child needs a tooth pulled at an ER or urgent care clinic.
Should I Take My Child To The Emergency Room for a Toothache?
One big reason is that most hospitals and ERs don’t need dentists for anything but severe dental trauma or life threatening dental infections. The second big reason is that most people who go to the ER are there because of life-threatening health issues or emergencies, not just dental problems–so it’s too crowded already.
Most hospitals and ERs do not have a dental professional on staff in the event that it’s needed. If your child suffers from an injury to their teeth, you will likely be told to visit a pediatric dentist for emergency care.
When you need emergency dental work and are in the ER, there are some potential pros and cons. There will be general dentists at some hospitals and ERs but when a patient has significant oral trauma due to any reason – like a car accident that left all their teeth knocked out – they might require an oral surgeon’s assistance.
If your child is not in any danger, but has a tooth injury or dental issue, it is best to call a pediatric dentist.
What if My Child Has a Loose Tooth?
Dental trauma can cause the teeth to loosen, so it’s important to look at what has happened before deciding what to do. If your child has a disturbance in their teeth that may be causing some problems, we suggest you make an appointment with our office for a consultation.
However, if your child has a loose baby tooth or adult tooth due to dental trauma, such as from a slip and fall or hard hit in a contact sport, you should seek immediate care from a pediatric dentist.
Depending on the type of tooth injury and whether it’s a baby tooth or adult tooth, Dr. Sabbadini will examine your child and determine the best course of action.
Contact Dr. Sabbadini for Emergency Care Right Away!
When your child has a dental emergency, visit the experts at Gary D. Sabbadini, DDS to get everything they need. Get a virtual consult, schedule an appointment online, or call us at (510) 724-4400 for an appointment.