After-Hours Care: How to Reach an Emergency Dentist

An emergency dentist offers after-hours services because emergencies like broken, infected, or knocked-out teeth are rarely conveniently aligned with people's personal schedules. Our general dentist at Culebra Family Dentistry is here to educate you about ways to access emergency dental care, even when offices appear to be closed.

The importance of after-hours access to an emergency dentist

An emergency dentist is part of a patient's first line of defense when they experience urgent tooth pain, mouth injuries, or infection outside of regular business hours. The American Dental Association states that receiving prompt care for severe dental pain helps prevent complications like abscesses, bone loss, and systemic infections.

Clear instructions on how to reach a general dentist at odd hours will shorten the time that it takes for treatment to be administered. Ways to ensure that a patient can get the emergency care that they need include the following.

1. Keep the clinic’s phone number handy

Many general dentists who offer after-hours care have a dedicated phone number for emergencies listed on their websites. Patients should save this information on their phone so they can dial it with just a few taps.

2. Listen to the voicemail prompt

A patient is typically forwarded to a prerecorded message when they call emergency dental services. They should follow the prompts carefully to receive care as quickly as possible. Some practices will connect the patient directly to the on-call dentist, while others require them to leave a brief message, including their name, location, and a description of their emergency.

3. Be ready to describe symptoms

Patients should be able to share the details of their situation with the dentist, such as the nature of the injury, the intensity of any pain or sensitivity caused, or the presence of bleeding. The on-call dentist will then make a recommendation on whether urgent care is needed or if the injury can be managed with self-care practices like over-the-counter painkillers while they wait for regular appointments.

What to do while waiting for emergency dental care

Here are care tips for managing dental emergencies while waiting for treatment:

• Knocked-out tooth: Hold the tooth by its crown (not roots), rinse gently, and place in milk, saliva, or saline solution. Do not allow the tooth to dry out.
• Abscess/infection: Rinse the mouth with warm salt water to help reduce pain.
• Fractured tooth: Save any fragments, and cover sharp edges left on the tooth with orthodontic wax.
• Pain management: Alternate between ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Avoid aspirin because it increases bleeding.