Urgent & Nonurgent Dental Emergencies: The Vital Difference

During the outbreak of the Coronavirus, it’s important to limit your exposure to others as much as possible. But what if a dental emergency occurs? What should you do next? Some dental emergencies require immediate attention, but in other cases, it’s best to stay at home. Keep reading to learn when you should see your emergency dentist in Rochester and what you can do on your own to get out of pain and back to comfort.

When You Should See Your Emergency Dentist

With the COVID-19 situation, it’s best to do all you can to remain isolated and away from others—for their sake and yours. However, these emergencies require an immediate call to your dentist for treatment:

• Knocked out tooth
• Loose tooth
• Badly cracked tooth
• Heavily decayed tooth
• Damaged tooth
• Infected tooth

Dentists are currently closed for elective services, but they are ready and able to help with your dental emergencies. If any of the above issues occur, contact your dentist right away to get out of pain and back to smiling.

Visit the ER If…

While the emergency room is the last place you want to be due to the potential cases of COVID-19, you should seek immediate care if you:

• Are experiencing uncontrollable bleeding
• Fractured or broke your jaw
• Have an issue affecting your breathing
• Have deep facial cuts
• Experience any other life-threatening issues

When You Can Afford to Stay Home

There are some dental “emergencies” that are nonurgent and can be dealt with at home. If you’re experiencing a toothache, try first to floss around the area and swish your mouth with water. This can often dislodge a pesky piece of debris causing harm. Additionally, if you have a lost crown or filling, you can repair your smile using dental cement found at your local drugstore. For a temporary fix, you can even use sugarless gum to protect the affected area and minimize sensitivity.

Another common dental problem is chipped teeth. Your risk of this may even be higher during this time if you’re resorting to indoor physical activity. If you do chip a tooth, you can call your dentist, but you should wait to get treatment. Your dentist will still be able to repair this minor injury down the road. Until then, you can use desensitizing toothpaste and avoid chewing on that area if it is tender. When unsure if the issue you’re having requires a dental visit, it never hurts to call your dentist in Rochester to see what they recommend for your next moves.

During these uncertain times, you can count on your dentist if you’re having an emergency. However, you can also do your part to keep everybody safe by staying at home and remembering these tips when possible!

About the Practice

Drs. Joseph and Katherine Vollo are a husband and wife team of dentists who are committed to keeping you healthy and safe during this strange time. They are closed for day to day operations, but they can still be reached through their website or by phone at (585) 225-9114 for urgent dental emergencies!