About 130 million people have to visit an ER due to an emergency every year. If you have a dental emergency, however, you need a specialist. Otherwise, you might not receive the care and attention you need.
Here are seven tips that can help you find the best emergency dentist in Raleigh. With these tips, you can feel confident knowing your family will receive dental care from an expert.
Read on to discover how to go about choosing a dentist today.
Before rushing to choose an emergency dentist, it's important to understand what constitutes an emergency. Some people shrug off their symptoms. Unfortunately, delaying treatment could lead to complications and painful symptoms.
In fact, a member of your family could risk losing a tooth. An infection could enter the bloodstream, leading to additional health problems.
Instead, it can help to recognize which dental problems are considered emergencies.
Common dental emergencies include:
A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus that builds against a tooth's root. You can develop a tooth abscess if you delay seeking treatment for a cavity. Unfortunately, the mortality rate for patients with an infection due to a tooth abscess can reach 40% if you don't seek care.
A tooth abscess can cause a fever or severe, throbbing toothache. You might experience facial swelling or sensitivity when chewing. Difficult swallowing or breathing can occur, too.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, don't hesitate to seek help for a dental emergency.
Talk to friends and family members who live in Raleigh. Ask if they can recommend a local emergency dentist. Determine if they've encountered a dental emergency in the past, too.
If they have, ask what happened. Ask questions about the dentist they visited as well.
Asking about their experience can help you determine how to react to a dental emergency. It can also help you build a list of reliable emergency dentists in town.
Ask if the dentist was knowledgeable, experienced, and professional. Consider asking the patient if they experienced problems when visiting the dentist, too. For example, maybe they had to wait a while before seeing the dentist.
During an emergency, you'll want to receive care right away. Look for a dentist who knows how to handle emergency situations.
If you're unable to gather recommendations from friends and family members, begin your search for an emergency dentist online. Then, determine how long each dentist has worked in Raleigh. Consider how long they've owned their own practice and how often they handle dental emergencies.
Finding a dentist with years of relevant, hands-on experience can help you feel more confident in your choice. These dentists will understand how to handle emergency situations while prioritizing patient care.
Make sure the dentist graduated from an accredited institution. Confirm that they're licensed to practice in the state, too. If they don't have an up-to-date medical license, strike them from your list.
Find a qualified, experienced dentist who can offer the highest standard of dental care.
As you begin narrowing down your options, determine when each dental practice is open. An emergency can happen at any moment. You won't want to choose an emergency dentist with limited hours.
Instead, determine if the practice is open 24/7. Ask about their hours during the holidays, too. If they have limited availability, remove them from your list.
Determine where each practice is located before there's an emergency. Try to find a practice near your home, work, or child's school. Finding a nearby practice can offer ease and convenience.
If there's an emergency, you won't have to worry about getting stuck in traffic or a long drive. Instead, you can seek care right away.
Before selecting an emergency dentist, determine if they're also a family dentist. Try to find a dentist who specializes in treating patients of all ages. If they only treat adults, they might not understand your child's developmental needs.
They might also struggle to put your child at ease during an emergency, which could impact your child's ability to receive treatment. Look for a dentist who has years of experience treating young patients. A family dentist can keep your child calm, easing any dental anxiety your child might experience.
Look for a Raleigh emergency dentist who offers a range of services. For example:
Regardless of the situation, you'll have peace of mind knowing the dentist has the expertise to help.
Before making a final decision, check with your dental insurance company. Determine if each dentist on your list falls under your plan. If not, ask the dental practice if they offer any financing options.
Determine how much their services will cost, too. Request an itemized list of all services they offer. Gather these estimates from more than one local practice.
Gathering prices from more than one practice will help you gauge the average price of services. If one dentist's pricing is higher than another's, determine why that is.
Don't make a decision based solely on price. Instead, review your notes to make an informed choice.
Having the name of a qualified emergency dentist in your pocket can give you peace of mind if there is an emergency. You can feel prepared while knowing a qualified dentist is caring for your family. Use these tips to find the best local dentist for the task.
Is a member of your family struggling with a dental emergency now? We can help.
Visit one of our seven convenient locations today to seek dental care.