Whenever early signs of oral problems arise, many of us are already route to the nearest dentist to get it checked and treated. But how do you know when to contact your general dentist or head straight to the emergency dentist? Although similar in functions, these two offer different services depending on your needs. Understanding how emergency dentists differ from general dentists is the key to proper and prompt treatment, which is the determining factor in your oral concern. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between the two dentists so you can understand which kind of dental help you need.
General dentist: the primary oral healthcare provider.
General dentists are your go-to dentists; they offer a wide range of services for all aspects of oral health. Their focus is more on preventative care, common dental procedures, and routine checkups. They’re practically your family doctor for your teeth and gums, building long-term relationships with their clients and providing personalized dental care depending on the client’s dental history. Besides the aforementioned, these are some other key responsibilities and services provided by a general dentist:
Fillings and restorations. Repairing your damaged tooth is one of the most common reasons why we go to the general dentist. They have the skills and expertise to restore damaged teeth, like placing fillings or repairing cavities. Some of the most common treatments for cavity repair include crowns and bridges to replace your missing teeth. Dentures also fall into this category, as well as any other procedure that helps improve oral function.
Minor oral surgery. General dentists are also qualified to perform a few minor oral surgeries like tooth extractions. Depending on the severity of your case, they may refer you to a specialist or an oral surgeon.
Cosmetic dentistry. Although general dentists are more focused on preventative care and general oral care, they can also do a few cosmetic dental procedures like veneers or teeth whitening to enhance your smile.
Patient education. One of the most important responsibilities of general dentists is educating patients about preventative oral health as well as the newest trends and practices that can help improve and maintain peak dental health. They provide tips on brushing, flossing, and other factors that affect mental health, and they also recommend products that are best tailored to their client’s needs.
Emergency dentist: the dental professional for urgent dental needs.
Emergency dentists are a lot like general dentists—the only difference is that the former’s function is to provide prompt and immediate care for urgent oral concerns. They have the skills, knowledge, and expertise in handling situations that require quick action to provide comfort and relief to a patient, prevent further damage, and save their tooth. Emergency dentists are spread out in the city—you can even find a couple of emergency dentists in Coburg or wherever you’re located, ensuring their patients can reach them easily. They’re more trained and equipped than general dentists to deal with pressing matters that are usually outside regular operation hours. Here are some instances where you should seek an emergency dentist’s help:
Knocked-out tooth. One of the most common dental emergencies is a knocked-out tooth; you can try and put your tooth back in its socket, making sure to wash it first and to avoid touching the root as much as possible. But if you can’t, it’s best to place it in a glass of milk and head straight to the emergency dentist to save it.
Severe toothache. Most of us have experienced toothaches, and usually, they can be remedied by pain relievers you can buy over the counter. However, if your toothache has been pretty persistent, hindering your daily work, and won’t go away despite taking pain relievers, then you should head to the nearest emergency dentist. This could be an indicator of a more serious and underlying illness, so it’s best to have it checked by a dental professional.
Abscessed tooth. Another dental emergency that requires immediate attention is a dental abscess. It’s necessary to go to your dentist ASAP to prevent the spread of the infection, drain the abscess, and get an antibiotic prescription from your dentist.
Lost filling or crown. Lost fillings or crowns don’t usually count as dental emergencies, but once they expose a delicate tooth structure, then they’re qualified as dental emergencies. It may be a small inconvenience, but the exposure may make you more prone to sensitivity which can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort.
These are just a few dental issues that warrant a visit to the emergency dentist; broken and fractured teeth as well as uncontrollable bleeding also fall under dental emergencies. At the end of the day, seeking the right dental professional can help save your tooth to maintain optimal oral health.
